Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/71

 GEORGE GASCOIGNE, Esquire.

GASCOIGNE'S arraignment at BEAUTY'S bar.

[A Hundred Sundry Flowers.]

At Beauty's bar as I did stand; When FALSE SUSPECT accusèd me: "GEORGE," quoth the Judge, "hold up thy hand, Thou art arraigned of flattery. Tell therefore how thou wilt be tried? Whose judgment here, wilt thou abide?"

"My lord," quoth I, "this lady here, Whom I esteem above the rest; Doth know my guilt, if any were: Wherefore her doom shall please me best. Let her be judge and juror both, To try me guiltless by mine oath."

Quoth BEAUTY, "No! it sitteth not A Prince herself to judge the cause. Here is our Justice, well you wot, Appointed to discuss our laws. If you will guiltless seem to go: GOD and your country quite you so."

Then CRAFT the Crier called a quest, Of whom was FALSEHOOD foremost feer: A pack of pick-thanks were the rest, Which came false witness for to bear. The Jury such, the Judge unjust: Sentence was said I should be trusst.