Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-08-09
Grace in Pardon.

III one Oi ohC Sdtd-OdSS > al Vie COuit
of Queen Elizabeth, of England, soon
after the execution of Mary START, the
general gayety was arrested by the
seizure Of courtly stranger by the
guard. His singular appearance crea-
ted suspicion, and being watched he
was found to be armed, and bent on
mischief The Queen having ordered
the guard to bring the prisoner before
her, asked him:
''Who are vou?"
"Marguerite Lebrun,'' was the reply.
"Marguerite! Marguerite." cried her
Majesty, lii wonder.
"Madam, | wear a beard - tearing
it from her face, "and also a mans ap
parel, but am a woman" ...
''Loose her hands," said Elizabeth to
the guard. -. -. .-.....
s'Nay, madam, I mind not rough
hand. What is the pinching of an arm
20 me, who carry broken heart"
"Who hath broken your heart %
elizabeth Of England" ...-
eve do greatly marvel at words so
bold and strange. Heard you ever, my
lords, Of the like Of the Queen Of Eng
land ?" -....
"Madam, you have reft all that my
heart did love. How could it help
breaking? My mistress, my queen, my
chief beloved Mary of Scotland. My
husband too. My all. Yes, lady; beg
CARED and broken hearted. You bid
me speak You babe me tell my er-
rand. I obey. For years my husband
and myself had been honored in her
service We were with her when
heu-madam, the horror of the scene
was dagger to my husband. | tried,
prayed that the wound might staunch;
but-but-lady, I am widow. | lost
loving husband at Fotheringay. |
felt my heart-strings yield but vowed
over both their coHins that / would live
to revenge both. | came here to fulfil
my vow. A few steps more and | had
succeeded. [ have struggled hard
against my purpose, but in vain" -5
1t cost the Queen a stern effort to
retain her composure under such a
speech, but she calmly asked: s..
"What think you is my duty upon
the hearing OF such a case: %
"Do you put the question to me as a
queen or as a Judge"
''As a queen"
SThen you shoald grant HE par
don"
"But what assurance can you give
me that you will not abuse my mercy
and attempt my life again? Should |
pardon, it should be at least upon con-
dition to be safe from your murderous
revenge in future"
"Grace fettered by precautions,
grace that hath conditions, is no grace .
by my faith, my lords" said the
Queen, ''thirty years have | now reign
ed, and never before have [ found a
person to read me so noble q lesson
My good lords, shall [ not bid her go %
Some Of her most trusted courtiers
demonstrated against this act, but the
Queen listened impatiently. Turning
to the prisoner, she said:
care you not Frenchwoman ?"
Il ann ......s ....-
"Whither would you go should I set
you tree ?"
''To my country and my kindred"
BY Gods wounds! I Will pardon
thee You shall have safe and honor
able conveyance to your own country.
My loyal guards, see that she is cared
for.'
The pardoned woman looked up with
wonder and gratitude, and admiration.
For the first time in the interview she
made an obeisance, and carried to her
grave reverence for the Queen who
could freely forgive great crime.
In like manner Christian hearts love
God, because he first loved them, and
his free forgiveness Of all their sins ex-
cites to wonder and gratitude and de-
votion.