200 CHARGE AGAINST FRANCES, &c. 



great straits between the defacing of his honour, and 

 of his creature, hath, according as he used to do, 

 chosen the better part, reserving always mercy to 

 himself. 



The time also of justice hath had its true mo 

 tions. The time until this lady s deliverance was 

 due unto honour, Christianity, and humanity, in re 

 spect of her great belly. The time since was due 

 to another kind of deliverance too ; which was, that 

 some causes of estate which were in the womb might 

 likewise be brought forth, not for matter of justice, 

 but for reason of state. Likewise this last procras 

 tination of days had the like weighty grounds and 

 causes. 



But, my lords, where I speak of a stage, I doubt 

 I hold you upon the stage too long. But before I 

 pray judgment, I pray your lordships to hear the 

 king s papers read, that you may see how well the 

 king was inspired, and how nobly he carried it, that 

 innocency might not have so much as aspersion. 



Frances, Countess of Somerset, hath been indicted 

 and arraigned, as accessary before the fact, for the 

 murder and impoisonment of Sir Thomas Over- 

 bury, and hath pleaded guilty, and confesseth the 

 indictment : I pray judgment against the prisoner. 



