PRESIDENT: "You may answer in your time. Hear the Court first." THE KING: "I desire to be heard, and 'tis only a word. A hasty judgment is not so soon recalled." PRESIDENT: "You shall be heard before judgment is given." [Illustration: _Trial of the King._] The President then declared that the Court, having considered the crimes laid to the charge of the prisoner, and found them to be proved, were agreed upon a sentence to be pronounced against him. But in respect that he doth desire to be heard before sentence be read and pronounced, the Court had resolved that they will hear him. Then, turning to the King, he said, "If that which you say be to question the Court's jurisdiction, you shall not be heard in it. But if you have anything to say in defence of the thing charged, the Court has given me a command to let you know they will hear you." THE KING: "This many a day all things have been taken away from me, but that which is dearer to me than my life, which is my conscience and my honour. If I had respect to my life more than the peace of the kingdom, and the liberty of the subject, certainly I should have made a particular defence for myself." After this he went on to ask that he might be permitted to say something to the Lords and Commons assembled in the Painted Chamber, to whom, he said, he had somewhat of no small import to say. The Court withdrew to consider this, but returning in half-an-hour's time, the President said, "'Tis an excellent maxim in law 'Nulli negabimus, nulli vendemus, nulli deferemus justitiam.' There must be no more delay with you, Sir. We are now to proceed to sentence and judgment." After more disputing of the same sort the President commanded silence. Which done, the Clerk read the sentence, which was: "Whereas the Commons of England have appointed a Court for the trial of Charles Stuart, King of England, and whereas a charge of high treason and other crimes was read, the Court doth adjudge that the said Charles Stuart, as a tyrant, traitor, murderer, and a public enemy, shall be put to death by the severing of his head from his body." All the Court stood up to signify their assent. THE KING: "Will you hear me a word, Sir?" PRESIDENT: "Sir, you are not to be heard after sentence." KING: "No, Sir?" PRESIDENT: "No, Sir; by your favour, Sir. Guard, withdraw your prisoner." KING: "By your favour, Sir, hold the sentence." But when nothing availed he said: "I am not suffered to speak. Expect what justice other people will have."