put themselves on their defence against the country, who
were raised from all quarters and armed by the sheriff. The
conspirators, with all their attendants, never exceeded the number of
eighty persons; and being surrounded on every side, could no longer
entertain hopes either of prevailing or escaping. Having therefore
confessed themselves, and received absolution, they boldly prepared for
death, and resolved to sell their lives as dear as possible to the
assailants. But even this miserable consolation was denied them. Some of
their powder took fire, and disabled them for defence.[**] The people
rushed in upon them. Piercy and Catesby were killed by one shot. Digby,
Rookwood, Winter, and others, being taken prisoners, were tried,
confessed their guilt, and died, as well as Garnet, by the hands of the
executioner. Notwithstanding this horrid crime, the bigoted Catholics
were so devoted to Garnet, that they fancied miracles to be wrought by
his blood;[***] and in Spain he was regarded as a martyr.[****]

Neither had the desperate fortune of the conspirators urged them to this
enterprise, nor had the former profligacy of their lives prepared them
for so great a crime. Before that audacious attempt, their conduct
seems, in general, to be liable to no reproach. Catesby's character had
entitled him to such regard, that Rookwood and Digby were seduced by
their implicit trust in his judgment; and they declared that, from the
motive alone of friendship to him, they were ready, on any occasion, to
have sacrificed their lives.[v] Digby himself was as highly esteemed
and beloved as any man in England; and he had been particularly honored
with the good opinion of Queen Elizabeth.

* See note XX, at the end of the volume.

** State Trials, vol. i. p. 199. Discourse of the Manner,
etc. p. 69, 70.

*** Winwood, vol. ii. p. 300.

**** Winwood, vol. ii. p. 300.

v State Trials, vol. i. p. 201.

It was bigoted zeal alone, the most absurd of prejudices masked with
reason, the most criminal of passions covered with the appearance of
duty, which seduced them into measures that were fatal to themselves,
and had so nearly proved fatal to their country.[*]

The lords Mordaunt and Stourton, two Catholics, were fined, the former
ten thousand pounds, the latter four thousand, by the star chamber;
because their absence from parliament had begotten a suspicion of their
being acquainted with the conspiracy. The