_Cha._ I but attended Your Lordships pleasure. For the fact, as of The former, I confesse it, but with what Base wrongs I was vnwillingly drawne to it, 135 To my few wordes there are some other proofes To witnesse this for truth, when I was married: For there I must begin. The slayne _Nouall_ Was to my wife, in way of our French courtship, A most deuoted seruant, but yet aym’d at 140 Nothing but meanes to quench his wanton heate, His heart being neuer warm’d by lawfull fires As mine was (Lords:) and though on these presumptions, Ioyn’d to the hate betweene his house and mine, I might with opportunity and ease 145 Haue found a way for my reuenge, I did not; But still he had the freedome as before When all was mine, and told that he abus’d it With some vnseemely licence, by my friend My appou’d friend _Romont_, I gaue no credit 150 To the reporter, but reprou’d him for it As one vncourtly and malicious to him. What could I more, my Lords? yet after this He did continue in his first pursute Hoter then euer, and at length obtaind it; 155 But how it came to my most certaine knowledge, For the dignity of the court and my owne honour I dare not say. _Nou. se._ If all may be beleeu’d A passionate prisoner speakes, who is so foolish That durst be wicked, that will appeare guilty? 160 No, my graue Lords: in his impunity But giue example vnto iealous men To cut the throats they hate, and they will neuer Want matter or pretence for their bad ends. _Charmi._ You must find other proofes to strengthen these 165 But more presumptions. _Du Croy._ Or we shall hardly Allow your innocence. _Cha._ All your attempts Shall fall on me, like brittle shafts on armour, That breake themselues; or like waues against a rocke, That leaue no signe of their ridiculous fury 170 But foame and splinters, my innocence like these Shall stand triumphant, and your malice serue But for a trumpet; to proclaime my conquest Nor shall you, though you doe the worst fate can, How ere condemne, affright an honest man. 175 _Rom._ May it please the Court, I may be heard. _Nou. se._ You come not To raile againe? but doe, you shall not finde, Another _Rochfort_. _Rom._ In _Nouall_ I cannot. But I come furnished with what will stop The mouth of his conspiracy against the life 180 Of innocent _Charaloys_. Doe you know this Character? _Nou. se._ Yes, ’tis my sonnes.