Page:A View of the State of Ireland - 1809.djvu/465

OP IRELAND. 167 in some one matter, till it were examined through. That granted. It is good reason (quoth the Earle) that your Grace beare the mouth of this chamber. But my Lord, those mouthes that put this tale into your mouth, are very wide mouths, such indeed as have gaped long for my wreck, & now at length for want of better stuff, are fain to fill their mouths with smoak. What my cousin Desmond hath compassed, as I know not, so I beshrew his naked heart for hold- ing out so long. If bee can bee taken by my agents that presently vvayte for him, then have my adver- saryes betrayed their malice, and this heape of haynous wordes shall resemble a man of strawe, that seemeth at a blush to carry some proportion, but when it is felt and poysed, discovered! a vanity, serving onely to fray crowes, and I trust your Honours will see the proofe hereof and mine innocencie testified in this behalfe by the thing it selfe within these few dayes. But goe to, suppose hee never bee had, what is Kildare to blame for it, more then my good brother of Os- sory, notwithstanding his high promises, having also the Kings power, is glad to take egges for his monev, and bring him in at leysure. Cannot the Earle of Desmond shift, but I must be of counsell ? cannot hee bee hid, except I winke ? If hee bee close, am J his mate ? If he be friended, am I a Traytour ? This is a doughty kinde of accusation, which they urge against mee, whereiu they are stabled and myred at my first