The manner of the Kings Tryal at Westminster-Hall , by the High Court of Justice, from the twentieth day of January, 1648.
To the Seven and Twentieth Day of the same Month. Also, the true manner of his being put to Death at White-Hall , near the Banquetting-House; the T[hi]rtieth Day of January with his
Speech made upon the Scaffold before he was Beheaded. The Tune is, Aim not too high.
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K Ing Charles was once a Prince of great state,
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But yet he dy'd a Death unfortunate:
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Oh he is gone, and now hath left us here,
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And God doth know what courses we shall steer.
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Now my sad Story to you i'le relate,
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At Westminster , was call'd a Court of State;
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Where Serjeant Bradshaw was Lord President,
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The Court being full, then for the King they sent.
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There to the Bar a Guard did him convey,
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In Januaries Month the Twentieth day:
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Whereas Soliciter Cook did Read at large,
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The order and the manner of his Charge.
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CHarles Stuart once admited Englands King,
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Which did such Woes upon the Kingdom bring,
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In seting up the Standard in the Field,
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Which was the cause that so much blood was spill'd.
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Whereas thou did'st raise Arms within the Land,
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Also against the Parliament did stand:
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The Peoples rights and Liberties inthrall,
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All these and more thou didst Tyranical.
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Therefore you guilty are of these sad Times,
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As Treason, Murther, and of such like Crimes,
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For which at Bar a Prisoner you are,
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And in this Court you shall have Tryal fair.
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Here is your Jury, for it must be so,
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You've heard your Charge, plead guilty, I or no:
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What is it thus (then answered the King)
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Was it for this you did me hither bring?
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The Kings Answer to the Charge.
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A S for your Charge a Rush I do not care,
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I do desire those things are right and square:
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It was for my Peoples freedom I did stand,
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The Liberties and Laws of all the Land.
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I do desire to me you would unfold,
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By whose Commission you this Court do hold:
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To whom the President did straight reply;
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Sir you shall know by whose Authority.
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This Court Prerogative whereon we stand,
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Ordained is by the Commons of the Land,
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It is not for Prisoners to dispute the same,
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Answer to that for which you hither came.
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Then their Authority he quite deny'd,
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And said by them he meant not to be Try'd:
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At which the Court their Verdict then did pass,
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(Not answering) that he then guilty was.
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Then by the Clarke his Sentence there was read,
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Saying[,] Charles Stuart , thou must lose thy head:
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For murder, Treason, and for Tyranny,
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And to the Land a publique Enemy.
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Being Condemned, one thing he did crave,
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That Doctor Juxon's presence he might have,
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To Preach, and the Communion him to give:
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And see his two sweet Babes whilst he did live.
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T He which was granted all perform'd and done
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And he did see his Daughter and his Son:
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It would have griev'd a stony heart to see
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The weeping joy that was between those three.
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He blest them both, and for them he did pray,
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Mourning at parting, then they got their way;
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Father from Children, 'twas a grief full sore,
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Each other in this world to see no more.
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Tuesday the Thirtieth of January last,
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He from St. Jameses unto White-Hall past:
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Having a Guard of flying Colours spread,
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And rattleing Drums as to a Battle led.
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With cheerful Countenance and Courage bold,
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He said march faster for the day is cold:
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Then to the Scaffold he was straight convey'd,
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The which with mourning Cloath was over laid.
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The Kings Speech upon the Scaffold.
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Mounting the same, quoth he, i'le little say,
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For in this World I have not long to stay:
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It is my duty first with God to clear,
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My Conscience free, next to my Country dear.
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Unto the Parliament I ne'r thought ill,
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Their Priviledges never thought to spill,
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Ill Instruments on both sides bred the strife,
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Which was the cause so many lost their life.
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The greatest Enemies that sought my death,
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I do forgive before I loose my breath:
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I wish the Kingdoms peace, and Churches bliss,
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For now Religion out of order is.
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Lawful Sucession I hope shall be,
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(Granted by Parliament) now after me:
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And for my Conscience and Religion,
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I dye a Protestant and Christian.
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To Doctor Juxon then his George he gave,
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Willing Prince Charles his Son the same might have.
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His walking staff unto himself did give;
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And for his sake to keep whilst he did live.
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Likewise he gave the Duke of Richmond then,
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One Watch, another to a Gentleman:
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With eyes lift up to Heaven he made a Prayer,
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And then for death did instantly prepare.
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Saying, my earthly Crown I here must leave,
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(Hoping a heavenly Crown I shall receive)
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Then on the block his neck he there did lay,
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And to the Headsman then these words did say.
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When as my hands and arms I open stretch,
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Strike home, be sure thou a right blow fetch
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I come, I come, Lord Jesus, then he cry'd,
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One blow his head and body did devide.
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Thus like a Lamb his death he there did take,
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And presently this world he did forsake:
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Whose soul I trust is with the Lord on high,
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And thus I end my mournful Tragedy.
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FINIS.
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