Epigram 13: The deuill take bribery

A Man atach't for murdring of a man
Vnto the for-man of his lury sent,
Two score angels, begging what he can,
He would his conscience straine, law to preuent:
That his offences Iudge, might iudge no further
But make man slaughter of his wilfull murther:
The verduict was manslaughter to the Iudge,
The Iudge demanded how it could be so?
The for-man said his conscience much did grudge:
But forty angels did perswade him no,
Well quoth the Iudge this case shall murther be,
If halfe those angels, not appeare to me.
Thus when the law men to confusion driues,
The godlesse angels will preserue their liues.