+---+------------------------------------------------------------+---+ | 63| 1558. | C | | | March. |[+]| +---+------------------------------------------------------------+---+ | | | | | | | | | 28| When that JOHN DEWNESHE and HUGH FOXE, | | | |In Smithfield, cruel death sustained, | | | |As fixed foes to Romish rocks; | | | 28|And CUTHBERT SYMSON also slain. | | | |When these did worthily receive their death, | | | | We wished for our ELIZABETH. | | | | | | +---+------------------------------------------------------------+---+ | | | 7 | +---+ +---+ A comparison of this Stanza, with its fellow at page 167, will show our method of reproducing this text.] * * * * * _In primus_, the figures, which are always four in number, are placed in the middle of the two strykes [_strokes, or rules_], which go between the verses, within two short strikes; signify the year wherein those persons were slain under them contained. And where you see a little cross, [+], on the outside of the outmost line, it signifieth the changing of the year [_i.e., on the 25th March_], as from 1554 to 1555; and in such manner. The letters which stand in the little square place, on the right side of the book, signified the month wherein they died; and for the plainer understanding thereof I have used twelve letters, for the twelve months: that is, A, for January; B, for February; C, for March; D, for April; E, for May; F, for June; G, for July; H, for August; I, for September; K, for October; L, for November; M, for December. But where one letter standeth in the little square place; and another is placed under it between the two lines before the verse be ended; it signified the changing of the month: so that the person or persons, where against the letter so changed doth stand, was put to death in that month which that letter doth signify. And whereas, in the third Verse [_or Stanza, p_. 154], and nowhere else, there standeth figures on the right side, between the two lines; that giveth to understand that HUNTER, HIGBYE, PICKET, and KNIGHT, which are placed in one line, were burnt at three sundry days.