Compare 1577 edition: 1 Then was a letter shewed, which Wiat being in Southworke had written to the duke of Suf|folke, that he should méet him at Kingstone bridge, and from thense to accompanie him to London, al|though he came with the fewer number. Wiat at the first did not séeme to remember anie such letter; but when it was shewed him, he confessed his hand. Then was it demanded of him among other things, whie he refused the queenes pardon when it was offe|red him. My lords (quoth he) I confesse my fault and offense to be most vile and heinous,Wiats confes|sion. for the which first I aske God mercie, without the which I cannot cha|lenge anie thing, such is my offense alreadie com|mitted. And therefore I beséech you to trouble me with no more questions, for I haue deliuered all things vnto hir grace in writing. And finallie here I must confesse, that of all the voiages wherein I haue serued, this was the most desperat and painfull iorneie that euer I made. And where you asked whie I receiued not the quéenes pardon when it was offe|red vnto me;Wiat is sorie that he refu|sed the quéens pardon when it was offred. Oh vnhappie man! What shall I saie? When I was entred into this diuellish & desperat ad|uenture, there was no waie but wade through with that I had taken in hand: for I had thought that o|ther had béene as farre forward as my selfe, which I found farre otherwise. So that being bent to keepe promise with all my confederats, none kept promise with me; for I like a moile went through thicke and thin with this determination, that if I should come to anie treatie, I should séeme to bewraie all my friends.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 But whereto should I spend anie more words? I yéeld my selfe wholie vnto the quéenes mercie, knowing well that it is onelie in hir power to make me (as I haue deserued) an open example to the world with Wat Tiler; or else to make me partici|pant of that pitie which she hath extended in as great crimes as mine; most humblie beséeching you all to be means for me to hir highnesse for mercie, which is my last and onelie refuge. The will of God be doone on me. Upon this confession without further triall, he receiued the iudgement accustomed in cases of treason, which was to be hanged, drawne and quarte|red. And the eleuenth of Aprill next folowing he was brought to the Tower hill, and there was pardoned of his drawing and hanging,The executi|on of sir Tho|mas Wiat. but had his head stric|ken off, and his bodie cut in foure quarters, and set vp in diuerse places about the citie, but his head was set vppon the gallowes at Haie hill beside Hide parke.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 Now here by the waie is to be noted, that he being on the scaffold readie to suffer, declared that the la|die Elizabeth and sir Edward Courtneie earle of Deuonshire, whome he had accused before (as it sée|med) were neuer priuie to his dooings, as farre as he knew, or was able to charge them. And when doctor Weston, being then his confessor told him that he had confessed the contrarie vnto the councell, he an|swered thus; That I said then, I said, but that which I saie now is true. This was the end of Wiat and his conspiracie; as also the like hath béene of others attempting anie rebellion. For as their enterprise being, according to the proper qualitie thereof, con|sidered, is flat against Gods ordinance, who hath or|deined magistracie to be reuerenced of inferiors: so it is vnlikelie to bring other than infortunatnesse, and shamefull ouerthrowes vnto the attempters; in whome although will want not to compasse anie worke; yet force failing, they misse the marke, & all bicause rashnesse giueth them a false aime. Where|fore to conclude this tragicall discourse of Wiat, it were to be wished that the sage and safe counsell of Cato were put in common practise of all men, which is, to vndertake & doo nothing aboue their strength:

Quod potes, id tentes, operis ne pondere pressus,

Succumbat labor, & frustra tentata relinquas.