直到毕业那天都没想明白学校为什么要把这个挂在女洗手间门口。自从某天无聊的时候想不如我来读一读吧，无意中发现是居然这样一封哀婉到极致的信，之后每次来college的洗手间都感觉到一种别样的缠绵。
My Lords,
I Did yesterday satisfie the Justice of the Kingdom, by Passing the Bill of Attainder against the Earl of Strafford; but Mercy being as inherent and inseparable to a King as Justice, I desire at this time, in some measure, to shew that likewise, by suffering that unfortunate Man to fulfil the Natural Course of his Life in a Close Imprisonment;, Yet so, if ever he make the least offer to escape, or offer directly, or indirectly, to meddle in any sort of publick business, especially with Me, either by Message or Letter, it shall cost him his Life, without further Process: This, if it may be done without the Discontentment of My People, will be an unspeakable Contentment to Me. To which end, as in the first place, I by this Letter do earnestly desire your Approbation, and to endear it more, have chosen him to carry it, that of all your House is most dear to me; So I desire that by a Conference, you will endeavour to give the House of Commons Contentment assuring you that the exercise of Mercy is no more pleasing to Me, than to see both Houses of Parliament consent, for My sake, that I should moderate the severity of the Law in so important a Case.
I will not say, that your Complying with Me in this My intended Mercy, shall make Me more Willing, but certainly 'twill auks Me more Chearful, in Granting your Just Grievances: But, if no less than his Life can satisfie My People, I must say, Fiat Justitia. Thus again recommending the Consideration of My Intention to you, I rest,
Your unalterable and affectionate Friend,
Charles R.
Whitehall, 11th of May, 1641.
http://www.unterstein.net/or/docs/Strafford.pdf
May it please Your Sacred Majesty;
It hath been my greatest Grief in all these Troubles, to be taken as a person which should endeavour to represent and set things amiss between Your Majesty and Tour People, and to give Counsels tending to the Disquiet of the Three Kingdoms.
Most true it is, (that this mine own private Condition considered) it had been a great madness, (since through Your gracious Favour I was so provided) as not to expect in any kind to mend my Fortune, or please my Mind more, than by resting where your bounteous Hands had placed me.
Nay, it is most mightily mistaken; for unto Tour Majesty it is well known, my poor and humble Advices concluded still in this, That Tour Majesty and Your People could never be Happy, 'till there were a right Understanding betwixt You and them; and that no other Means were left to effect and settle this Happiness, but by the Counsel and Assent of Your Parliament, or to prevent the growing Evils of this State, but by entirely putting Tour Self in this last resort, upon the Loyalty and good Affections of Your English Subjects.
Yet such is my misfortune, that this Truth findeth little credit; yea, the contrary seemeth generally to be believed, and my self reputed as one who endeavoured to make a Separation between You and Your People: Under a heavier Censure than this, I am perswaded no Gentleman can suffer.
Now I understand the minds of Men are more and more incensed against me, notwithstanding Your Majesty hath Declared, That in Your Princely opinion I am not Guilty of Treason, and that you are not satisfied in Your Conscience to pass the Bill.
This bringeth me in a very great streight: There is before me the Ruin of my Children and Family, hitherto untouch'd in all the Branches of it with any foul Crime: Here are before me the many Ills, which may befall Your Sacred, Person and the whole Kingdom, should Your Self and Parliament part less satisfied one with the other, than is necessary for the preservation both of King and People: Here an before me the things most valued most feared by mortal Men, Life or Death.
To say, Sir, that there hath not been a strife in me, were to make me less Man, than, God knoweth, my Infirmities make me; and to call a Destruction upon my Self and young Children, (where the Intentions of my Heart, at least, have been innocent of this great Offence) may be believed, will find no easie consent from Flesh and Blood.
But with much sadness I am come to a resolution of that, which I take to be best becoming me, and to upon it, as that which is most principal in it self, which doubtless is the Prosperity of your Sacred Person, and the Common-wealth, things infinitely before any Private Man's Interest.
And therefore in few Words, as I put may self wholly upon the Honour and Justice of my Peers, so clearly, as to wish Your Majesty might please to have spared that Declaration of Your's on Saturday last, and intirely to have left me to their Lordships; So now, to set Your Majesty's Conscience at Liberty, I do most humbly beseech Your Majesty, for prevention of Evils which may happen by Your refusal to pass this Bill, and by this means to remove (praised be God) I cannot say this accursed, (but I confess) this unfortunate thing, forth of the Way towards that blessed agreement, which God, I trust, shall ever establish between You and Your Subjects.
Sir, My Consent shall more acquit You herein to God, than all the World can do besides; To a willing Man there is no Injury done: And as, by God's Grace, I forgive all the World, with a calmness and meekness of infinite Contentment to my dislodging Soul; So, Sir, to You I can give the Life of this World, with all the chearfulness imaginable, in the just acknowledgment of Your exceeding Favours; and only beg, that in Your Goodness, You would vouchsafe to cast Your Gracious Regard upon my poor Son, and his three Sisters, less or more, and no otherwise than as their (in present) unfortunate Father may hereafter appear more or less guilty of this Death. God long preserve Your Majesty.
Your Majesty's most Faithful, And Humble Subject, And Servant,
Strafford.
Tower, May. 4. 1641.