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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: He had rejected the confessor provided by the sheriff, and had insisted on
the privilege of choosing his own, whom Little John had promised to bring.
Little John, however, had not made his appearance when the fatal
procession began its march; but when they reached the place of execution,
Little John appeared, accompanied by a ghostly friar.
"Sheriff," said young Gamwell, "let me not die with my hands pinioned:
give me a sword, and set any odds of your men against me, and let
me die the death of a man, like the descendant of a noble house,
which has never yet been stained with ignominy."
"No, no," said the sheriff; "I have had enough of setting odds against you.
I have sworn you shall be hanged, and hanged you shall be."
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