218 CHARGE AGAINST ROBERT 



the very custom of receiving poison into his body, 

 did overcome the poisons, that they wrought not 

 so fast ; therefore Overbury must be held in the 

 Tower. And as my lord of Somerset got him into 

 the trap, so he kept him in, and abused him with 

 continual hopes of liberty ; and diverted all the 

 true and effectual means of his liberty, and made 

 light of his sickness and extremities. 



Sixthly, That not only the plot of getting Over- 

 bury into the Tower, and the devices to hold him 

 and keep him there ; but the strange manner of his 

 close keeping, being in but for a contempt, was by 

 the device and means of my lord of Somerset, who 

 denied his father to see him, denied his servants that 

 offered to be shut up close prisoners with him ; and 

 in effect handled it so, that he was close prisoner 

 to all his friends, and open and exposed to all his 

 enemies. 



Seventhly, That the advertisement which my 

 lady received from time to time from the lieutenant 

 or Weston, touching Overbury s state of body or 

 health, were ever sent up to the court, though it 

 were in progress, and that from my lady : such a 

 thirst and listening this lord had to hear that he was 

 dispatched. 



Lastly, There was a continual negociation to set 

 Overbury s head on work, that he should make some 

 recognition to clear the honour of the lady; and 

 that he should become a good instrument towards 

 her and her friends : all which was but entertain 

 ment ; for your lordships shall plainly see divers of 



