No mercy will I show; He took the knife all from his side, And pierced her body through. But still she smiling said to him, While trembling with fear, Ah! William, William, spare my life; Think on your baby dear. Twice more then with the bloody knife He ran her body through, Her throat was cut from ear to ear, Most dreadful for to view; Her hands and arms and beauteous face He cut and mangled sore, While down upon her milk white breast The crimson blood did pour. He took the shawl from off her neck, And round her body tied, With pebble stones he did it fill, Thinking the crime to hide. O then into the silver stream He plunged her straightway, But with her precious blood was stained, Which soon did him betray. O then this young man taken was, And into prison sent, In ratling chains he is confin’d, His crime for to lament, Until the Assizes do come on When trembling he must stand, Reflecting on the deed he’s done; Waiting the dread command. Now all you thoughtless young men A timely warning take; Likewise ye fair young maidens, For this poor damsel’s sake. And Oh beware of flattering tongues, For they’ll your ruin prove; So may you crown your future day, In comfort, joy, and love. Printed at J. Pitts, Wholesale Toy and Marble Warehouse, 6, Great St. Andrew Street, Seven Dials. THE CONFESSION AND EXECUTION OF JOHN THURTELL AT HERTFORD GAOL, On Friday, the 9th of January, 1824. THE EXECUTION. _Hertford, half-past twelve o’clock._ This morning, at ten minutes before twelve, a bustle among the javelin-men stationed within the boarded enclosure on which the drop was erected, announced to the multitude without that the preparations for the execution were nearly concluded. The javelin-men proceeded to arrange themselves in the order usually observed upon these melancholy but necessary occurrences. They had scarcely finished their arrangements, when the opening of the gate of the prison gave an additional impulse to public anxiety. When the clock was on the stroke of twelve, Mr Nicholson, the Under-Sheriff, and the executioner ascended the platform, followed on to it by Thurtell, who mounted the stairs with a slow but steady step. The principal turnkey of the gaol came next, and was followed by Mr Wilson and two officers. On the approach of the prisoner being intimated by those persons who, being in an elevated situation, obtained the first view of him, all the immense multitude present took off their hats.