EARL OP SOMERSET. 217 



sists in acts preparatory to the middle acts, they are 

 in eight several points of the compass, as I may 

 term it. 



First, That there were devices and projects to 

 dispatch Overbury, or to overthrow him, plotted 

 between the countess of Somerset, the earl of Somer 

 set, and the earl of Northampton, before they fell 

 upon the impoisonment : for always before men fix 

 upon a course of mischief, there be some rejections : 

 but die he must one way or other. 



Secondly, That my lord of Somerset was a prin 

 cipal practiser, I must speak it, in a most perfidious 

 manner, to set a train or trap for Overbury to get 

 him into the Tower ; without which they never 

 durst have attempted the impoisonment. 



Thirdly, That the placing of the lieutenant 

 Helwisse, one of the impoisoners, and the dis 

 placing of Waade, was by the means of my lord of 

 Somerset. 



Fourthly, That the placing of Weston the un- 

 derkeeper, who was the principal impoisoner, and 

 the displacing of Gary, and the doing of all this 

 within fifteen days after Overbury s commitment,was 

 by the means and countenance of my lord of Somer 

 set. And these two were the active instruments 

 of the impoisonment : and this was a business that 

 the lady s power could not reach unto. 



Fifthly, That because there must be a time for 

 the tragedy to be acted, and chiefly because they 

 would not have the poisons work upon the sudden ; 

 and for that the strength of Overbury s nature, or 



