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those who pronounced it were dead. Being presented at the bar, he demanded for what offence he was proceeded against. Answer was made it was his Majesty's pleasure to take his ife for the first, and that the cause of his coming again to the bar now, was to declare the former condemnation to stand still in force. He offered to speak somewhat for himself, but it was not permitted. The attorney told him that he had lived like a star, and like a star must fall when it troubled the firmament. There he was delivered into the sheriff's charge, and by him carried from thence to the Gate-house, and the day following, (which was by all good tokens the lord-mayor's day) in the Old Palace-yard executed. His warning was short, for he had no word to prepare himself for death till that very morning he was convened before the judge. He sued for four or five days longer, under pretence of having somewhat to communicate with his Majesty by writing, for his behoof and service, which in so short a time could not be performed; and something I hear he hath written to the king to that purpose. Yet it was conceived as a device to gain time, that his friends might the more effectually intercede for his pardon; so as that suit would not be granted. Thereupon he prepared himself for death. The dean of Westminster visited him, and after some conference between them two, he at his hands received the sacrament, and the night before his execution made his own epicedium, or funeral song, which I have here sent you.

He had the favour to die a gentleman's death, and to be beheaded. His end was, by the general report of all that were present, very christian like, and so full of resolution as moved all men to pity and wonder. In going from the prison to the scaffold, among others that thronged about to see him, one old man that was bald pressed very forward, insomuch as Sir Walter Ralegh took notice of him, and asked him whether he would have aught of him? To whom the old man answered, 'Nothing but to see him, and to pray God to have mercy upon his soul.' I thank thee, good friend, replied Sir Walter, and I am sorry I

have no better thing to return thee for thy good will; but take this night-cap, (which was a very rich one that he wore, for he had had two fits of a fever,) for thou hast more need of it now than I.

• Being come to the scaffold, he saw the lords seated in a place that was provided for them, somewhat far off, and fear ing lest his voice should not well reach them, desired them that they would approach, because what he had then to say he wished the whole world should take notice of; and so they did, and heard a most grave, Christian, and elegant discourse, as they commonly qualify it. In it he laboured to clear himself from three main aspersions. The first, of atheism, which he did, by a worthy profession of his faith, and profession of his hope to be saved thereby. The second was concerning my lord of Essex's death, whom he was reported to have insulted upon at his death, taking tobacco in a bravery before his face, and to have procured and practised his ruin. Against both which he solemnly protested, adding farther, that he acknowledged indeed himself to be of a contrary faction, because my lord of Essex had refused him, whom he first sought; but that he was so far from triumphing at his death, as he never was more affected with grief for any man's, and expressed the same with tears, to his prejudice in the opinion and friendship, as it proved afterward, of the adverse party. The third was concerning these last occasions, wherein he stood charged with a dislegal intention in the voyage he undertook, and with four other accusations since his return. The former seemed ground. ed upon a report that went, of great sums of money which he secretly transported with him, to the value of £10,000, and the extraordinary provision of artillery he carried with him ; both which he satisfied, by shewing the falsehood of the first (all his store not exceeding the sum of 150 pieces, whereof he sent back part to his wife), and the necessity of the second, in regard of the Spaniard, upon whose friendship he had no rea son to presume.

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Touching the other accusations, they all respected Sir Lewis Stukely as their author, whom he professed, by the way, to forgive with all his heart, but yet thought fit to disenchanter the world, both the better to justify himself, and to teach every man how to trust to him. And whereas he first accused him to have practised with the French agent about his escape, he protested that he never saw him but once, in the gallery at Whitehall, before he undertook his voyage; neither ever had aught to do with him since. Secondly, whereas Stukely charged him to have offered him £10,000 if he would consent unto his escape, he likewise therein proclaimed him false, sith his largest promises in that kind never exceeded the payment of Stukely's debts, which he confessed to have undertaken for him. Thirdly, whereas the said Stukely accused him to have laid to Sir Edward Parham's charge, (where he was entertained in coming-up to London), the poisoning of him, he took his death upon it, that it was most calumnious. He used, indeed, art to counterfeit a poisoning upon himself, which he thought was warranted by David's example, who feigned himself in a case of like danger mad; but that he ever fathered it upon him, who had ever been his noble and worthy friend, he utterly disavowed it, under a solemn execration. Lastly, whereas his accuser testified against him that he had for his encouragement to give way to his escape, assured him that my lord of Doncaster and Lord Carew were privy to the design, and favourers of it, he assured the contrary, under a deep oath; adding, that he knew well how fearful and dangerous a thing it was to call God as a witness to a lie at any time, much more at the hour of a man's death; but he had herein satisfied the obligation of a good conscience.

