pursue them by their Foot-steppes, they went a cleane contrary Way, by Reason that the Horses were shodde backward: and when in vaine they had long pursued them, they returned, being never the Now Wallis used his Feate so long, that at length he was taken, and Two more with him: whereupon according to the Priviledge of the Towne, they put Halters about the Theeves Neckes presently to hang them up.

neere.

When they were come to the Place appointed, Wallis and the Rest being out of Hope to escape Death, prepared themselves patiently to suffer the Rigor of the Law. And therewith the Rest laying open the Lewdnesse of his Life, greviously lamenting for his Sinnes, at length commending their Soules to God, they yeelded their Bodies to the Grave, with which Sight the People were greatly mooved with Pity, because they had never seene Men come to hanging before: but when they should have been tyed up, Hodgekins willed one of his Neighbours to play the Hang-mans Part, who would not by any Meanes doe it, although he was a very poore Man, who for his Paines should have beene possest of all their Apparell. When he would not yeeld to the Office, one of those which had his Cloth stolen, was commanded to doe the Deed; but he

he in like Maner would not, saying: When I have the Skill to make a Man, I will hang a Man, if it chance my Workemanship doe not like me.

And thus from one to another, the Office of the Hang-man was posted off. At last a Rogue came by, whom they would have compelled to have done that Deed. Nay, my masters, qd. he, not so: but as you have got a Priviledge for the Towne, so you were best to procure a Commission to make a Hang-man, or else you are like to be without for me. Neighbor Hodgekins, quoth one, I pray you doe this Office your selfe, you have had most Losse, and therefore you should be the most ready to hang them your selfe. No, not I (quoth Hodgekins,) though my Losse were ten Times greater than it is; notwithstanding look which of these Theeves will take upon him to hang the other, shall have his Life saved, otherwise they shall all to Prison till I can provide a Hangman.

When Wallis saw the Matter brought to this Passe, he began stoutly to reply, saying, My Masters of the Towne of Halifax, though your Priviledge stretch to hang Men up presently that are found stealing of your Goods, yet it gives you no Warrant to imprison them till you provide them a Hangman: my selfe, with these my Fellowes, have here yeelded

our

our selves to satisfie the Law, and if it be not performed, the Fault is yours, and not ours, and therefore we humbly take our Leave: from the Gallowes the xviii of August. And with that he leapt from the Ladder, and hurl'd the Halter at Hodgekins Face.

When the Clothiers saw this, they knew not what to say, but taking them by the Sleeves, entreated to have their owne againe. Not so, qd. Wallis, you get not the Value of a Placke or a Bawby: we have stolne your Cloth, then why doe you not hang us? here we have made our selves ready, and if you will not hang us, chuse. A Plague upon you, quoth he, you have hindered me God knowes what: 1 made Account to dine this Day in Heaven, and you keepe me here on Earth, where there is not a Quarter of that good Cheare. The foule Evill take you all; I was fully provided to give the Gallowes a Boxe on the Eare, and now God knowes when I shall be in so good a Minde againe: and so he with the rest of his Companions departed.

When Hodgekins saw, that notwithstanding their Theevery, how they flowted at their Lenity, he was much mooved in Minde: and as he stood in his Dumps chewing his Cud, making his Dinner with a

Dish

Dish of Melancholy, a Gray Fryar reverently saluted him in this Sort: All haile, good-man Hodgekins, Happiness and Health be ever with you, and and to all Suppressors of lewd Livers, God send everlasting Joyes.

I am sorry, Good-man Hodgekins, that the great Priviledge which our King gave to this Towne, comes to no greater Purpose: better farre had it beene that it had never beene granted, then so lightly regarded: the Towne hath suffered through their owne Peevishnesse, an everlasting Reproch this Day, onely because foolish Pitty hath hindred Justice.

Consider, that Compassion is not to be had upon Theeves and Robbers: Pity onely appertaineth to the vertuous Sort, who are overwhelmed with the Waves of Misery and Mischance. What great Cause of Boldnesse have you given to bad Livers, by letting these Fellowes thus to escape, and how shall you now keepe your Goods in Safety, seeing you fulfill not the Law, which should be your Defence? never thinke that Theeves will make any Conscience to carry away your Goods, when they find them selves in no Danger of Death, who have more Cause to praise your Pity, then commend your Wisedome: wherefore in Time seeke to prevent the ensuing Evil.

For

For my owne Part, I have that Care of your Good, that I would worke all good Meanes for your Benefit, and yet not so much in respect of your Profit as for the Desire I have to uphold Justice, and seeing I find you and the Rest so womanish, that you could not find in your Hearts to hang a Theefe, I have devised how to make a Gin, that shall cut of their Heads without Mans Helpe, and if the King will allow thereof.

When Hodgekins heard this, he was somewhat comforted in Mind, and said to the Fryer, that if by his Cunning he would performe it, he would once againe make Sute to the King to have his Grant for the same. The Fryer willed him to have no Doubt in him: and so when he had devised it, he got a Carpenter to frame it out of Hand.

Hodgekins in the meane Time posted up to the Court, and told his Majesty that the Priviledge of Halifax was not worth a Pudding. Why so? said the King. Because, quoth Hodgekins, we can get never a Hangman to trusse our Theeves: but if it shall like your good Grace, (quoth he) there is a feate Fryer, that will make us a Device, which shall without the Hand of Man cut off the Cragges of of all such Carles, if your Majesty will please to allow thereof.

The