State Trials, Political and Social. Volume 1 (of 2)
History
State Trials, Political and Social. Volume 1 (of 2)
Trials -- Great Britain
There is Treason in the heart, in the hand, in the mouth, in
consummation: comparing that _in corde_ to the root of a tree;
_in ore_, to the bud; _in manu_, to the blossom; and that which
is _in consummatione_, to the fruit. Now I come to your Charge,
You of the Jury: the greatness of Treason is to be considered in
these two things, _determinatione finis_, and _electione
mediorum_. This Treason excelleth in both, for that it was to
destroy the king and his progeny. These treasons are said to be
_crimen læsæ majestatis_; this goeth further, and may be termed,
_crimen extirpandæ regiæ majestatis_, and _totius progenici
suæ_. I shall not need, my lord, to speak anything concerning
the king, nor of the bounty and sweetness of his nature whose
thoughts are innocent, whose words are full of wisdom and
learning, and whose works are full of honour, although it be a
true saying, _Nunquam nimis quod nunquam satis_. But to whom do
you bear Malice? To the Children?
RALEIGH--To whom speak you this? You tell me news I never heard
of.
ATTORNEY--O sir, do I? I will prove you the notoriest traitor
that ever came to the bar. After you have taken away the king,
you would alter Religion: as you, sir Walter Raleigh, have
followed them of the Bye in Imitation: for I will charge you
with the words.
RALEIGH--Your words cannot condemn me; my innocency is my
defence. Prove one of these things wherewith you have charged
me, and I will confess the whole Indictment, and that I am the
horriblest traitor that ever lived, and worthy to be crucified
with a thousand thousand torments.
ATTORNEY--Nay, I will prove all: thou art a monster; thou hath
an English face but a Spanish heart. Now you must have Money;
Aremberg was no sooner in England (I charge thee, Raleigh) but
thou incitest Cobham to go unto him, and to deal with him for
Money, to bestow on discontented persons, to raise Rebellion on
the kingdom.
RALEIGH--Let me answer for myself.
ATTORNEY--Thou shalt not.
RALEIGH--It concerneth my life.
LORD CHIEF-JUSTICE--Sir Walter Raleigh, Mr. Attorney is but yet
in the General: but when the king's Council have given the
evidence wholly you shall answer every Particular.
ATTORNEY--O! do I touch you?
LORD CECIL--Mr. Attorney, when you have done with this General
Charge, do you not mean to let him answer every Particular?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account