530 THE TRIAL SCENE FROM QUEEN ANNE BOLEYXT. 



And standard pitch your excellence describes,, 



Hath never taken evil to its core 



Ne'er felt a passion that 'twas sin to love, 



And never, never shamed the mother and the wife. 



Tell me beseech ye, speak unsay those libels, 



That curdle sickening fevers thro' my blood ; 



Assure me I am quit of their oppression, 



And I will pray Oh ! fervent, constant pray for ye, 



Morning and night on earth, and when life's o'er, 



Climb with an orison for you to Heaven, 



And bear the grateful burthen thro' eternity ! 



Audely. Madam, we much commiserate vour distress, 

 But these things are all duly sworn to, 

 And unrefuted by sound testimony ; 

 My Lords are loyally constrained to judgment. 



North. I could desire a more distinct impeachment ; 

 Can we not have the men to test this guilt, 

 Or what they would make such here face to face 

 Before the accused, which I take to be 

 Our common law, and birthright in this land ? 



Norf. My Lords, I take it to be clear, that men 

 Of capital offences now convicted 

 Can bear no witness. 



Audely. Such is the law. 



Norf. You hear the head and oracle of the law ; 

 We bring not those bad men before you 

 That were unlawful but we bring ye proofs, 

 The verdicts and records of other Courts, 

 That they were tried and lawfully attainted 

 Of the very treasons which the Queen is called 

 To answer for. Duke of Northumberland, 

 When she was fairest, you would have taken her 

 For yourself; now she is blown upon, 

 Would your Grace fasten her upon the throne ? 

 Methought not I should have to learn from you, 

 How the King's peers, protectors of the Crown, 

 Can stand out, and create new difficulties, 

 To bar the sove'reign Prince from justice. 



North. Lord Duke, I thank you for that hint. My presence 

 Shall create no difficulties in your cause. 

 Heaven help our homes, when loyalty divides 

 Our hearts so keenly, we can hardly say 

 Which way our duty lies. \_Exit Northumberland. 



Anne. Oh God, reward him ! 



Norf. How say you to this charge, George Viscount Rochford 



Rochf. I am bound to speak, howe'er it help me little. 

 I see I am to die for what plain reason, 

 Save that the King desires it should be so, 

 None can advance ; for sure the monstrous bent 

 And fashion of your inquisition here, 

 The' unlikely bulk, and malice palpable 



