Of falsehood, murder, heresy, and treason.”

Here the accuser knelt before the book,

And laid his hand upon the crucifix;

And with an oath confirmed his story’s truth,

By God, and by the Saviour’s agony.

He ceased. The judges arbitrate the cause,

But not by open voice or still discourse;

Scarce by a glance of eye, or sign of hand,

Their deep and dreadful thought communicate.

Each in his turn approached him to the throne,