y, and afterwards to be
despised. I speak not this, God knows, to dissuade you from
marriage, for it will be best for you both in respect of the
world and of God. As for me, I am no more yours, nor you mine,
death hath cut us asunder; and God hath divided me from the
world and you from me. Remember your poor child for his father's
sake who chose you and loved you in his happiest times. Get
those Letters, if it be possible, which I writ to the lords,
wherein I sued for life: God is my witness it was for you and
yours that I desired life; but it is true that I disdained
myself for begging of it: for know it, my dear wife, that your
son is the son of a true man, and who, in his own respect,
despiseth death, and all his misshapen and ugly form. I cannot
write much, God he knows how hardly I steal this time while
others sleep, and it is also time that I should separate my
thoughts from the world. Beg my dead body, which living was
denied thee; and either lay it at Sherburne (and if the land
continue) or in Exeter church by my father and mother. I can say
no more, Time and Death call me away; the everlasting, powerful,
infinite and omnipotent God, that Almighty God, who is goodness
itself, the true life and true light, keep thee and thine, have
mercy on me, and teach me to forgive my persecutors and
accusers, and send us to meet in his glorious kingdom. My dear
wife, farewell. Bless my poor boy. Pray for me, and let my good
God hold you both in his arms. Written with the dying hand of
sometime thy husband, but now alas overthrown.'

'WALTER RALEIGH.'

On the 29th of October 1618, at nine o'clock in the morning, Raleigh was
brought to the scaffold in Old Palace Yard. As he began to make his
dying speech he saw Lords Arundel, Northampton, and Doncaster with other
lords and knights at a window, but too far off to hear him easily. 'I
will strain my voice,' said he, 'for I would willingly have your honours
hear me'; whereupon Arundel and the others came down to the scaffold,
and he having saluted them, began his speech again. He made no
reference to his original conviction, but occupied himself in
justifying his conduct since his return from Guiana. He denied having
had any commission from the French king, or knowing anything of a French
agent till he met him in his lodgings. He ne