Page:A View of the State of Ireland - 1809.djvu/51

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VIEW OF THE STATE OF IRELAND.
35

her, as those landes would yeeld inhabitants and living unto.

Eudox. But doth many of that people (say you) make no more conscience to perjure themselves in their verdicts, and damne their soules?

Iren. Not onely so in their verdicts, but also in all other their dealings; especially with the English, they are most willfully bent: for though they will not seeme manifestly to doe it, yet will some one or other subtle-headed fellow amongst them put some quirke, or devise some evasion, whereof the rest will likely take hold, and suffer themselves easily to be led by him to that themselves desired. For in the most apparent matter that may bee, the least question or doubt that may bee mooved, will make a stoppe unto them, and put them quite out of the way. Besides, that of themselves (for the most part) [o 1] they are so cautelous and wylie-headed, especially being men of so small experience and practice in law matters, that you would wonder whence they borrow such subtiltyes and slye shifts.

Eudox. But mee thinkes this inconvenience might bee much helped in the Iudges and Chiefe Magistrates which have the choosing and nomination of those iurors, if they would have dared to appoint

  1. they are so cautelous] Cautious. See the Gloss. Urry's Chaucer, in V. Cautele. Todd.