The true manner of the King's Trial at Westminster-Hall, by the high Court of Justice, from the twentieth day of January 1649, to the seven and twentieth of the same Month. Also the true manner of his being put to Death at Whitehall, near the Banqueting House the 30 of January, with his Speech made upon the Scaffold before he was beheaded.  
To the Tune of, Aim not too High.  
 

KIng Charles was once a Prince of a great state,  
But yet he died a Death unfortunate,  
Oh, he is gone, and now hath left us here,  
And God doth know what courses we shall stéer.   

Now my sad story to you I'll relate,  
At Westminster was called a Court of State,  
Where Sergeant Bradshaw was Lord Precedent,  
The Court being full, then for the King they sent.   

There to the Bar a Guard did him convey,  
In Januaries month the twentieth day,  
Whereas Solicitor Cook did read at large  
The order and the manner of his Charge.   

The King's Charge.  

Charles Stuart once admitted England's King,  
Which did such woes upon the Nation bring,  
In setting up thy Standard in the field.  
Which was the cause that so much blood was spilled   

Whereas thou didst raise Arms within the Land,  
Also against the Parliament did stand,  
The people's Rights and Liberties enthral,  
All these and more, thou didst Tirannical.   

Therefore you guilty are of these sad times,  
As Treason, Murder, and of such like crimes,  
For which at Bar a Prisoner you are,  
And in this Court you shall have Trial fair.   

Here is your jury, for it must be so,  
You be heard your Charge, plead guilty, I or no.  
What is it thus (than answered the King)  
Was it for this you, did me hither bring?    

The King's Answer to the Charge.  

As for your Charge a Rush I do not care,  
I do desire those things are right and square,  
It was for my people's freedom I did stand  
The Liberty and Laws of all the Land.   

I do desire to me you would unfold  
By whose Commission you this Court do hold,  
To whom the Precedent did strait reply,  
Sir, you shall know by whose Authority.   

This Court's prerogative whereon we stand,  
Ordained is by the Commons of the Land  
It is not for Prisoners to dispute the same  
Answer to that for which you hither came.   

Then their Authority he quite denied,  
And said by them he meant not to be tried,  
At which the Court their Verdict then did pass,  
(Not answering that he then guilty was)   

Then by the Clerk his Sentence there was read  
Saying, Charles Stuart, thou shalt lose thy head,  
For Murder, Treason, and for Tyranny,  
And to the Land a public enemy.   

Being condemned, one thing he did crave  
That Doctor juxsons presence he might have,  
To preach and the Communion him to give,  
And see his two sweet Babes whilst he did live.   

The which was granted, all performed and done,  
And he did see his Daughter and his Son,  
(It would have burst a stony heart to see  
The weeping joy that was between them three)   

He blessed them both, and for them he did pray,  
Mourning at parting, than they go their way,  
Father from Children, 'twas a grief full sore  
Each other in this world to see no more.   

Tuesday the thirtieth of January last,  
He from Saint James' unto Whitehall past  
Having a Guard of flying colours spread  
And rattling Drums as to a battle lead,   

With cheerful countenance and courage bold  
He said, march faster, for the day is cold  
Then to the Scaffold was he strait conveyed.  
The which with mourning cloth was overlaid.    

The King's Speech upon the Scaffold.  

Mounting the same (quoth he) I'll little say,  
For in this World I have not long to stay  
It is my duty first with God to clear  
My conscience free, next to my Country dear.   

Unto the Parliament I ne'er thought ill,  
Their Privileges never sought to spill,  
Ill Instruments on both sides bred the strife  
Who were the cause so many lost their life.   

The greatest enemies that sought my death,  
I do forgive, before I lose my breath  
I wish the Kingdom's peace, and Church's bliss,  
For now religion on't of order is.   

Lawful Succession I do hope shall be  
(Granted by Parliament) now after me,  
And for my conscience and religion  
I die a Protestant and a Christian.   

To Doctor juxson then his George he gave,  
Willing pr. Charles his Son the same might have  
His walking staff unto himself did give  
(And for his sake) to keep whilst he did live.   

Likewise he gave the Duke of Richmond then  
One Watch, another to a Gentleman,  
With eyes lift up to heaven he made a Prayer  
And then for Death did instantly prepare.   

(Saying, my earthly Crown I here must leave  
Hoping a heavenly Crown I shall receive)  
Then on the Block his Neck he there did lay  
And to the Headsman than these words did say;   

When as my hands and arms open stretch,  
Strike home, be sure that tho●● right blow fetch,  
I come, I come, Lord jesus the● the cried,  
One blow his head and body di● divide.   

Thus like a Lamb his Death he there did take  
And presently this World he did forsake,  
Whose soul I trust is with the Lord on high  
And thus I end this mournful Tragedy.   
FINIS.    

London, Printed for R. I. And Entered according to Order.