Into a house in the hamlet of Islington where one lay sick — three witnesses

Say it was at ten of the clock in the morning and two say it was some minutes

Later — the sick man being alone at the time, and sleeping — and presently

The man came forth again, and went his way. The sick man died within the

hour, being torn with spasm and retchings.'

'Did any see the poison given? Was poison found?'

'Marry, no, my liege.'

'Then how doth one know there was poison given at all?'

'Please your majesty, the doctors testified that none die with such symptoms

but by poison.'

Weighty evidence, this — in that simple age. Tom recognized its formidable

nature, and said:

'The doctor knoweth his trade — belike they were right. The matter hath an

ill look for this poor man.'

'Yet was not this all, your majesty; there is more and worse. Many testified

That a witch, since gone from the village, none know whither, did foretell, and

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speak it privately in their ears, that the sick man would die by poison — and

More, that a stranger would give it — a stranger with brown hair and clothed

In a worn and common garb; and surely this prisoner doth answer woundily

To the bill. Please, your majesty, to give the circumstance that solemn weight

which is its due, seeing it was foretold. '