Gardiner expressed his disapprobation of such a measure; and also his resentment against Pembroke, for urging the Queen to a mercy and grace, so ill-timed and hazardous, as thus to grant pardon to one who had dared to wear her crown and wrest the authority from her hands. In vain Pembroke pleaded: Gardiner considered him only as a lover, and treated his remonstrances with cool contempt, declaring, proudly, that while he held the seal, no pardon should be granted to heretics or traitors; and immediately left him, to seek the presence of Mary. Pembroke did not much regard the threats of the prelate. Mary's word was pledged and could not be revoked; and, exulting in the happy tidings he had to communicate, he hastened to the several apartments where the prisoners were confined. The beauteous Jane, who through the night had kept her watchful vigils, forgetful of this transient world, her whole soul bent on her approach to the realms of everlasting bliss, was now interrupted in her pure devotions by the sudden entrance of Guilford and Pembroke with the joyful news of the Queen's free pardon. Guilford was transported with the blissful tidings-and even Jane, though resigned to the will of Heaven, and prepared to bow ner neck to the stroke of fate, was not insensible to the joys of life. The sight of her adored Guilford had aroused all the tender sympathies of nature; to live beloved, was a hope, a transcendent hope of happiness, willingly to be admitted: and though death for Jane had few pangs, raised as her pure soul was above the common weakness of humanity, yet life had many charms, while Guilford, as the treasure and solace of that life, was spared to her. She knelt and poured out thanks to her Almighty Father, for this unexpected joy! but her ardent thanksgivings were interrupted by Gardiner, who came to confirm the gracious pardon of the Queen, and to give more ample testimony of her grace and future favour. Her anxiety for their eternal peace was, he said, more an object with her than their present welfare; and she had therefore issued her royal mandate, that they should instantly renounce their heresy, and yield obedience to the church of Rome! Guilford and Jane started at the idea of abjuring their faith, but Gardiner informed them, on such terms only could their pardon be confirmed!! ""Tis false as hell (exclaimed the indignant Pembroke), the mercy of the Queen was given without restriction. It is thy base insidious arts have induced her to retract that full and free pardon granted to me; and canst thou dare to think, princes will so far forget their dignity and power, to barter their grace and favour, as Romish priests their pardons ?" Gardiner treated his violence and resentment with the most insulting coolness; and, deliberately showing him the signet of the Queen, said he probably would not dispute its power; or presume to mistake her majesty's meaning. Pembroke flew to the Queen, and found the treacherous report too true. Mary refused to fulfil her given word on any other terms than those already offered; and he had the agony of knowing that his beloved friends were led to the scaffold, without the power on his part to avert their dreadful doom! Guilford and Jane resisted all the insidious persuasions of Gardiner, to abjure their heresy, and preserve their lives. He indeed argued with that infuriated zeal, which so strongly marked the prelates of those dreadful times; but all in vain. Jane remained unmoved, and Guilford, inspired by her bright example, refused the conditional mercy offered; then clasping again, and again, his tender partner to his breast, he exerted his utmost fortitude, and with a firm and steady step, proceeded to the scaffold. The merciless prelate still continued his persecutions towards Jane; while she entreated him to leave her to herself; and permit her to employ, undisturbed, the few intervening moments which still remained, between her and eternity. Gardiner at this became incensed, and accused her of folly, perversion of judgment, and the sin of yielding her life for the confirmation of error! "Peace (she exclaimed), I prithee peace-ere we shall meet again, it will be truly known, who judge aright, or who persist in error! till then farewell." "Wilt thou then die, die in the cause of cursed heresy thy blood be on thy head !!" My blood be where it falls; let the earth hide it; And guard that faith, for which I die to-day.**** Notwithstanding her calmness and resignation,. Jane's fortitude was again put to a severe test, in parting from her weeping attendants; but she exTorted them to patience, and distributing some trifling gifts among them, embraced, and bade them an eternal farewell! As she passed along to the place of execution, she met the headless body of her husband streaming with blood. She motioned with her hand, that the bearers should stop awhile, and in silence they obeyed. She gazed on the lifeless form for a few moments-then breathing a sigh, desired. them to proceed; and calmly approached the scaffold. An awful stillness now prevailed ;-no sound disturbed the deathlike silence, save the bell tolling, at intervals, its solemn knell. When on the scaffold, she addressed the by-standers, saying-" that her offence was not that she had laid her hand upon the crown; her crime was that she had not' rejected it with sufficient constancy. She had erred in filial obedience rather than from ambition; and willingly resigned herself to death, as the only atonement she had it in her power to make to the injured state! and she trusted her sentence would be as a warning to those who might hereaster tread in her steps; and prove that innocence is no just plea in extenuation of deeds, which tend to injure the community." She then ordered herself to be disrobed, and clasping her hands, she raised her eyes to heaven, ejaculated a short but fervent prayer, and bowed her devoted head to the murderous axe. So fare thee well, thou beauteous excellence; |