JUDGE

SInce it hath been the custom of this state To place a stranger on this high Tribunal Ordaining a professor of the Laws, As his assistant (being the place you hold) It is our duty to discharge that trust With all integrity, and not to look Upon men's persons, but to weigh their crimes In equal balance, to which purpose now Although a strange and horrid sacrilege Ha called us hither in unusual haste; Yet it must be our chief care to proceed With endue deliberation; otherwise Though just our sentence be, we are unjust. We must not think we deserve praise for that Which to neglect would merit punishment. Yet where the law prescribes a certain rule A joust Judge cannot challenge liberty: But let us now pursue the work in hand, Where is the prisoner? His name? Then know, Virdugo, though thy heinous fact Be evident, yet the Justice of this state Grants thee free leave to answer for thy self. Bring forth the witnesses that he may see them. Have they been sworn? Then, by the oath you took, declare the truth Of what you know concerning this delinquent, Begin you first. There cannot be more clear and pregnant proof, What have you to allege in your defence? Hath he confessed Who set him on? whither he meant to kill Signior Imperial, or young Spinola? Such recreations Though in themselves they be in different, Yet in a sacred Temple th'are profane, And draw down vengeance. Let him alone, He hath no sense of his own misery, His boldness moves not me, I shall proceed With the unchanged countenance of Law, And with a voice not furious, but severe; When I condemn a guilty man, it's done, As if I struck a Serpent, not with passion. He takes delight not only in the act, But in the infamy of wickedness; But I will rid the world of such a monster; And therefore now, Verdugo, I pronounce, Because th'hast heaped up crimes, and drunk in vice, Which is dispersed into every limb, Thy body shall be laid upon a wheel, And limb by limb be broken, till thou diest; Nor shalt thou then find any other grave, Then the black maws of Vultures, and remain In the mean time a spectacle to men: This sentence justice hath declared by me. Not to be revoked, take him away, And early in the morning see't be done. Such malefactors in a State are Like To putrified members in men body, Which Like a skilful Surgeon, law finds best To cut off quite, lest they infect the rest.