satisfy your conscience: but a great deal better to satisfy your minds, I touched afore, that this matter two years passed was afore the Council, Mason in hold detained, and all this rehearsed, and he dismissed. I heard thereof, and sued to come home for my declaration. After I came home, I was in hand with the Earl of Essex for that he desired me to let it pass. 'I was cleared well enough;' and he told me much of this thing, that I have in the matter rehearsed. If this were not sufficient to satisfy your conscience, then take more with you.

Within six months after that I came home, so far unlike was it, that any of these gear, both then known, examined, and dismissed, should be taken for treason, that I was sent again Ambassador to the Emperor at his coming into France, and the King's Grace had rewarded me with a good piece of lands, above my deserving. And then it was said unto me, 'I was used for the necessity,' yea, and my instrument of my treasons was sent with me, Mr. Mason. I came home in the beginning of the last summer. I ran not away at none of all these goings over. All this while, till now, there hath been no question of this reckoning. If any thing of new be against me, which is not alleged, if t be nothing but this, it hath been tried and dismissed. You see what evidence the Counsellors gave against me. The confidence put in my affairs is for you to acquit me. And it is a naughty fear (if any man have any such) to think a Quest dare

XC

THE DEFENCE OF SIR THOMAS WYATT.

not acquit a man of treason when they think him clear; for it were a foul slander to the King's Majesty. God be thanked, he is no tyrant: he will no such things against men's conscience: he will but his laws, and his laws with mercy. What displeasure bare he to the Lords for the acquitting the Lord Dacres? Never none; nor will not unto you,

if

you do as your conscience leads you. And for a great cause the law ministereth betwixt the King and his subject an oath to the Quest in favour of the subject, for it supposeth more favour to be borne to the Prince than to the party, if the oath bound not Christian men's conscience.

Thus much I thought to say unto you before both God and man to discharge me, that I seem not to perish in my own fault, for lack of declaring my truth; and afore God and all these men, I charge you with my innocent truth, that in case (as God defend) ye be guilty of mine innocent blood, that ye before his tribunal shall be inexcusable. And for conclusion, our Lord put in your hearts to pronounce upon me according as I have willed to the King, my Master and Sovereign, in heart, will, and wish.

T. W.

POEMS.

SONGS AND SONNETS.

THE LOVER FOR SHAMEFASTNESS HIDETH HIS DESIRE WITHIN HIS FAITHFUL HEART.

THE long love that in my thought I harbour,
And in my heart doth keep his residence,
Into my face presseth with bold pretence,
And there campeth displaying his banner.
She that me learns to love and to suffer,
And wills that my trust, and lust's negligence
Be reined by reason, shame, and reverence,
With his hardiness takes displeasure.
Wherewith love to the heart's forest he fleeth,
Leaving his enterprise with pain and cry,
And there him hideth, and not appeareth.
What may I do, when my master feareth,

But in the field with him to live and die?
For good is the life, ending faithfully.

THE LOVER WAXETH WISER, AND WILL NOT DIE FOR AFFECTION.

YET was I never of your love aggrieved,

Nor never shall while that my life doth last:

But of hating myself, that date is past;

And tears continual sore have me wearied: