Murther most foul, as in the best it is; / But this most foul, strange, and unnatural.
1699, Robert Barret,A Companion for Midwives, Child-Bearing Women, and Nurses., London,Sect. I, Chapter I, p. 5:
We have some Inſtances of publick Puniſhment inflicted on ſuch Midwives, in the Neighbouring Kingdom ofFrance, for being acceſſory to themurtherboth of the Mother and Child.
In the meane time it chaunced, that Marcus Papyrius ſtroke one of the Galles on the heade with his ſtaffe, because he preſumed to ſtroke his bearde: with whiche iniurie the Gaulle beeing prouoked, ſlue Papyrius (as he ſate) with hys ſworde, and therewith the ſlaughter being begun with one, all the reſidue of thoſe auncient fatherly men as they ſat in theyr Chayres were ſlaine and cruellymurthered.
