During the daies allotted him for his preparation, he mad
severall attempts, with promise of a good summ of money
(700 pounds first and last) to perswade his Keeper to permitt
him to escape, and that not being yielded to, he tempted
him to procure him some Poyson; and not prevailing with
him, he sollicited his own sister (who was permitted to attend
him) to the same purpose.
On Friday, the 13 instant, betwixt seven and eight a clock
at night, the writ being brought and read unto him, for his
execution the next day, he trembled and quaked very much
at the apprehension of death, as was visible to them that were
present, yet said, he was not so much-troubled at death as at
the infamous manner of it.
What hapned afterward is as followeth; Immediatly upon
this sad News, his sister was heard to say in the house below
stairs, that nothing troubled her so much, as that he should be
hanged, &c. but she had rather see him die before he went out
of that Room.
He having discoursed a little with the men in his chamber
(which were about four or five to attend him) called
for a Blble, and having read a little while, he then desired
them to withdraw out of the room for about half an hour,
that he might have liberty to pray alone The Attendants
withdrew, and putting the doore too, they stood there at the
top of the stairs; but before the half houre was over, he came
himself to the doore, and pulling it open, bade them come in,
in a cheerfull manner, rubbing his hands together, and then
about his mouth and his nose, saying, I have done, and now
pray you come in. Not long after, he undressed himself, and
springing lively into Bed, well (said he:) this is the last night
that ever I shall lie in Bed. Being in Bed, he had some discourse
a while with the company, without any signe of sicknes.
Then drawing his Curtain, and lying a while silen,
and afterwards snorting, one of the company observing [unr],
went and drew the Curtain gently to look on him, and found
him in a dying sen[unr]s condition. All wries were used to