The Prince and The Pauper by Mark Twain Chapter 15 Page 14

Tom turned to the Earl of Hertford, and said —

“My lord, is it believable that there was warrant for this man’s ferocious doom?”

“It is the law, your Grace — for poisoners.

In Germany coiners be boiled to death in oil — not cast in of a sudden, but by a rope let down into the oil by degrees, and slowly; first the feet, then the legs, then — ”

“O prithee no more, my lord, I cannot bear it!” cried Tom, covering his eyes with his hands to shut out the picture. “I beseech your good lordship that order be taken to change this law — oh, let no more poor creatures be visited with its tortures.”

The Earl’s face showed profound gratification, for he was a man of merciful and generous impulses —