human
O my lord the King, an' thou canst pity the lost, have pity upon me! I am innocent--neither hath that wherewith I am charged been more than but lamely proved--yet I speak not of that; the judgment is gone forth against me and may not suffer alteration; yet in mine extremity I beg a boon, for my doom is more than I can bear. A grace, a grace, my lord the King! in thy royal compassion grant my prayer--give commandment that I be hanged!
gpt
Odds my life, a strange BOON! Was it not the fate intended thee?
human
O good my liege, not so! It is ordered that I be BOILED ALIVE!
gpt
Have thy wish, poor soul! an' thou had poisoned a hundred men thou shouldst not suffer so miserable a death.
human
If ever thou shouldst know misfortune--which God forefend!--may thy goodness to me this day be remembered and requited!
gpt
My lord, is it believable that there was warrant for this man's ferocious doom?
human
It is the law, your Grace--for poisoners. In Germany coiners be boiled to death in OIL--not cast in of a sudden, but by a rope let down into the oil by degrees, and slowly; first the feet, then the legs, then--
gpt
O prithee no more, my lord, I cannot bear it! cried Tom, covering his eyes with his hands to shut out the picture.
human
I beseech your good lordship that order be taken to change this law--oh, let no more poor creatures be visited with its tortures.