If any man be taken upon committing of theft, he is imprisoned, and often
beaten, but not hanged for the first offence, as the manner is with us;
and this they call the law of mercy. He that offendeth the second time
hath his nose cut off, and is burnt in the forehead with a hot iron. The
third time he is hanged. There are many cut-purses among them, and if
the rigour of the prince did not cut them off, they could not be avoided.