Page:Guy Fawkes, or The history of the gunpowder plot.pdf/24

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GUY FAWKES, OR THE GUNPOWDER PLOT.

plot, and regretted his having yielded to the suggestion of his master, Catesby, and engaged in the conspiracy which had been attended with such baneful fruits. He was then hanged and quartered. Thus terminated the Thursday's proceedings

On the following day were drawn from the Tower to the Old Palace in Westminster, over against the Parliament House, where a scaffold was erected for their execution, Thomas Winter, the younger brother, Ambrose Rookwood, Robert Keyes, and Guido Fawkes the miner, by some called the devil of the vaults; of whom says an old author, 'had he not been a devil incarnate, he had never conceived so villanous a thought, nor been employed in so damnable an action.'

Winter and Rookwood appeared sorry for having been guilty of such a diabolical offence; and, having hung a short time at the halter, were dragged to the block, and there quickly despatched.

Keyes made little or no show of repentance, but went up the ladder in a most indifferent manner, where, not staying long, he turned himself off with a great leap which broke the rope; but after his fall, he was drawn to the block, and divided into four parts.

Fawkes, who was much weakened by the torture he had undergone for the purpose of extracting from him any statements that might prejudice those of whom the Government entertained suspicions, with difficulty, and with the assistance of the executioner, ascended the scaffold, and expiated, with his life, the offence of which he was the intended perpetrator.


James Brydone, Printer, 17 South Hanover Street, Edinburgh.