Grocott & Ward, comps. Grocott’s Familiar Quotations, 6th ed. 189-?.
Malefactors
My name is Elbow; I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honour two notorious benefactors.
2.Are they not malefactors?
1.I know not well what they are: but precise villains they are, that I am sure of; and void of all profanation in the world, that good Christians ought to have.
Shakespeare.—Measure for Measure, Act II. Scene 1. (Elbow to Angelo.)