Earl Henry. Bad as these were, the means he employed to 45
give effect to them were still worse. He trafficked with France
against the independence of his Country. He was a traitor,
my Friend! and died a traitor's death. His two sons suffered
with him, and many, (I fear, too many) of his adherents.
Sandoval. Earl Henry! (a pause) If the sentence were just, 50
why was not the execution of it public. . . . It is reported, that
they were—but no! I will not believe it—the honest soul of
my friend would not justify so foul a deed.
Earl Henry. Speak plainly—what is reported?
Sandoval. That they were all assassinated by order of the 55
new Queen.
Earl Henry. Accursed be the hearts that framed and
the tongues that scattered the Calumny!—The Queen was
scarcely seated on her throne; the Chancellor, who had been
her Guardian, exerted a pernicious influence over her 60
judgement—she was taught to fear dangerous commotions in the
Capital, she was intreated to prevent the bloodshed of the
deluded citizens, and thus overawed she reluctantly consented
to permit the reinforcement of an obsolete law, and——
Sandoval. They were not assassinated then?—— 65
Earl Henry. Why these bitter tones to me, Sandoval? Can
a law assassinate? Don Manrique [sic] and his accomplices
drank the sleepy poison adjudged by that law in the State
Prison at Pampilona. At that time I was with the army on
the frontiers of France. 70
Sandoval. Had you been in the Capital——
Earl Henry. I would have pledged my life on the safety of
a public Trial and a public Punishment.
Sandoval. Poisoned! The Father and his Sons!—And this,
Earl Henry, was the first act of that Queen, whom you idolize! 75
