THE TRIAL SCENE FROM QUEEN ANNE BOLEYN. 531 



Of stretch'd invention,, and conjectures wrested, 



Shall, by reflecting men, be rated earnests 



Of inveterate falsehood. How much death's my due, 



For manifold offences to my Maker, 



My soul being honest, I dare not deny. 



Yet am I bold to say, nor this, nor other 



Bond, chastisement, or vengeance, should fall on me 



From the King. Him I have diligently served, 



Loved with an earnest heart, and never slighted 



And thus I lose my head. Here's my requital : 



Favours and grace his Highness oft hath done me 



I own them freely ; and holding thankfulness 



A solemn debt, no time can wholly pay ; 



Even at this crisis I vent no reproaches. 



Could I have my wish long, long the King should live, 



And, for the weal of this our merry land, 



I'd pray that life should always be a good one. 



Norf. Now hath your Highness further point to urge, 

 Why these oath-laden proofs should not decide us ? 



Anne. Is it even so, and must I only turn 

 For justice or for mercy to my God ? 

 Amen, so be'it, man's wrath hath spit its venom. 

 Here, unbefriended, in extremest need 

 Prejudg'd to death on most unworthy slander 

 Confronted nowhere with the accuser, 

 But on the frighted oaths of dying men, 

 Amidst the conflict of despair and hope, 

 Prone to give voice to any tale of fear, 

 Surrendered to the craft of hooded villains ; 

 I leave the iniquity this day completes 

 Less on my wiltlessness than on your Lordship's ; 

 I leave the shame of English law this hour, 

 A quest for better times to vindicate, 

 And hold defence herein beneath my honour ! 

 Cold and forbidding as the miser's look, 

 Denying charity, your eyes bespeak 

 The stern undoing by this ordeal sought. 

 But if yet honesty remains, as sure it doth, 

 The wickedness of this day shall be measured 

 On ye, proud Lords deep, deep, on ye and yours ! 

 I have done you are but mortal men, bear not 

 A more than mortal hatred. I am innocent ! 

 Judge on a patient sufferer waits your sentence. 



Norf. Thus far the nature of this stubborn guilt, 

 The evidence in form to bring it home, 

 And, what the accused durst for themselves put forth, 

 Have duly by my Lords been entertained. 

 'Tis left that one and all we now pronounce 

 What sentence 'tis the premises demand. 



Audely. My Lords, I move that we retire. 



Peers. Aye, aye. 



[Norfolk and Peers retire to consult together on their verdict. 



