Still, he declared most solemnly[420] that while he was quite willing to die for his offence, he had not been impelled to commit the treason by feelings of ill-will towards any living creature, or a desire for self-advancement or worldly gains. His sole motive had been to put an end to the persecutions of Catholics, to benefit human souls, and to serve the cause of religion. The action itself he acknowledged to have been sinful; the intentions which prompted it he protested to have been pure. [420] Narrative of the G. P., Gerard, p. 217. "His speech was not long,"[421] and, when it was ended he knelt down, made the sign of the Cross, and said some prayers in a low voice in Latin, "often bowing his head to the ground," says Stow, "mumbling to himself," and "refusing to have any prayers of any but of the Romish Catholics," says the hostile historian in the _Somers' Tracts_, he "fell to his prayers with such devotion as moved all the beholders," states his friend Father Gerard, who goes on to say:--"And when he had done, he stood up and saluted all the noblemen and gentlemen that stood upon the scaffold, every one according to his estate, to the noblemen with a lower _conge_, to others with more show of equality, but to all in so friendly and so cheerful a manner, as they afterwards said, he seemed so free from fear of death, as that he showed no feeling at all of any passion therein, but took his leave of them as he was wont to do when he went from the Court or out of the city to his own house in the country; yet he showed so great devotion of mind, so much fervour and humility in his prayers, and so great confidence in God, as that very many said[422] they made no doubt but his soul was happy, and wished themselves might die in the like state of mind." [421] Somers' Tracts. [422] A footnote says, "Here wants something. _In another hand, erased in Original._" The hangman now came up to assist him in his preparations for execution. Before going to the gallows for hanging and quartering, the condemned man was stripped, with the exception of his shirt. This humiliating process having been completed, with his hands bound, Sir Everard accompanied the executioner to the foot of the ladder, and saying, "Oh! Jesu, Jesu, save me and keep me," he ascended it, as also did the hangman. I should like to let the curtain fall here; but, were I to do so, my story would be incomplete.