Finally, he observed, that law was not his vocation. He was no
pettifogger, but he had endeavored loyally to conform himself to the
broad and general principles of honor, justice, and truth. In a very few
and simple words, he begged his judges to have regard to his deeds, and
to a life of loyal service. If he had erred occasionally in those times
of tumult, his intentions had ever been faithful and honorable.

The charges against Count Egmont were very similar to those against Count
Horn. The answers of both defendants were nearly identical.
Interrogations thus addressed to two different persons, as to
circumstances which had occurred long before, could not have been thus
separately, secretly, but simultaneously answered in language
substantially the same, had not that language been the words of truth.
Egmont was accused generally of plotting with others to expel the King
from the provinces, and to divide the territory among themselves.
Through a long series of ninety articles, he was accused of conspiring
against the character and life of Cardinal Granvelle. He was the
inventor, it was charged, of the fool's-cap livery. He had joined in the
letters to the King, demanding the prelate's removal. He had favored the
fusion of the three councils. He had maintained that the estates-general
ought to be forthwith assembled, that otherwise the debts of his Majesty
and of the country could never be paid, and that the provinces would go
to the French, to the Germans, or to the devil. He had asserted that he
would not be instrumental in burning forty or fifty thousand men, in
order that the inquisition and the edicts might be sustained. He had
declared that the edicts were rigorous. He had advised the Duchess, to
moderate them, and remove the inquisition, saying that these measures,
with a pardon general in addition, were the only means of quieting the
country. He had advised the formation of the confederacy, and promised
to it his protection and favor. He had counselled the presentation of