be any ways distracted from his accustomed fashions. Markham was told he should likewise die; but, by secret message from some friends at Court, had still such hope given him that he would not believe the worst news till the last day; and though he could be content to talk with the preacher which was assigned him, it was rather to pass time than for any good purpose, for he was Catholicly disposed, -to think of death no way disposed. Whilst these men were so occupied at Winchester, there was no small doings about them at Court, for life or death; some pushing at the wheel one way, some another. The Lords of the Council joined in opinion and advice to the King, now in the beginning of his reign, to show as well examples of mercy as severity, and to gain the title of Clemens as well as Justus; but some others, led by their private spleen and passions, drew as hard the other way; and Patrick Galloway, in his sermon on Tuesday, preached so hotly against remissions and moderation of justice, in the head of justice, as if it were one of the seven deadly sins. The King held himself upright betwixt the two waters; and first let the Lords know, that since the law had passed upon the prisoners, and that they themselves had been their judges, it became not them to be petitioners for that, but rather to press for execution of their own ordinances; and to others, gave as good reasons, to let them know that he would go no whit the faster for their driving, but would be led as his own judgments and affections would move him, but seemed rather to lean to this side than the other, by the care he took to have the law take its course, and the execution hastened.

'Warrants were signed and sent to Sir Benjamin Tichborne * on Wednesday last, at night, for Markham, Grey, and Cobham, who, in this order, were to take their turns, as yesterday, being Friday, about ten of the clock. A fouler day could hardly have been picked out, or fitter for such a tragedy. Markham, being brought to the scaffold, was much dismayed, and complained much of his hard hap, to be deluded with hopes, and brought to that place unprepared. One might see in his face the very picture of sorrow; but he

* Sheriff of Hampshire.

seemed not to want resolution; for à napkin being offered by a friend that stood by, to cover his face, he threw it away, saying, he could look upon death without blushing. He took leave of some friends that stood near, and betook himself to his devotions, after his manner; and, those ended, prepared himself to the block. The Sheriff, in the meantime, was secretly withdrawn, by one John Gib, a Scotch Groom of the Bedchamber, whereupon the execution was stayed, and Markham left upon the scaffold to entertain his own thoughts, which, no doubt, were as melancholy as his countenance, -sad and heavy. The Sheriff, at his return, told him, that since he was so ill prepared he should yet have two hours' respite, so led him from the scaffold without giving him any more comfort, and locked him into the great hall to walk with Prince Arthur.* The Lord Grey, whose turn was next, was led to the scaffold by a troop of the young courtiers, and was supported on both sides by two of his best friends; and, coming in his equipage, had such gaiety and cheer in his countenance, that he seemed a dapper young bridegroom. At his first coming on the scaffold, he fell on his knees, and his preacher made a long prayer to the present purpose, which he seconded himself with one of his own making, which, for the phrase, was somewhat affected, and suited to his other speeches; but, for the fashion, expressed the fervency and zeal of a religious spirit. In his confession, he said, though God knew this fault of his was far from the greatest, yet he knew, and could but acknowledge, his heart to be faulty, for which he asked pardon of the King; and thereupon entered into a long prayer for the King's good estate, which held us in the rain more than half an hour; but, being come to a full point, the Sheriff stayed him, and said, he had received orders from the King to change the order of the execution, and that the Lord Cobham was to go before him; whereupon he was likewise led to Prince Arthur's Hall, and his going away seemed more strange unto him than his

*The hall in the Castle of Winchester is called Arthur's Hall, from an ancient representation of King Arthur's round table, which is suspended there. 40*

VOL. XVI.

coming thither, for he had no more hope given him, than of an hour's respite; neither could any man yet dive into the mystery of this strange proceeding.

'The Lord Cobham, who was now to play his part, and by his former actions promised nothing but matière pour rire, did much cozen the world; for he came to the scaffold with good assurance, and contempt of death. He said some short prayers after his minister, and so out-prayed the company that helped to pray with him, that a stander-by said, "He had a good mouth in a cry, but was nothing single." Some few words he used, to express his sorrow for his offence to the King, and craved pardon of him and the world; for Sir Walter Raleigh, he took it, upon the hope of his soul's resurrection, that what he had said of him was true; and with those words would have taken a short farewell of the world, with that constancy and boldness, that we might see by him, it is an easier matter to die well than live well.

