Page:Entertaining life & death of the amiable Lady Jane Gray (1).pdf/22

 Before the day appointed for her execution arrived, Lady Jane wrote the following letter to her unhappy father, who, she heard, was more disturbed with the thoughts of being the author of her death, than with the apprehensions of his own.

“F, altho’ it hath pleased GOD to hasten my death by you, by whom my life should rather have been lengthened; yet can I so patiently take it, as I yield GOD more hearty thanks for shortening my woeful days, than if all the world, had been given into my possession, with life lengthened at my own will: and, albeit I am well assured of your impatient dolors, redoubled many ways, both in bewailing your own woe and especially, as I hear, my unfortunate state; yet, my dear father, if I may without offence rejoice in my mishaps methinks in this I may account myself blessed; that washing my hands with the innocency of my fact my guiltless blood may cry before the LORD. Mercy to the innocent: And. tho’ I must needs acknowledge, that being constrained, as you well know, continually