Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane Hill, marching against Macbeth, or the duke uncloaking to Angelo could not create a greater sensation. “My lord,” cried Sir George Wakeman, “this is a Protestant witness too.” Oates began to bluster. He remembered nothing of all this. He did not believe that any such question was asked him at the council board. If there had been, he was in such a state of exhaustion after being deprived of his rest for two nights in succession that he was not in a condition to answer anything. “What,” returned Scroggs, “must we be amused with I know not what for being up but two nights?... What, was Mr. Oates just so spent that he could not say, I have seen a letter under Sir George Wakeman’s own hand?” The informer swore that to his best belief he had spoken of the letter; or if he had not, he believed Sir Philip Lloyd was mistaken; or if not that, he was so weak that he was unable to say or do anything. Then he completely lost control of himself and broke out recklessly: “To speak the truth, they were such a council as would commit nobody.” “That was not well said,” put in Jeffreys quickly. “He reflects on the king and all the council,” cried Wakeman. At this the wrath of the Chief Justice burst out on the perjured miscreant. “You have taken a great confidence,” he thundered, “I know not by what authority, to say anything of anybody”; and becoming more grave, pointed out the decisive importance of what had been proved against him, Oates did not open his mouth again during the rest of the trial.[699]