speake, if I had any thing to say for my selfe, but I could in no wise
utter any word at all for weeping. And on the other side I esteemed not
so much his rigorous accusation, as I did consider myne owne miserable
conscience. Howbeit, beeing inspired by divine Audacity, at length I gan
say, Verily I know that it is an hard thing for him that is accused to
have slaine three persons, to perswade you that he is innocent, although
he should declare the whole truth, and confesse the matter how it was
indeed, but if your honours will vouchsafe to give me audience, I will
shew you, that if I am condemned to die, I have not deserved it as myne
owne desert, but that I was mooved by fortune and reasonable cause to
doe that fact. For returning somewhat late from supper yester night
(beeing well tippled with wine, which I will not deny) and approaching
nigh to my common lodging, which was in the house of one Milo a Citisen
of this city, I fortuned to espy three great theeves attempting to break
down his walls and gates, and to open the locks to enter in. And when
they had removed the dores out of the hookes, they consulted amongst
themselves, how they would handle such as they found in the house. And
one of them being of more courage, and of greater stature than the
rest, spake unto his fellows and sayd, Tush you are but boyes, take mens
hearts unto you, and let us enter into every part of the house, and such
as we find asleep let us kill, and so by that meanes we shall escape
without danger. Verily ye three Judges, I confess that I drew out my
sword against those three Citizens, but I thought it was the office and
duty of one that beareth good will to this weale publique, so to doe,
especially since they put me in great fear, and assayed to rob and spoyl
my friend Milo. But when those cruell and terrible men would in no case
run away, nor feare my naked sword, but boldly resist against me, I
ran upon them and fought valiantly. One of them which was the captain
invaded me strongly, and drew me by the haire with both his hands, and
began to beat me with a great stone: but in the end I proved the hardier