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William Harrison Ainsworth Guy Fawkes or The gunpowder Treason An Historical RomanceThe Modern Man Pursues Drama and Bravery Guy Fawkes Interrogated by King James the First "Salisbury then waved his hand. The door was thrown open, and an officer entered the room, followed by Guy Fawkes, who marched between two halberdiers. When within a couple of yards of the King, the officer halted, and withdrew a little on the right, so as to allow full view of the prisoner, while he extended his sword between him and the King. Nothing could be more undaunted than the looks and demeanor of Fawkes. He strode firmly into the room, and without making any reverence, folded his arms upon his breast, and looked sternly at James. A bold villain! cried the King, as he regarded him with curiosity not unmixed with alarm. Who, and what are you, traitor? A conspirator, replied Fawkes. That I know, rejoined James, sharply. But how are you called? John Johnson, answered Fawkes. I am servant to Mr. Thomas Percy. That is false cried Salisbury. Take heed that you speak the truth, traitor, or the rack shall force it from you. The rack will force nothing from me, replied Fawkes, sternly; neither will I answer any question asked by your lordship Leave him to me, Salisbury,--leave him to me, interposed James. And it was your hellish design to blow us all up with gunpowder? he demanded. It was, replied Fawkes. and how could you resolve to destroy so many persons, none of whom have injured you? pursued James. Dangerous diseases require desperate remedies, replied Fawkes. Milder means have been tried, but without effect. It was God's pleasure that this scheme, which was for the benefit of his holy religion, should not prosper, and therefore I do not repine at the result. And are you so blinded as to suppose that Heaven can approve the actions of him who raises his hand against the King--against the Lord's anointed? cried James. he is no king who is excommunicated by the apostolic see, replied Fawkes. This to our face! cried James, angrily. Have you no remorse -no compunction for what you have done? My sole regret is that I have failed, replied Fawkes. You will not speak thus confidently on the rack, said James. Try me, replied Fawkes..."-p.260 The engravings, on steel, by George Cruikshank for Ainsworth's novel illustrate the style of the modern image of the plot quite well. Select your favorite scene from the table below. Let us know what you think ! send us e.mail |