This done, he embraced all the lords and other of his friends there present, with such courtly compliments of dis course as if he had met them at some feast. They then clear. ed the scaffold, which being done, he takes up the axe, and feels the edge, and finding it sharp for the purpose, this is that

saith he, that will cure all sorrows, and so kissing it, laid it down again. After that he went to the three several corners of the scaffold, and kneeling down, desired all the people to pray for him, and conceived a long prayer to himself. Then he began to fit himself for the block, without permitting any help; and first laid himself down to try how the block fitted him. After rising up, the executioner kneeled down, and desired him to forgive him, which, with an embrace, he professed he did; but intreated him not to strike till he gave a token, by lifting up his hand; and then fear not, said he, but strike home. So he laid himself down to receive the stroke, and the hangman directed him to lay his face toward the east. No matter how the head lie, answered he, so the heart be right. After he had lain a little while upon the block, conceiving some prayers to himself, he gave the watchword, and the executioner, it seems, not minding it, he called aloud unto him, asking him why he did not strike. Strike, man, said he; and so, in two blows, was delivered from his pain.

In all the time he was upon the scaffold, nor before, there appeared not the least alteration in him, either in his voice or countenance; but he seemed as free from all manner of apprehension, as if he had been come thither rather to be a spectator than a sufferer; nay, the beholders seemed much more sens ible than did he. So that he hath purchased here in the opi nion of men such honour and reputation, as it is thought his greatest enemies are they that are most sorrowful for his death, which they see is like to turn so much to his advantage. Stukely notwithstanding hath been at court since, offering to his Majesty, by way of his own justification, to take the sacra ment upon it, that what he laid to Sir Walter Ralegh's charge was true; and to produce two other witnesses, free from all exception, that would do the like. Why then, replied his Majesty, the more malicious he to utter those speeches at his death. But Sir Thomas Badger, who stood by and heard it, let the king, said he, take off Stukeley's head, as he hath done the other's, VOL. II.

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and let him at his death take the sacrament and his oath upon it, and I'll believe him; but otherwise I shall credit Sir Walter Ralegh's bare affirmative before a thousand of his oaths. And it is strange to see how every man in court declines that Stukeley's company as treacherous.'

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No. XXI.

A DECLARATION OF THE DEMEANOUR AND CARRIAGE OF SIR WALTER RALEGH, KNIGHT, AS WELL IN HIS VOYAGF, AS IN AND SITHENCE HIS RETURN; AND OF the TRUE MOTIVES AND INDUCEMENTS WHICH OCCASIONED HIS MAJESTY TO PROCEED IN DOING JUSTICE UPON HIM AS HATH BEEN DONE.

(London, printed by BONHAM NORTON, and JOHN BILL, printers to the King's most excellent Majesty, 1618.)

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Although kings be not bound to give account of their actions to any but God alone, yet such are his Majesty's proceedings, as he hath alway been willing to bring them before sun and moon, and careful to satisfy all his good people with his intentions and courses, giving, as well to future times as to the present, true and undisguised declarations of them; as judging, that for actions not well founded, it is advantage to let them pass in uncertain reports; but for actions that are built upon sure and solid grounds, (such as his Majesty's are) it, belongeth to them, to be published by open manifests; especially as his Majesty is willing to declare and manifest to the world, his proceedings in a case of such a nature as this which followeth is, since it not only concerns his own people, but also a foreign prince and state abroad.

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