"The Court finds the prisoner guilty, and its sentence is that the prisoner pay a fine of five thousand pounds, that he stand in pillory at Tyburn for one day, and that his ears be clipped by the common hangman, and that he remain in prison for three years—God save the Queen!"
Then occurred a startling interruption, the prisoner spoke.
"I am guilty of assault, my Lord," he cried, "but, before God and High Heaven, I am no conspirator; I, also, cry God save the Queen!"
Then he sat down.
All was over, the dread sentence had been pronounced, and forthwith the warders proceeded to lead the prisoner from the dock.
The crowd departed, and in a few minutes the Star Chamber was untenanted save by a few warders.
The terrible news had spread abroad and seditious cries, mingled with oaths and execrations, rent the air.
The judges and King Philip had departed by private exits, but as the Pursuivant and his men reached the street a fierce contest between the military and the 'prentices arose.
Great stones hurtled through the air, and the clubs of the "City Boys" made fine play with the swords and rapiers of the halberdiers.
But the Household Guards, on their strong Flemish horses, swept all before them, and closing in a dense body around the Pursuivant, conveyed him to a place of safety.