An honest man; but in a rebel’s hands they’re vile
And mischievous. If ought may palliate
A traitor’s act, attempted in his sovereign’s camp,
I bid you speak ere I pronounce your sentence.”
With tone and mien that hushed
The buzzing noise of idle lackeys in the hall,
The patriot thus replied: “You know my name—
My rank;—my treach’rous kinsman made
My purpose plain. I’ve nothing further of myself
To tell beyond the charge of traitor to deny.