Page:Entertaining life & death of the amiable Lady Jane Gray (1).pdf/12

 that she understood the infamy of those who had permitted the violation of right to gain acceptance that it were but to mock GOD and deride justice, to scruple at the stealing of a shilling, and not at the usupation of a Crown. Besides, said she, I am not so young, nor so little read in the guiles of fortune, to suffer myself to be taken by them; If she enrich any, it is but to make them the subject of her sport; if she raise others it is but to pleasure herself with their ruins; what she adored but yesterday, is to-day her pastime. And if I now permit her to adorn and crown me, I must to-morrow suffer her to crush and tear me in pieces——— But in case it should not prove fatal unto me, and that all its venom were confirmed, if fortune, should even give me warrant of her constancy, should I be well advised to take upon me these thorns which would dilacerate, tho' not kill me, outright; to burthen myself with a yoke which would not fail to torment me, tho' I were assured hot to be strangled with it? My liberty is better than the chain you profer me, with what precious stones so. ever it be adorned, or of whatsoever gold