‘the code of laws which it ſeems I have unfortunately tranſgreſſed. It is ſurely due to your nice ſenſe of juſtice to grant me a fair trial before you condem me.’
This anſwer, and the ſhrewd ſubterfuge which the priſoner aimed at by his quibbling objection, and the ſelf-poſſeſſion with which he ſtated it, prognoſticated no common character. In this expectation the rigorous judge abated ſomewhat of his reſentment, and replied, ‘My laws are no other than thoſe which nature has already inſcribed on thy heart—but, that thou mayeſt not complain of being condemned unheard, proceed, and freely confeſs who thou art, and what induced thee to come hither to range and riot as a ſpectre on my mountain. So ſhall I judge thee as I find thee.’ This the culprit was right glad to hear, in hopes, by a faithful relation of his adventures, to talk away the threatened vengeance of the ſprite, or at leaſt to mitigate the puniſhment.
