These papers, if it please your grace to peruse, contain matters of import which demand most serious attention." "Anon, anon, sir earl!" answered Edward, impatiently, as Pembroke, kneeling, laid the papers on a small table of ivory which stood at the monarch's side.

"Tell me more of this strange farce; a king, ha! ha! Does the rebel think 'tis but to put a crown upon his head and a sceptre in his hand that makes the monarch--a king, forsooth.

And who officiated at this right solemn mockery?
'Twas, doubtless, a goodly sight!" "On my knightly faith, my liege, strangely, yet truly, 'twas a ceremony regally performed, and, save for numbers, regally attended." "Thou darest not tell me so!" exclaimed the king, striking his clenched hand fiercely on the table.

"I tell thee thou darest not; 'tis a false tale, a lie thrust upon thee to rouse thy spirit but to laugh at.

De Valence, I tell thee 'tis a thing that cannot be! Scotland is laid too low, her energies are crushed; her best and bravest lying in no bloodless graves.