'He was stayed by the Sheriff, and told, that there resteth yet somewhat else to be done; for that he was to be confronted with some other of the prisoners, but named none. So as Grey and Markham being brought back to the scaffold as they then were, but nothing acquainted with what had passed, no more than the lookers on with what should follow, looked strange one upon the other like men beheaded, and met again in the other world. Now all the actors being together on the stage, (as use is at the end of the play,) the Sheriff made a short speech unto them, by way of the interrogatory of the heinousness of their offences, the justness of their trials, their lawful condemnation, and due execution there to be performed; to all which they assented; "then," saith the Sheriff, "see the mercy of your Prince, who, of himself, hath sent hither to countermand, and given you your lives." There was then no need to beg a plaudite of the audience, for it was given with such hues and cries, that it went from the Castle into the Tower, and there began afresh, as if there had been some such like accident. And this experience was made of the difference of examples of justice and mercy; that in this last, no man could cry loud enough, "God save the King;" and at the hold

ing up of Brooke's head, when the Executioner began the same cry, he was not seconded by the voice of any one man, but the Sheriff. You must think, if the spectators were so glad, the actors were not sorry, for even those that went best resolved to death, were glad of life. Cobham vowed openly, if ever he proved traitor again, never so much as to beg his life; and Grey, that since he had his life without begging, he would deserve it. Markham returned with a merrier countenauce than he came to the scaffold. Raleigh, you must think (who had a window that opened that way), had hammers working in his head, to beat out the meaning of this stratagem. His turn was to come on Monday next; but the King has pardoned him with the rest, and confined him with the two Lords to the Tower of London, there to remain during pleasure. Markham, Brooksby, and Copley, are to be banished the realm.

'This resolution was taken by the King without man's help, and no man can rob him of the praise of yesterday's action; for the Lords knew no other, but that execution was to go forward, till the very hour it should be performed; and then, calling them before him, he told them, how much he had been troubled to resolve in this business; for to execute Grey, who was a noble, young, spirited fellow, and save Cobham, who was as base and unworthy, were a manner of injustice. To save Grey, who was of a proud insolent nature, and execute Cobham, who had showed great tokens of humility and repentance, were as great a solecism; and so went on with Plutarch's comparisons in the rest, still travelling in contrarieties, but holding the conclusion in so different balance, that the Lords knew not what to look for till the end came out, and “therefore I have saved them all." The miracle was as great there, as with us at Winchester, and it took like effect; for the applause that began about the King, went from thence into the presence, and so round about the Court.

'I send you a copy of the King's Letter, which was privately written the Wednesday night, and the messenger despatched the Tuesday about noon. But one thing had liked to have marred the play; for the Letter

was closed, and delivered him unsigned; which the King remembered himself, and called for him back again. And at Winchester, there was another cross adventure; for John Gib could not get so near the scaffold, that he could speak to the Sheriff, but was thrust out amongst the boys, and was fain to call out to Sir James Hayes, or else Markham might have lost his neck. There were other by-passages, if I could readily call them to mind; but here is enough already for un petit mot de lettre, and therefore I bid you heartily farewell.

From Salisbury this 11th of December, 1603.'

SIR WALTER RALEIGH'S IMPRISONMENT, VÒYAGE TO GUIANA, AND EXECUTION.

IN considering the numerous cruelties of arbitrary power in this country in former ages, there is, perhaps, no circumstance which affects the mind more painfully than the long imprisonment of individuals for offences against the State. Two centu

ries ago, it rarely happened that the Tower was untenanted by state prisoners; in consequence of which the Lieutenant was required to make occasional returns to the Privy Council, of the names of such prisoners as he had in his custody, specifying the expenses of the diet of each, and the degree of liberty allowed, with other particulars respecting them. On looking over these returns, many of which are preserved at the State-Paper Office, we often find the same names recurring year after year for a long series of years, until upon the death of the individual, or some political change which caused his enlargement, his name disappears from these calendars of misery. Thus the third Duke of Norfolk, having been imprisoned during several years of the reign of Henry VIII, and the whole reign