...thus : — " As to the said last count of the declaration, the defendant saith, that the plaintiff ought not to have or maintain his aforesaid action thereof against him the defendant, because he saith, that, before the writing and publishing of the said supposed libel,...

...these words : " And for further plea in this behalf, the said defendant says that the said plaintiff ought not to have or maintain his aforesaid action...thereof against him, because he says that the said defendant did not, at any time within three years next before the filing of the plaintiff's complaint,...