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1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique iii. f. 103 Beinge a slaue to his master (who hadde power of life & deathe ouer him) he was condempned to be cast to the wylde beastes at Rome.

1565 A. Golding tr. Caesar Martiall Exploytes in Gallia i. f. 12 An offyce that lasteth but from yere to yere, and for the tyme hath absolute power of life and deathe.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxi. 109 We are not to understand, that by such Liberty, the Soveraign Power of life, and death, is either abolished, or limited.

1690 T. Betterton Prophetess ii. i. 22 As a sign We give him absolute power of Life, and Death, Bind this Sword to his Side.

1730 J. Thomson Sophonisba ii. ii. 20 A captive, O'er whom the Gods, thy Fortune, and thy Virtue, Have given unquestion'd power of life and death.

1753 J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea I. li. 336 The Begler-begs have the power of life and death, as have also those Sardares, who are on the frontiers.

1798 H. Brand Huniades iv. iii. 83 Three days I give the Town to their sole pillage; With power of life and death o'er ev'ry citizen.

1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian xi, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. I. 309 The people take the power of life and death out of the hands of the rightful magistrate into their ain rough grip.

1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. iii. viii. 719 (note) The power of life and death, which by martial law belonged to the Lord High Admiral.

1929 Travel Jan. 16/1 So say the cards of the tarrot, the cards that have the power of life and death among my people.

1994 A. Theroux Primary Colors 221 The fasces, a bundle of elm rods coupled with an axe, symbolizing in ancient Rome a consul's powers of life and death..is always bound by a red cord.