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For, guilty as I am, I am so circumstanced

And see, who kneels before you! one who knelt not for his own life; who never, till this moment, bent his honoured knee but to that Almighty Judge, who hath commanded weak and erring men to be merciful, that they may obtain mercy. [The Judges whisper to one another.]

Thy case, Count Claudien, is piteous, though thou art very guilty. We must withdraw awhile before we make any reply to thy appeal for mercy. [The Judges withdraw.]

Who would not live or die for such a man? My noble friend! but thou shalt live. The very stones of these walls will cry out against them, if they have not mercy on thee.

If the Judges suffer themselves to be deluded