Save a thief from the gallows, and he'll hang thee if he can: or, The merciful father, and the merciless son. To the tune of, Fortune my foe, &c.

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Accession number: 
PML 3469.72
Published: 
London : printed by and for W. O[nley]. and are to be sold by the booksellers, [1700?]
Description: 
1 sheet ([1] page) : illustrations (woodcut) ; 27 x 35 cm
Notes: 

Anonymous. According to an edition dated [1618?] by STC, written by George Saunders 1 January 1616.
Printer's name from Wing CD-ROM.
Includes: The confession and repentance of George Saunders, gent. late of Hugh [sic], in the county of Hertford, who killed his own uncle, and accused his own father for the murther, but by God's providence being discover'd, dyed for the same; and in prison wrote this song with his own hand. To the same tune, &c.
First part of the text printed in two columns in black letter; with "The Confession and Repentance of George Sanders Gent. / late of Hugh, in the County of Hertford, who killed his own Uncle, and accused / his own Father for the Murther, but by God's providence being discover'd, dyed / for the same, and in wrote this Song with his own hand. To the same Tune &c." in two columns at right; with "His Repentence in Prison" printed in roman type.
Illustrated with two woodcuts, one (at left) showing an execution scene with an older, bearded man (Saunders sr.) being strung-up from a gallows as a younger man (George Saunders) leaps up from the crowd to intervene; and the other (at right) showing a man chained in prison, saying "Lord bring my soul out of prison psal. 142", as a another man looks in through a barred window at far right.

Variant Title: 

Save a thiefe from the gallowes and he'll hang thee if he can

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