Classic Poem

For plotting of a plot which never was
Acted by mee, or ever brought to pas;
And for the acting of an act, which I
Did never plot, I am adiudgd to dye.
Iustice hathe drawne her angrie sword, and shee
Will now embrue it in the bloud of mee:
With mee the Lawes must execution have,
That greatness may insult upon my grave:
Valor must gasp before Rhamnusiaes Looke
And Learning now must be denied a booke:
Gownmen, and Gunmen, are condemnd to come
From bloudie Tiburn to Elizium.
Though England owe them pittie, yet you see
Them drawne like dogs, unto the fatal tree.
To grudge at this is follie, to gainsaie it
Time lost, my glas is run and none can staye it.
To suffer death is manlie, and to scorn it
Shall with a croune of fortitude adorn it.
True magnanimitie then shines most cleare,
When I shake hands with death, not shooke with feare.
The prince displeased is, the Law is sold,
And made iniurious, for iniurious gold.
The Lawyers lawles are, and in theyr breasts
No charitie, nor love, nor Conscience rests.
And death to mee, so terrible appeares,
That my amazement takes away my feares.
But I ask pardon of the prince, and doe
Forgive the world, the Lawes and Lawiers to[o].
Now for a sigh, that would divide my breast,
That you might see I from my heart request
To be forgiven before I give my breath
To him that gave it mee: then welcome, death,
For though my body must below expire
My soule shall mount above those orbes of fire.