214 CHARGE AGAINST ROBERT 



precedent to the imprisonment, the third is pre 

 sent, and the fourth is following or subsequent. 

 For it is in proofs as it is in lights, there is a di 

 rect light, and there is a reflexion of light, or back 

 light. 



The first head or proof thereof is, That there 

 was a root of bitterness, a mortal malice or hatred, 

 mixed with deep and bottomless fears, that you had 

 towards Sir Thomas Overbury. 



The second is, That you were the principal actor, 

 and had your hand in all those acts, which did con 

 duce to the impoisomnent, and which gave op 

 portunity and means to effect it ; and without 

 which the impoisomnent could never have been, 

 and which could serve or tend to no other end but 

 to the impoisonment. 



The third is, That your hand was in the very 

 impoisonment itself, which is more than needs to be 

 proved ; that you did direct poison ; that you did 

 deliver poison ; that you did continually hearken to 

 the success of the impoisonraent ; and that you 

 spurred it on, and called for dispatch when you 

 thought it lingered. 



And lastly, That you did all the things after the 

 impoisonment, which may detect a guilty conscience, 

 for the smothering of it, and avoiding punishment 

 for it : which can be but of three kinds ; That you 

 suppressed, as much as in you was, testimony : That 

 you did deface, and destroy, and clip and misdate 

 all writings that might give light to the impoison 

 ment ; and that you did fly to the altar of guiltiness, 



