l. And I hope," added
she, "that your mistress, being a maiden queen, would vouchsafe, in
regard of womanhood, that I should have some of my own people about me
at my death. I know that her majesty hath not given you any such strict
command, but that you might grant me a request of far greater courtesy,
even though I were a woman of inferior rank to that which I bear."
Finding that the earl of Kent persisted still in his refusal, her mind,
which had fortified itself against the terrors of death, was affected
by this indignity, for which she was not prepared. "I am cousin to your
queen," cried she, "and descended from the blood royal of Henry VII.,
and a married queen of France, and an anointed queen of Scotland." The
commissioners, perceiving how invidious their obstinacy would appear,
conferred a little together, and agreed that she might carry a few of
her servants along with her. She made choice of four men and two maid
servants for that purpose.

She then passed into another hall, where was erected the scaffold,
covered with black; and she saw, with an undismayed countenance, the
executioners and all the preparations of death. The room was crowded
with spectators; and no one was so steeled against all sentiments of
humanity, as not to be moved, when he reflected on her royal dignity,
considered the surprising train of her misfortunes, beheld her mild but
inflexible constancy, recalled her amiable accomplishments, or surveyed
her beauties, which, though faded by years, and yet more by her
afflictions, still discovered themselves in this fatal moment. Here the
warrant for her execution was read to her; and during this ceremony she
was silent, but showed, in her behavior, an indifference and unconcern,
as if the business had nowise regarded her. Before the executioners
performed their office, the dean of Peterborough stepped forth; and
though the queen frequently told him that he needed not concern himself
about her, that she was settled in the ancient Catholic and Roman
religion, and that she meant to lay down her life in defence of that
faith, he still thought it his duty to persist in his lectures and
exhortations, and to endeavor her conversion. The terms which he
employed were, under color of pious instructions, cruel insults on her
unfortunate situation; and besides their own absurdity, may be regarded
as the most mortifying indignities to which she had ever yet been
exposed. He told her, that the queen of Englan