Confess and be hanged

Confesse and be hangede man In English some saie.
[1589 ‘Misophonus’ De Caede Gallorum Regis A2^V]

Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief! To confess, and be hanged for his labour.
[1604 Shakespeare Othello iv. i. 37]

After so ample a Confession as he hath made, must he now be hang'd too to make good the Proverb?
[1672 Marvell Rehearsal Transprosed 74]

At the gallows!‥Confess and be hanged is a most reverend proverb.
[1821 Scott Pirate III. xii.]

‘People who commit high treason get hanged.’‥‘Very well, confess and be hanged!’
[1951 M. C. Barnes With all my Heart vii.]

Related to: confession

Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.