esire one. I would not desire to live,
if I were privy to Cobham's proceedings. I have been a slave, a
villain, a fool, if I had endeavoured to set up Arabella, and
refused so gracious a lord and sovereign. But urge your proofs.

LORD CHIEF-JUSTICE--You have offered Questions on diverse
Statutes, all which mention two accusers in case of Indictments:
you have deceived yourself, for the laws of 25 Edw. 3rd and 5
Edw. 6th are repealed. It sufficeth now if there be proofs made
either under hand, or by testimony of Witnesses, or by oaths; it
needs not the Subscription of the party, so there be hands of
credible men to testify the Examination.

RALEIGH--It may be an error in me; and if those laws be
repealed, yet I hope the equity of them remains still; but if
you affirm it, it must be a law to posterity. The Proof of the
Common Law is by witness and jury: let Cobham be here, let him
speak it. Call my accuser before my face, and I have done.

ATTORNEY--_Scientia sceleris est mera ignorantia._ You have read
the letter of the law, but understand it not. Here was your
anchor-hold, and your rendezvous: you trust to Cobham, either
Cobham must accuse you, or nobody; if he did, then it would not
hurt you, because he is but one Witness; if he did not, then you
are safe.

RALEIGH--If ever I read a word of the law or statutes before I
was Prisoner in the Tower, God confound me.

The Attorney-General then points out that Cobham confessed that he had a
passport to travel, by means of which he intended to go to the Archduke,
and then to the King of Spain to raise money, after which Raleigh
confessed that he was to have joined him in Jersey on his way home.
Cobham had further stated that nothing could be settled as to the
distribution of the money they were to receive without Raleigh's
concurrence. In reply, Raleigh pointed out that all this depended on
Cobham's accusation, which he had never signed or vouched. 'I beseech
you, my lords, let Cobham be sent for, charge him on his soul, on his
allegiance to the King; if he affirm it, I am guilty.'

LORD CECIL--It is the Accusation of my lord Cobham, it is the
Evidence against you: must it not be of force without his
subscription? I desire to be resolved by the Judges whether by
the law it is not a forcible argument of evidence.

JUDGES--My lord, it is.

RALEIGH--The k