“Master Shakespeare,” said the Queen, arrogantly, “it had not been our intention to hear you in your own defence. We had meant to leave the whole matter to those who know in what sort to deal with it. But three very good and true friends of yours have come forward to plead your cause: one, as I understand, an honest man who follows your own calling, has even gone to the length of offering his own life in exchange for yours; and my Lord Pembroke and Sir Walter Raleigh each offers the half of his fortune as the price of your ransom.” For the moment the self-possession of the poet forsook him, so deeply was he moved by the loyalty and the self-sacrificing devotion of his friends. He lowered his head in the manner of one completely overcome. The sensitive lips trembled, the deep-set eyes filled with tears. “You have good friends, Master Shakespeare.” The tone of the Queen was so matter-of-fact, that she might have been merely discussing a plain affair of business. “And no man can have friends so true as these and so honorable in reputation without having a character sufficiently worthy to entitle him to them. Therefore, it is for this reason, and for none other, that I have decided to hear you in your own behalf. But, pray understand, I hold out no prospect of leniency. You have been guilty of such wicked folly that I do not doubt that a charge of high treason will lie against you.” By this time, the playwright was once more completely master of himself. He stood to confront the Queen simply and without fear. “Let us hear your defence, Master Shakespeare, if defence you will venture to make.” “Your grace,” said the player, in his gentle voice, “on my own part, I offer no defence. Freely and fully I accept all responsibility for any hurt I have done to justice. But having done none that I know, I take my stand upon the innocence of my intention.” The light of anger flamed in the Queen’s eyes. “Don’t use so many words, sirrah,” she said, sharply. “Come to the issue. I am a plain woman, and I ask for plain words and few. For what reason, I will ask you, have you embraced these devious ways?” The player met with calm eyes the harsh glance of the Sovereign. “If it be treason, your grace, to befriend the innocent,” he said, “I will gladly pay the penalty of my crime.” The eyes of the Queen sparkled ominously. “The innocent, sirrah! Pray, what do you mean by the innocent? Is it the part of innocence, I ask you, to engage in a plot to take away my life?” “No, your grace,” said the player. “And may it never be permitted to one of your subjects to say otherwise.” “Then may I ask why you take the part of those who have done so?” “I have but taken the part, your grace, of one accused wrongfully.” “Do not impugn the Queen’s justice, sirrah!” “God forbid! But, in this instance, I make so bold as to affirm that a grievous miscarriage has occurred.”