Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 AFter him came th'administration of the realme Ferguse. 767. vnto Ferguse the third, the sonne of king Eth|fine, in the yéere 767, who being established in the same, began fréelie to practise all kinds of vices, which most abundantlie reigned in him, howbeit till Ferguse the third created king. that day woonderfullie dissembled and kept couert. He séemed to striue how to passe his predecessor in all points of wickednesse. He tooke no regard at all A wicked prince. to the gouernement of his realme, but gaue himselfe to excessiue gluttonie, in deuouring of delicate meats and drinks, and there with kept such a num|ber of vile strumpets in house with him, whome hée vsed as concubines, that his wife was no better e|stéemed than as an handmaid, or rather a kitchen|maid. Who being a woman of great modestie, and sober aduisednesse, could not yet but take sore gréefe and indignation hereat: and therefore sundrie times assaied by way of wholesome persuasions, to turne his mind from such sinfull vsages and filthie trade of liuing.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 Finallie, when she saw there was no hope to con|uert his depraued mind, nor by anie meanes to re|forme him, but that the more she laboured to doo good EEBO page image 119 vpon him, the woorse he was, through verie displea|sure of such iniuries as she dailie susteined at the [...]. Ferg [...] the third strangled by [...]s wife. hands of his concubines, shée found meanes to strangle him secretlie one night as he lay in bed, choosing rather to be without a husband, than to haue one that should deceiue hir of the right and dutie of mariage; and that in such sort, as she must be faine to suffer the reproch dailie before hir face, being mis|used of them whom he kept as paramours in most despitefull maner. The day after she wrought this feat, the bodie being found dead, was apparelied in funerail wise, and brought foorth vnto the place of iudgement, where inquisition was stre [...]ctlie made what they were that had done so heinous a déed. For though there were but few that lamented his death, yet some of his friends were verie earnest to haue the matter tried foorth, that such as had committed the murther might suffer due punishment.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 4 Manie were apprehended and had to the racke, but yet could none be found that would confesse it. Suspicious persons are [...]cked. The quéene was void of all suspicion, as she that had béene taken for a woman at all times of great tem|perancie. But yet, when she heard that a num|ber of innocent persons were tormented without de|sert, sore lamenting (as should appeare) their misera|ble case, she came hastilie into the iudgement hall, and getting hir aloft vpon the bench, there, in the pre|sence The quéene confessed the [...]urther. of all the companie, she had these or the like words vnto the whole assemblie.

I know not (good people) I know not what god mooueth me, or what diuine reuengement vexeth mée with sundrie thoughts and cogitations; that of all this day and morning preceding, I haue had neither rest in bo|die nor mind. And verelie when I heard that cer|teine guiltlesse persons were cruellie tormented here in your presence; had not wrath giuen place, partlie vnto modestie, whereof I must confesse there is left but a small portion in me. I had foorthwith rid my selfe out of the way. The kings death was mine act. Conscience constreineth me (setting apart mine owne safegard) to confesse the truth, least the guiltlesse should wrongfullie perish: therfore vnder|stand ye for truth, that none of them whom ye haue examined are priuie to the offense. I verelie am she, that with these wicked hands haue strangled this night last past Ferguse, about whose death I sée you in trouble, moued so to doo with two as sharpe pricks as may re [...] in a woman, to wit, impatient forbea|ring of carnall lust, & irefull wrath. Ferguse by his continuall vsing of concubines, kept from me the due debt that the husband oweth to the wife: wherevpon when there was no hope to reconcile him with often aduertisements, vehement force of anger rising in my hart, droue me to doo so wicked a déed. I thought rather therefore to dispatch the adulterer, than (being destitute of my husband, & defrauded of all quéenelie honor) to liue still subiect to the perpetuall iniuries of such lewd women as he kept & vsed in my stead. She giueth hir owne sentence. Loose yée therefore those that be accused of the kings death, & as for me ye shall not néed to procéed against me as guiltie of the crime by order of law: for I that was so bold to commit so heinous an act, will accor|dingly doo execution vpon my selfe euen here incon|tinentlie in presence of you all: what honor is due to the dead, looke you to that.