A True Hero: A Story of the Days of William Penn — John Shaqi
A True Hero: A Story of the Days of William PennKingston, William Henry Giles
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A True Hero: A Story of the Days of William Penn
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Historical fiction; Quakers -- Fiction
Once more the jury were locked up, without food, fire, or water; but
they were Englishmen to the backbone, and were ready to die in the cause
of civil freedom, rather than play traitors to their own convictions.
On Monday the court again sat. Each juror was separately questioned,
and one and all pronounced "Not guilty." The Recorder on this fined
them forty marks a man, and imprisonment in Newgate till the fines were
paid. Penn and Mead were fined in the same way, the Recorder crying
out, "Put him out of court! Take him away!"
"`Take him away!'" exclaimed Penn. "Whenever I urge the fundamental
laws of England, `Take him away!' is their answer; but no wonder, since
the Spanish Inquisition sits so near the Recorder's heart."
Both prisoners and jurors were carried off to Newgate, refusing to pay
the fines: Penn and Mead as a case of conscience; while Bushel advised
his fellow-jurors to dispute the matter. The jurors were committed to
prison on the 5th of September, and it was not till the 9th of November
that the trial came on. Learned counsel were engaged for their defence;
Newdegate, one of them, arguing that the judges may try to open the eyes
of the jurors, but not to "lead them by the nose." Christison and his
son were present. "I had hoped to spend some years in my native land,
and renew the friendship I formed in my youth," observed the former;
"but I tell thee, Wenlock, if this trial goes against those twelve
honest men, I will forswear my country, and go and seek thy fortune and
mine in some other land, where knaves do not, as here, `rule the
roost.'" When, however, the twelve judges gave an almost unanimous
verdict in favour of the jurymen, Christison agreed that, after all,
there were more honest men in the country than he had feared was the
case.
To return, however, to William Penn and Mead. They were remanded to
Newgate, refusing to pay the fines imposed on them, as a matter of
conscience. Without difficulty, Christison and Wenlock obtained
admittance to them. "Truly, friends, you are hardly dealt with," said
the former, as he shook hands. "We had tyrannical proceedings enough in
the time of the first Charles, but it seems to me that we are even worse
off now. I would that I could collect a band of honest fellows and
rescue you out of this vile den."
"I pray thee, be silent, dear friend," said Mead. "We are here for
conscience sake; and our consciences being right towards God, would
support us under far greater trial."
"Well, well, I suppose you are right," answered Christison; "but it
sorely troubles me to see you here. I came back to England,
understanding that the country was enjoying rest, and prospering under
the new reign; but it seems to me that the rest is more that of wearied
sleep than prosperous tranquillity, and that ere long the people will
revive, and will once more draw the sword to reassert their rights."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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