From a broadside at the Bodleian Library, Douce Ballads 2(145b):

The manner of the Kings Tryal at Westminster-Hall, by the High Court of Iustice, from the twentieth day of january, 1648, to the seven and twentieth day of the same month. [A]lso the true manner of his being put to death at White-hall, near the Banqueting-house, on the thirtieth day of Ianuary, with his Speech made upon the Scaffold before he was beheaded.

The Tune is, Aim not too high.

King Charles was once a Prince of a great state
But yet he dy'd a death unfortunate,
Oh, he is gone, and now hath left us here,
And God doth know what courses we shall steer.

Now my sad story to you i’le relate,
At Westminster was cal'd a Court of State,
Where Serjeant Bradshaw was Lord President,
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 Soliciter Cook did Read at large,
The order and the manner of his Charge.

The King's Charge.

Charles Stuart once admitted Englands King,
Which did such woes upon the Kingdom bring,
In setting up the Standard in the field,
Which was the cause that so much blood was spil’d.

Whereas thou didst raise arms within the Land,
Also against the Parliament did stand,
The peoples rights and liberties inthrall,
All those and more thou didst Tyrannical.

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

Here is your Jury, for it must be so,
You've heard your Charge, plead guilty, I or no,
What is it thus (then 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 peoples freedom I did stand,
The Liberties 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 President did straight reply,
Sir you shall know by whose Authority.

This Court Prerogative whereon we stand,
Ordained is by the Commons of this Land,
It is not for Prisoners to despute the same:
Answer to that for which you hither came.

Then their Authority he quite deny'd,
And said by them he meant not to be tri'd.
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 loose thy head
For murther, treason and for tyranny,
And to the Land a publique enemy.

Being condemn’d one thing he did crave,
That Doctor Juxon's presence he might have,
To Preach, and the Communion him to give,
And see his two sweet Babes while he did live.

The which was granted, all perform'd 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 these three.)

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

Tuesday the thirtieth of January last,
He from St. James to White-Hall past,
Having a Guard of flying colours spread,
And ratling Drums as to a Battel led.

With cheerful countenance and courage bold,
He said march faster, for the day is cold,
Then to the Scaffold he was streight convey'd
The which with mourning cloath was over-laid.

The King's speech upon the Scaffold.

Mounting the same (quoth he) I'le 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'r thought ill,
Their Priviledges never sought to spill,
Ill instruments on both sides bred the strife,
Who was the cause so many lost their life.

The greatest enemies that sought my death,
I do forgive before I loose my breath:
I wish the kingdoms peace and Churches bliss,
For now Religion out of order is.

Lawful succession I do hope shall be,
(Granted by Parliament) now after me;
And for my Conscience and Religion,
I dye a Protestant and a Christian.

To Doctor Juxon then his George he gave,
Willing P. 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 then these words did say.

When as my hands and arms I open stretch
Strike home, be sure that thou a right blow fetch:
I come, I come, Lord Jesus then he cry'd,
One blow his head and body did devide.

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 my mournful Tragedy.

F I N I S.

[London, Printed for] F. Coles in Wine-street neer Hatton-Garden.