(The), subs. phr. (old).—The gallows (B. E. and GROSE). Also THREE-LEGGED STOOL; THREE-CORNERED TREE; THREE-LEGGED MARE (also TWO-LEGGED MARE, and MARE WITH THREE LEGS), THE TYBURN TREE, and TRIPLE TREE: see NUBBING-CHEAT. [Executions at Tyburn were abandoned in 1783, and thenceforward (in London) till 1868 took place in front of Newgate: see quot. 1785.]

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  1582.  BRETON, The Toyes of an Idle Head, 28.

        For commonly, such knaues as these
Doe ende their lyves vpon THREE TREES.

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  1654.  Witt’s Recreations [NARES].

        And from the fruit of the THREE CORNER’D TREE,
Vertue and goodness still deliver me.

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  1685.  BROWN, Works, iv. 243.

        But if your Sadness does proceed from Fear
Of being mounted on a THREE-LEGG’D-MARE.

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  1694.  MOTTEUX, Rabelais, V. iv. Gaol birds … made to ride the TWO or THREE-LEGGED MARE that groans for them.

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  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. THREE-LEGGED MARE.… This clumsy machine has given place to an elegant contrivance called the new drop, by which the use of that vulgar vehicle, a cart, or mechanical instrument a ladder, is also avoided; the patients being left suspended by the dropping down of that part of the floor on which they stand. This invention was first made use of for a peer.

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  1834.  W. H. AINSWORTH, The Game of High Toby [Rookwood]. For the MARE-WITH-THREE-LEGS, boys, I care not a rap.

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  189[?].  W. E. HENLEY, Carmen Patibulare.

        TREE, Old TREE OF THE TRIPLE CROOK
  And the rope of the Black Election.

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