of adventure arifing to a great fum, so raised that falfe report.

Only I will borrow a little time of Mr. heriffs to fpeak of one thing, that doth make my heart to bleed to hear that fuch an imputation fhould be laid upon me; for 'tis faid, that I fhould be a perfecutor of the death of the earl of Effex; and, that I stood in a window over-against him, when he fuffered, and puffed out tobacco in difdain of him. God I take to witness, I fhed tears for him when he died; and, as I hope to look God in the face hereafter, my lord of Effex did not see my face when he fuffered, for I was afar off in the Armory, where I faw him, but he faw not

me.

"I confefs indeed I was of a contrary faction, but I know my lord of Effex was a noble gentleman, and that it would be worfe with me when he was gone, for I got the hate of those which wished me well before, and those that fet me against him, afterwards fet them-felves against me, and were my greatest enemies; and my foul hath many times been grieved that I was not nearer him when he died; because, as I understood afterwards, that he asked for me at his death to have been reconciled unto me. And these be the material points I thought good to speak of; and I am now, at this inftant, to render up an account to God; and I proteft, as I shall appear before him, this that I have spoken is true; and I hope I fhall be believed."

Then

Then a proclamation being made, that all men fhould depart the fcaffold, he prepared himself for death; giving away his hat, his cap, with fome money, to fuch as he knew that flood near him. And then, taking his leave of the lords, knights, gentlemen, and others of his acquaintance; and, amongst the reft, taking his leave of my lord Arundel, he thanked him for his company, and entreated him to defire the king, that no fcandalous writing to defame him might be publifhed after his death; faying further unto him, "I have a long journey to go, and therefore I will take my leave."

Then putting off his doublet and gown, he defired the headfman to fhew him the axe; which not being fuddenly granted unto him, he faid, "I prythee let me fee it. Doft thou think that I am afraid of it?" So it being given unto him, he felt along upon the edge of it; and, fmiling, fpake unto Mr. fheriff, faying, "This is a fharp medicine, but it is a phyfician that will cure all difeafes." After which, going to and fro upon the scaffold on every fide, he entreated the company to pray. to God to give him frength..

The executioner kneeling down asked him forgiveness; and he, laying his hand upon his fhoulder, forgave him.

Then being asked which way he would lay himself on the block, he made anfwer, and faid, "So the heart be ftrait, it is no matter which way the head lieth." So, laying his D 6 headi

head on the block, his face being towards the eaft, the headfman, throwing down his own cloak, because he would not fpoil the prifoner's gown, he, giving the headfman a fign when he fhould ftrike, by lifting up his hands, the executioner ftruck off his head at two blows, his body never shrinking nor moving. His head was fhewn on each fide of the scaffold, and then put into a red leather bag, and his wrought velvet gown thrown over it, which was afterwards conveyed away in a mourning coach of his lady's.

Sir Walter Raleigh's Letter to the King the Night before his Death.

THE life which I had, moft mighty prince, the law hath taken from me, and I am now but the fame earth and duft, out of which I was made. If my offence had any proportion with your majefty's mercy, I might defpair; or, if my deferving had any quantity with your majefty's unmeafurable goodness, I might yet have hope: but it is you that must judge, and not I. Name, blood, gentility, or eftate, I have none: no, not fo much as a being; no, not fo much as a vitam planta. I have only a penitent foul in a body of iron, which moveth towards the loadftone of death, and cannot be withheld from touching it, except your majesty's mercy turn the point towards me that expelleth. Loft I am for hearing of

vain

vain man, for hearing only, and never believing nor accepting. And fo little account I made of that fpeech of his, which was my condemnation (as my forfaking him doth truly witnefs) that I never remembered any fuch thing till it was at my trial objected against me. So did he repay my care, who cared to make him good, which I now fee no care of man can effect. But God, for my offence to him, hath laid this heavy burden on me, miferable and unfortunate wretch that I am. But, for not loving you, my fovereign, God hath not laid this forrow on me; for He knows, with whom I am not in cafe to lye, that I honoured your majefty by fame, and loved and admired you by knowledge; fo that, whether I live or die, your majefty's loving fervant I will live and die.

If now I write what feems not well-favoured, moft merciful prince, vouchsafe to afcribe it to the counsel of a dead heart, and to a mind that forrow hath confounded: but the more my mifery is, the more is your majesty's mercy, if you please to behold it; and the lefs I can deferve, the more liberal your majefty's gift fhall be. Herein you fhall only imitate God, giving free life and by giving to fuch a one from whom there tribution, but only a defire to with the fame great love which the fame great goodness fhall beftow on it.

can be no repay a lent life

This being the first letter which ever your majefty received from a dead man, I humbly

fubmit myself to the will of God, my fupreme Lord, and fhall willingly and patiently fuffer whatsoever it shall please your majefty to afflict me withal.

WALTER RALEIGH.

The Copy of Sir Walter Raleigh's Letter to his Wife, the Night before his Death.

YOU fhall now receive, my dear wife, my laft words in thefe my laft lines. My love I fend you, that you may keep it when I am dead; and my counfel, that you may remember it when I am no more. I would not, by my will, prefent you with forrows, dear Befs, let them go into the grave with me, and be buried in the duft: and, feeing that it is not God's will that I fhould fee you any more in this life, bear it patiently, and with a heart like thyfelf

First, I fend you all the thanks which my heart can conceive, or my words can rehearse, for your many travails, and care taken for me; which, though they have not taken effect, as you wished, yet my debt to you is not the lefs; but pay it I never fhall in this world.

Secondly, I beseech you, for the love you bare me living, do not hide yourself many days, but, by your travels, feek to help your miferable fortunes, and the right of your poor

child