DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0033
editor’s introduction.
XIX
relating to France, to popery, to the persecution of the dissenters,
&c ”
The pretended plot was discovered by Lord Howard, a man
of no principle, who was supposed to have shared in their councils.
There was no evidence of any value against them ; but Jeffreys
was the judge, and they were persons whom the King' wished to be
rid of. Essex was found in the Tower with his throat cut; Bussell
was first executed, and afterwards Sydney, who was convicted on
his reputation of a republican, and on a piece of paper found in his
study, written long' before, and said to contain republican doc-
trines. Monmouth surrendered himself shortly after, and was
persuaded by the King and the Duke of York to confess a plot
before the council; on which condition he received his pardon, but
he immediately made public declaration that there was no plot at
all.
Most people lamented the fate of Bussell and Sydney. Of the
many libels against the court, composed and distributed on this
occasion, the following c new song of the times’ is a fair specimen,
and is not devoid of wit.
“ ’Twere folly for ever
The Whigs* to endeavour
Disowning their plots, when all the world knows ’em :
Did they not fix
On a council of six,t
Appointed to govern, though nobody chose ’em ?
They, that bore sway,
Knew not one who’d obey,
Did Trincalo make such a ridiculous pother ?
* Whig was the term by which the party opposed to the aggressions of the
court began now generally to be designated.
t The council of six were Monmouth, Russell, Essex, Howard, Sydney, and
John Hampden, the latter being the grandson of the parliamentary leader.
c 2
XIX
relating to France, to popery, to the persecution of the dissenters,
&c ”
The pretended plot was discovered by Lord Howard, a man
of no principle, who was supposed to have shared in their councils.
There was no evidence of any value against them ; but Jeffreys
was the judge, and they were persons whom the King' wished to be
rid of. Essex was found in the Tower with his throat cut; Bussell
was first executed, and afterwards Sydney, who was convicted on
his reputation of a republican, and on a piece of paper found in his
study, written long' before, and said to contain republican doc-
trines. Monmouth surrendered himself shortly after, and was
persuaded by the King and the Duke of York to confess a plot
before the council; on which condition he received his pardon, but
he immediately made public declaration that there was no plot at
all.
Most people lamented the fate of Bussell and Sydney. Of the
many libels against the court, composed and distributed on this
occasion, the following c new song of the times’ is a fair specimen,
and is not devoid of wit.
“ ’Twere folly for ever
The Whigs* to endeavour
Disowning their plots, when all the world knows ’em :
Did they not fix
On a council of six,t
Appointed to govern, though nobody chose ’em ?
They, that bore sway,
Knew not one who’d obey,
Did Trincalo make such a ridiculous pother ?
* Whig was the term by which the party opposed to the aggressions of the
court began now generally to be designated.
t The council of six were Monmouth, Russell, Essex, Howard, Sydney, and
John Hampden, the latter being the grandson of the parliamentary leader.
c 2