Read "Preston Fight" by William H. Ainsworth online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Lord Derwentwater then addressed himself to his devotions, and remained in earnest prayer with Father Norham, till the hour approached, when the good priest thus recommended his soul to heaven.
"When thy soul shall depart from thy body, may thy Redeemer appear to thee, and appoint thee a place amongst those who are to stand before him for ever."
The earl then rose, and since the priest was not allowed to be with him to the last, he bade him an eternal adieu.
Just then, the door was opened, and Sir John Fryer, one of the sheriffs, came in, and, with a grave salutation, inquired if he was ready.
"Perfectly," replied Lord Derwentwater.
Casting a farewell look at the good priest, he then followed the sheriff, who marched before him with his men, through two lines of foot-guards to the scaffold.
All was prepared.
The executioner was standing beside the block with the axe in his hand.
Not far from him were two assistants, and near them was the coffin.
A slight murmur arose from the vast concourse as the Earl of Derwentwater appeared on the scaffold, but it was a murmur of admiration -- all being struck by his slight, graceful figure, seen to the greatest advantage in his black velvet attire.
"May I say a few words to the assemblage, Sir John? " asked the earl.
"Assuredly, my lord," replied the sheriff.
The earl then advanced towards the rail of the scaffold, and as it was evident he was about to address them, the concourse became instantly silent, and every eye was fixed upon him.
In a clear voice, that was heard afar, and vibrated through the breasts of all near to him, he thus spoke:
"Being in a few minutes about to appear before the tribunal of Heaven, where, though most unworthy, I hope to find mercy which I have not found from men in power, I have endeavoured to make my peace by humbly begging pardon for all the sins of my life.
"I have never had any other sovereign save King James the Third, whom I have served from infancy; and if his religion had been different from mine, I should still have done all I could for him, as my ancestors did for his predecessors. I intended wrong to none, and only to serve my king and country, and if the sacrifice of my life could contribute to that end, I shall consider it well paid.
"I die a Roman Catholic, and in perfect charity with all the world, even with those most instrumental in my destruction, and I hope to be forgiven the trespasses of my youth by the Father of Infinite Mercy, into whose hands I commend my spirit."
Delivered as we have described, this brief address produced a powerful effect upon the multitude, and however much they might differ from the earl, they could not help admiring his constancy.
As he retired, a loud wail arose from the female portion of the spectators.
"My lord," observed Sir John Fryer, "I must beg you now to prepare yourself."