coke Report15b hext v yeoman pasch Elizabeth in the king bench SC cite send  for Poph latch Bulst godb roll Rep salk vin Abr action p a pl trial king g pl  see the note and reference infra for my ground a h seek my life and if I can  find I S I do not doubt but within two day to arrest he for suspicion of  felony hold that the first word be not actionable but for the last word the  action lie because for suspicion of felony he may be imprison and his life  draw in question yeoman charge Hext then be a justice of peace for my ground  in Allerton Hext seek my life and if I can find John silver I do not doubt but  within two day to arrest Hext for suspicion of felony and it be adjudge that  for the first part of the word that for my ground in Allerton Hext seek my  life no action lie a for two reason because he may seek his life lawful upon  just cause and his land may be hold of he and so in a minor sensum b seek of  his life be too general and for seek so much no punishment be indict by the  law but for the b Tatter word it be adjudge that the action lie because for  suspicion of felony he shall be imprison and his life draw in question c a S p  vin Abr action p a pl see n b infra ED a   a a godb post b Poph roll Mod Rep  hut see ante p a n S infra n b b but the rule of construe word in mild sensum  be now supersede see ante p b n a and it be doubtful whether this point as  well as some of the other case report infra be law at this day what word be  actionable or not will be more satisfactory determine by a accurate  application of the general principle on which this action depend than by a  reference to adjudge case especial those in the more ancient author see Onslow  v horn will Com dig action case defamation f east east ante p a n S ED b Poph  latch Bulst godb see n c infra c S p vin Abr action p a pl and see the book  cite in n c sup ante p b n a in a action for word it be state in the  declaration that the plaintiff have live among his neighbour with credit and  reputation and without be suspect of felony and that the defendant in order to  charge he with the crime of felony false and malicious speak of the plaintiff  these false malicious and scandalous word videlicet that the plaintiff be in  Winchester gaol and be try for his life and will have be hang if it have not  be for Abraham legate for break farmer Atkins granary and steal his sack plea  not guilty after verdict for plaintiff it be move in arrest of judgement that  the word do not import any gild in the plaintiff be only a narrative of what  pass on the trial and rather tend to show the plaintiff be clear by the  evidence of legate than that he be guilty of any crime for which he deserve to  be hang but per Lord Hardwicke CJ the construction now make upon action for  word be very different from what it be former judge ancient to discourage  little frivolous action use their utmost endeavour to explain away the most  opprobrious word but this be certain wrong and as the character and reputation  of mankind be under the protection of the law as well as their estate we ought  to do equal justice to both and take care that neither the one nor the other  be injure the question then be whether the word speak do import any slander or  reproach for which a action lie to say a man have be in gaol and try for his  life be certain scandalous and that he will have be hang but for such a one do  natural import that he be save by some indirect mean and be cite the case of  Halley v Stanton cro car as a very coke report a er p