Upon this was I laid in prison, should have been hanged, was brought
to the ladder, had made a ballad for my farewell in a readiness called
Wilton’s wantonness, and yet for all that scaped dancing in a hempen
circle. He that hath gone through many perils and returned safe from
them, makes but a merriment to dilate them. I had the knot under my
ear, there was fair play, the hangman had one halter, another about my
neck was fastened to the gallows, the riding device was almost thrust
home