“Are you not a member of the Catholic Church?”
“I am no member of yours, for ye be members of Antichrist, and shall have the reward of Antichrist.”
“What say you of the see of the Bishop of Rome?”
“I am none of his. As for his see, it is for crows, kites, owls, and ravens to swim in, such as you be; for by the grace of God I will not swim in that sea while I live, neither will I have any thing to do therewith.”
Nothing could overcome the playful wit of this indomitable girl. She punned on their words, she laughed at their threats, she held them up to ridicule. This must be ended.
For the fourth time Dr Chedsey assumed the black cap. Rose kept silence while she was condemned to death. But no sooner had his voice ceased than, to the amazement of all who heard her, she broke forth into song. It was verily:
“The shout of them that triumph,
The song of them that feast.”
She was led out of the court and down the dungeon steps, singing, till her voice filled the whole court.
“Yea, though I walk through death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear none ill;
Thy rod, Thy staff doth comfort me,
And Thou art with me still.”
Which was the happier, do you think, that night? Dr Chedsey, who had read the sentence of death upon ten martyrs? or young Rose Allen, who was to be burned to death in five weeks?