THE RHYMED CHRONICLE OF JOHN HARESTAFFE. 



Broughton & Banks lykevvyse and other moe, 

 Which in this cause had aine thinge to doe : 

 And by Injunction straitly theim comaund 

 To alter noe estate of aine lande 

 W ch at that tyme remained in their hand. 



Then they suggest against the foremost three, 



They had combyn'd together cunninglie, 



Contryvynge to themselves in secresie 



Dyvers estates, against all equitie 



Intendinge to defraud the Ward of all 



Which by her Uncle's death to her did fall : 



And manie other things they doe suggest, 



To little purpose here to be exprest, 



All w ch by these Defendants readilie 



Upon their oaths were answer'd faithfullye 



As they concerned theim respectivelye. 



Then certaine cunninge questions they devyse, 



T' intrappe theim if they could in aniewyse, 



Intergatories clarks such questions call, 



Which lykewyse on their oaths they answer'd all. 



Some three & twentie were y e wydowes taske, 

 And Harstaffe fyve and fiftie they did aske, 

 But Atkinson examin'd was to more 

 Which were but onlie three short of four score, 

 Whose Answers and their Depositions all 

 Agreeinge in one truth, gave comfort small 

 Unto their Opposites. Yet they goe on, 

 Workinge all meanes of molestation. 

 Therby to make a fearfull woman yealde, 

 And be unable such a cause to wield : 

 Knowinge her debtes alreadie were not small, 

 For charges of her husband's funerall. 

 And for to further this their bad intent, 

 They had alreadie barr'd her of the rent 



