But though the people’s verdit go by chaunce, Yet was there cause to call mee as they did: For I, enforst by meane of gouernaunce, Did execute what euer[1100] my king did bid, From blame herein my selfe I cannot rid: But fye vpon the wretched state, that must Defame it selfe, to serue the prince’s lust. 9. The cheifest crime wherewith men doe me charge, Is death of th’[1101] earle of _Desmund’s_ noble sonnes, Of which the kinge’s charge doth me clere discharge, By strayt commaundement and iniunctions: Th’effect whereof so rigorously runnes, That eyther I must procure to see them dead, Or for contempt as a traytour loose my head.[1102] 10. What would mine enemies[1103] doe in such a case, Obay the king or proper death procure? They may well say theyr fancy for a face, But life is sweete, and loue hard to recure: They would haue done as I did, I am sure, For seldom will a welthy man at ease For other’s cause his prince in ought displease. 11. How much lesse I, which was lieuetenaunt than In th’[1104] _Irish_ isle, preferred by the king: But who for loue or dread of any man, Consents t’[1105] accomplish any wicked thing, Although chiefe fault thereof from other spring, Shall not escape God’s vengeance for his deede, Who scuseth none that dare doe ill for drede. 12. This in my king and mee may well appeare, Which for our faultes did not escape the scourge: For whan wee thought our state most sure and clere, The wynd of _Warwicke_ blew vp such a sourge, As from the realme and crowne the king did pourge, And mee both from mine office,[1106] friendes, and wife, From good report, from honest death and life. 13. For the earle of _Warwicke_, through a cancarde grudge[1107] Which to king _Edward_ causelesse hee did beare, Out of his realme by force did make him trudge, And set king _Henry_ agayne vpon his chaire: And then all such as _Edwarde’s_ louers were, As traytours tane were greuously opprest, But chiefly I, because I lou’d him best. 14. And, for[1108] my goods and liuinges were not small, The gapers for them bare[1109] the world in hand For ten yeares space, that I was cause of all The executions done[1110] within the land: For this did such as did not vnderstand Mine enmies drift, thinke all reportes were true: And so did[1111] hate mee worse then any Jewe. 15.