Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/144

132 and told us Mr. Harley was stabbed, and some confused particulars. I immediately ran to secretary St. John's hard by, but nobody was at home; I met Mrs. St. John in her chair, who could not satisfy me, but was in pain about the secretary, who, as she heard, had killed the murderer. I went strait to Mr. Harley's, where abundance of people were to inquire. I got young Mr. Harley to me; he said his father was asleep, and they hoped in no danger, and then told me the fact, as I shall relate it to your grace. This day the marquis de Guiscard was taken up for high treason, by a warrant of Mr. St. John, and examined before a committee of council in Mr. St. John's office; where were present, the dukes of Ormond, Buckingham, Shrewsbury, earl Powlet, Mr. Harley, Mr. St. John, and others. During examination, Mr. Harley observed Guiscard, who stood behind him, but on one side, swearing and looking disrespectfully. He told him he ought to behave himself better, while he was examined for such a crime. Guiscard immediately drew a penknife out of his pocket, which he had picked out of some of the offices, and reaching round, stabbed him just under the breast, a little to the right side; but it pleased God that the point stopped at one of the ribs, and broke short half an inch. Immediately Mr. St. John rose, drew his sword, and ran it into Guiscard's breast. Five or six more of the council drew, and stabbed Guiscard in several places: but the earl Powlet called out, for God's sake, to spare Guiscard's life, that he might be made an example; and Mr. St. John's sword was taken from him and broke: and the footmen without ran in, and bound Guiscard, who begged he might