 of
Britain?
And that the Objects, whom he destines to the Punishment of Felons, are the very Men who deserve the Praise and Esteem of Mankind The Stage, on which they should suffer, would be to them a Stage of Honour, but a Stage of Shame to
Edward,
a Reproach to his Conquests, a dark and indelible Disgrace to his Name.
No, my Lord. Let us rather disappoint the saucy Ambition of these Burghers, who wish to invest themselves with Glory at our Expence. We cannot, indeed, wholely deprive them of the merit of a Sacrifice so nobly intended; but we may cut them short of their Desires; in the Place of that Death, by which their Glory would be consummate, let us bury them under Gifts, let us put them to Shame with Praises; we shall thereby defeat them of that popular Opinion which never fails to attend those who suffer in the Cause of Virtue.
I am convinced; you have prevailed; be it so, cryed
Edward,
prevent the Execution; have them instantly before us!
They came, when the Queen, with an Aspect and Accents diffusing Sweetness, thus bespoke them.
Natives of France, and Inhabitants of
Calais,
Ye have put us to vast Expence of Blood and Treasure in the Recovery of our just and natural Inheritance; but, you acted up to the best of an erroneous Judgment, and we admire and honour in you that Valour and Virtue, by which we are so long kept out of our rightful Possessions.
You noble Burghers, you excellent Citizens! though you were tenfold the Enemies of our Person and our Throne, we can feel nothing, on our Part, save Respect and Affection for You. You have been sufficiently tested. We loose your Chains, we snatch You from the Scaffold; and we thank You for that Lesson of Humiliation which you teach us, when you shew us that Excellence is not of Blood, of Title, or Station; that Virtue gives a Dignity superior to that of Kings; and that Those, whom the Almighty informs with Sentiments like yours, are justly and eminently raised above all human Distinctions.
You are now free to depart to your Kinsfolk, your Countrymen, to all Those whose Lives and Liberties You have so nobly redeemed, provided you refuse not to carry with You the due Tokens of our Esteem.
Yet, we would rather bind You, to ourselves, by every endearing Obligation; and for this Purpose, we offer to You your Choice of the Gifts and Honours that
Edward
has to bestow. Rivals for Fame, but always Friends to Virtue,
