The arraignment and conviction of Sr VValter Rawleigh, at the Kings Bench-barre at Winchester. on the 17. of November. 1603. Before the right Honorable the Earle of Suffolke, Lord Chamberline, the Earle of Devon-shire, Lord Henry Howard, Lord Cecill, Lord Wotton, Sir John Stanhope Lord Chiefe Justice of the Common-pleas, Popham and Andrewes, Justice Gaudy, Justice Warberton, Sir William Wade, commissioners. / Coppied by Sir Tho: Overbury.

The Copy of Sir Walter Rawleighs Letter to his Wife, the night before his death.

YOu shall now receive (my deare wife) my last words in these my last lines. My love I send you that you may keep it when I am dead, and my cou••cell that you may remember it when I am no more I would not by my will present you with sorrowes (Deare Besse) let them go into the grave with me and be buried in the dust. And seeing that it is not Gods will that I should see you any more in this life, beare in patiently, and with a heart like thy selfe. first I send you all the thankes which my heart can conceive, or my words can reherse for your many travailes, and care taken for me, which though they have not taken effect as you wished, yet my debt to you is not the lesse: but pay it I never shall in this world. Secondly, I beseech you for the love you beare me living, do not hide your selfe many dayes, but by your travailes seeke to helpe your miserable fortunes, and the right of your poor childe. Thy mourning cannot availe me, I am but dust. Thirdly you shall under∣stand, that my land was conveyed bona fide to my childe: the writings were drawne at midsummer was twelve months, my honest cosen Brett can testify so much, and Dolberry too, can remem••er somewhat therein. And I trust my blood will quench their malice that have cruelly murthered me: and that they will not seek also to kill thee and thine with extreame poverty. To what friend to direct thee I know not, for all mine have left me in the true time of tryall. And I perceive that my death was determined from the first day. Most sorry I am God knowes that being thus surprised with death I can leave you in no better estate. God is my witnesse I meant you all my office of wines or all that I could have purchased by selling it, halfe my stuffe, and all my jew∣els, but some one for the boy, but God hath prevented all my resolutions. That great God that ruleth all in all, but if you can live free from want, care for no more, the rest is but vanity. Love God, and begin betimes to repose your selfe upon him, and therein shall you finde true and lasting riches, and endlesse comfort: for the rest when you have travelled and wearied your thoughts, ver all sorts of worldly cogitations, you shall but sit downe by sor∣row in the end. Teach your son also to love and feare God whilst he is yet young, that the feare of God may grow with him, and then God will be a husband to you, and a father to him; a husband and a father which cannot

be taken from you. Baily oweth me 200 pounds, and Adrian 600 in Iersey I also have much owing me besides. The arrearrages of the wines will pay, your debts. And howsoever you do, for my soules sake, pay all poore men. When I am gone, no doubt you shall be sought too, for the world thinkes that I was very rich. But take heed of the pretences of men, and their affections, for they last not but in honest and worthy men, and no greater misery can be∣fall you in this life, then to become a prey, and afterwards to be despised. I speake not this (God knowes) to disswade you from marriage, for it will be best for you both in respect of the world and of God. As for me I am no more yours, nor you mine, death hath cut us asunder: and God hath divided me from the world, and you from me. Remember your poore childe for his fa∣thers sake, who chose you, and loved you in his happiest times. Get those letters (if it be possible) which I writ to the Lords, wherein I sued for my life: God is my witnesse it was for you and yours that I desired life, but it is true that I disdained my self for begging of it: for know it (my deare wife) that your son is the son of a true man, and who in his owne respect despiseth death and all his mishapen & ugly formes. I cannot write much, God he knows how hardly I steale this time while others sleep, and it is also time that I should separate my thoughts from the world. Begg my dead body which living was denied thee; and either lay it at Sherburne (and if the land continue) or in Exeter-Church by my Father and Mother; I can say no more, time and death call me away, The everlasting, powerfull, infinite, and omnipo∣tent God, That Almighty God, who is goodnesse it selfe, the true life and true light keep thee and thine: have mercy on me, and teach me to forgive my persecutors and accusers, and send us to meet in his glorious Kingdome. My deare wife farewell. Blesse my poore boy. Pray for me, and let my good God hold you both in his armes. Written with the dying hand of sometimes thy Husband, but now alasse overthrowne;

Walter Rawleigh.

FINIS.