Brewer's: Neck-verse

(Psalm li. 1). “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to They lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” This verse was so called because it was the trial-verse of those who claimed benefit of clergy; and if they could read it, the ordinary of Newgate said,

“Legit ut clericus, ” and the convict saved his neck, being only burnt in the hand and set at liberty.

If a clerk had been taken For stealing of bacon. For burglary, murder, or rape. If he could but rehearse (Well prompt) his neck-verse, He never could fail to escape.

British Apollo (1710).

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