206 CHARGE AGAINST ROBERT 



world by law is concluded to say, that Overbury was 

 impoisoned by Weston. 



But the question before you is of the procure 

 ment only, and of the abetting, as the law termeth 

 it, as accessary before the fact : which abetting is no 

 more but to do or use any act or means, which may 

 aid or conduce unto the impoisonment. 



So that it is not the buying or making of the 

 poison, or the preparing, or confecting, or commix 

 ing of it, or the giving or sending or laying the poi 

 son, that are the only acts that do amount unto abet 

 ment. But if there be any other act or means done 

 or used to give the opportunity of impoisonment, or 

 to facilitate the execution of it, or to stop or divert 

 any impediments that might hinder it, and this be 

 with an intention to accomplish and achieve the im 

 poisonment ; all these are abetments, and accessa 

 ries before the fact. I will put you a familiar exam 

 ple. Allow there be a conspiracy to murder a man 

 as he journeys by the way, and it be one man s part 

 to draw him forth to that journey by invitation, or 

 by colour of some business ; and another takes upon 

 him to dissuade some friend of his, whom he had a 

 purpose to take in his company, that he be not too 

 strong to make his defence ; and another hath the 

 part to go along with him, and to hold him in talk 

 till the first blow be given : all these, my lords, 

 without scruple are abettors to this murder, though 

 none of them give the blow, nor assist to give the 

 blow. 



My lords, he is not the hunter alone that lets 



