“How long, Lord, how long!”
Quiet being soon restored, the earl arose from his chair, and looking at the coffin, said:
“Thou art my bridal chamber. In thee I shall rest without a guard.”
From the coffin he turned to the block, and remarked:
“Methinks it is very low, and yet there is but one step from it to Heaven.”
But he caused it to be shifted, so that he might see the church, remarking:
“While I am here I will look towards thy holy sanctuary, and I know that within a few minutes I shall behold thee, my God and King, in thy sanctuary above. Under the shadow of thy wings shall be my refuge till this calamity be overpast.”
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V
Martyrdom
HE then began to prepare for death, and taking off his blue riband gave it to Baguley to deliver to his son, saying:
“He knows my injunctions respecting it.”
With Paul Moreau’s aid, he next divested himself of his doublet and band, and then addressing the officer said:
“Pray tell me how I must lie. I have been called bloodthirsty, yet I had never the severe curiosity to see any man put to death in peace.”
“Your lordship had best make the trial,” replied the officer.
The earl then laid himself down upon the block, and on rising caused it to be slightly moved.
When this was done, he said to the headsman:
“Friend, remember what I told thee. Be no more afraid to strike than I am to die. When I put up my hand, do thy work.”
Looking round at his attendants, and at the people who were watching his every action, and listening intently for a word, he lifted up his hands, and exclaimed:
“The Lord bless you all. Once more pray for me, and with me.”
As he knelt down beside the chair, the injunction was universally obeyed.
After praying fervently for some time, he arose with a smiling countenance, and said:
“My soul is now at rest, and so shall my body be immediately. The Lord bless my king and restore him to his rights in this kingdom. The Lord bless this kingdom, and restore the people to their rights in their king, that he and they may join hand in hand to settle truth and peace. The Lord bless this country, this town, this people. The Lord comfort my wife and children. The Lord forgive the authors of my unjust death.”
Then laying his neck upon the block, he stretched out his arms, exclaiming:
“Blessed be God’s holy name for ever and ever!”
With these words he gave the sign. But the headsman moved not.
After a moment of dreadful suspense, the earl arose, and regarding the man sternly, exclaimed:
“Why do you keep me from my Saviour? What have I done that I die not to live with Him. Once more I will lie down in peace, and take my everlasting rest.”
Again extending himself on the block, he cried out!
“Come, Lord Jesus!—come quickly!”
This time the executioner did not delay, but struck off the noble head at a single blow, amid universal lamentation.
When the body was placed in the coffin, a piece of paper was dropped upon the breast, on which these lines were traced:
Bounty, wit, courage,
here in one lie dead,
A STANLEY’S hand, VERE’S heart,
and CECIL’S head.
THE END.
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