182 CHARGE AGAINST FRANCES 



The proofs, which I shall read in the end for the 

 ground of your verdict and sentence, will be very 

 short ; and, as much as may, serve to satisfy your 

 honours and consciences for the conviction of this 

 lady, without wasting of time in a case clear and 

 confessed ; or ripping up guiltiness against one, that 

 hath prostrated herself by confession ; or preventing 

 or deflowering too much of the evidence. And 

 therefore the occasion itself doth admonish me to 

 spend this day rather in declaration than in evidence, 

 giving God and the king the honour, and your lord 

 ships and the hearers the contentment, to set before 

 you the proceeding of this excellent work of the 

 king s justice, from the beginning to the end ; and 

 so to conclude with the reading the confessions and 

 proofs. 



My lords, this is now the second time * within 

 the space of thirteen years reign of our happy sove 

 reign, that this high tribunal-seat of justice, or 

 dained for the trial by peers, hath been opened and 

 erected ; and that, with a rare event, supplied and 

 exercised by one and the same person, which is a 

 great honour to you, my lord steward. 



In all this meantime the king hath reigned in his 

 white robe, not sprinkled with any drop of blood of 

 any of his nobles of this kingdom. Nay, such have 

 been the depths of his mercy, as even those noble- 

 mens bloods, against whom the proceeding was at 



* The first time was on the trials of the lords Cobham and 

 Grey, in November, 1603. 



