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Story
July 29, 1785
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
The dying speech of Mr. Cuffe, secretary to the Earl of Essex, delivered before his execution under Queen Elizabeth for the same treasonous offense that doomed his master. In it, he reflects on injustice, accepts his fate, seeks pardon, and welcomes death.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Remarkable dying Speech of Mr. Cuffe, Secretary to the Earl of Essex, who was executed in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, for the same offence which brought his master to the block. On the
I AM here adjudged to die for effecting an act never plotted, for plotting a plot never acted. Justice will have her course; accusers must be heard; greatness will have the victory: scholars and martialists (though learning and valour should have the pre-eminence) in England must die like dogs, and be hanged. To mistake this were but folly; to dispute it, but time lost; to alter it impossible: but to endure it is manly: and to scorn it, magnanimity.
The Queen is displeased, the lawyers injurious, and death terrible: but I crave pardon of the Queen; forgive the lawyers, and the world; desire to be forgiven and welcome death.
I AM here adjudged to die for effecting an act never plotted, for plotting a plot never acted. Justice will have her course; accusers must be heard; greatness will have the victory: scholars and martialists (though learning and valour should have the pre-eminence) in England must die like dogs, and be hanged. To mistake this were but folly; to dispute it, but time lost; to alter it impossible: but to endure it is manly: and to scorn it, magnanimity.
The Queen is displeased, the lawyers injurious, and death terrible: but I crave pardon of the Queen; forgive the lawyers, and the world; desire to be forgiven and welcome death.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Historical Event
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Justice
Tragedy
What keywords are associated?
Dying Speech
Execution
Treason
Earl Of Essex
Queen Elizabeth
Injustice
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Cuffe
Earl Of Essex
Queen Elizabeth
Where did it happen?
England
Story Details
Key Persons
Mr. Cuffe
Earl Of Essex
Queen Elizabeth
Location
England
Event Date
Reign Of Queen Elizabeth
Story Details
Mr. Cuffe, secretary to the Earl of Essex, is executed for treason. In his dying speech, he laments being condemned for an unacted plot, accepts the inevitability of injustice favoring the powerful, seeks pardon from the Queen and others, and embraces death with magnanimity.