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sent to the Tower; where the lady who was my greatest enemy was
appointed to watch me and lie in the same chamber with me。 This
was really as bad a punishment as my death; for she insulted me
with those keen reproaches and spiteful witticisms; which threw
me into such vapors and violent fits that I knew not what I
uttered in this condition。 She pretended I had confessed talking
ridiculous stuff with a set of low fellows whom I had hardly ever
taken notice of; as could have imposed on none but such as were
resolved to believe。 I was brought to my trial; and; to blacken
me the more; accused of conversing criminally with my own
brother; whom indeed I loved extremely well; but never looked on
him in any other light than as my friend。 However; I was
condemned to be beheaded; or burnt; as the king pleased; and he
was graciously pleased; from the great remains of his love; to
choose the mildest sentence。 I was much less shocked at this
manner of ending my life than I should have been in any other
station: but I had had so little enjoyment from the time I had
been a queen; that death was the less dreadful to me。 The chief
things that lay on my conscience were the arts I made use of to
induce the king to part with the queen; my ill usage of lady
Mary; and my jilting lord Percy。 However; I endeavored to calm
my mind as well as I could; and hoped these crimes would be
forgiven me; for in other respects I had led a very innocent
life; and always did all the good…natured actions I found any
opportunity of doing。 From the time I had it in my power; I gave
a great deal of money amongst the poor; I prayed very devoutly;
and went to my execution very composedly。 Thus I lost my life at
the age of twenty…nine; in which short time I believe I went
through more variety of scenes than many people who live to be
very old。 I had lived in a court; where I spent my time in
coquetry and gayety; I had experienced what it was to have one of
those violent passions which makes the mind all turbulence and
anxiety; I had had a lover whom I esteemed and valued; and at the
latter part of my life I was raised to a station as high as the
vainest woman could wish。 But in all these various changes I
never enjoyed any real satisfaction; unless in the little time I
lived retired in the country free from all noise and hurry; and
while I was conscious I was the object of the love and esteem of
a man of sense and honor。〃
On the conclusion of this history Minos paused for a small time;
and then ordered the gate to be thrown open for Anna Boleyn's
admittance on the consideration that whoever had suffered being
the queen for four years; and been sensible during all that time
of the real misery which attends that exalted station; ought to
be forgiven whatever she had done to obtain it。'11'
'11' Here ends this curious manuscript; the rest being destroyed
in rolling up pens; tobacco; &c。 It is to be hoped heedless people
will henceforth be more cautious what they burn; or use to other
vile purposes; especially when they consider the fate which had
likely to have befallen the divine Milton; and that the works
of Homer were probably discovered in some chandlers shop in Greece。
End