The near in blood, the nearer bloody (BM 1868,0808.6274)

Louis XVI kneels with his head on the block; Orléans, a ragged sansculotte, is the executioner; he puts his right foot on the King's head and raises the axe in both hands. A hideous old woman (left) inscribed 'Roberspierre en Poissard' kneels, holding a basket to catch the head. Marie Antoinette kneels behind the King, weeping, holding out her right arm to Orleans, saying: "How can'st thou do this deed? could not the Laws of Man of Nature, nor of Heaven, dissuade thee ? No beast so fierce, but knows some touch of Pity." The Dauphin kneels behind his mother, weeping, his hands folded in supplication. Orleans, whose face is blotched with drink, looks wildly to the right, away from his victim, and declaims:

"Shall future eyes, when this tale is told
Drop tears in pity for his hapless fate,
And read with detestation the misdeeds of Orleans;
The red nosed tyrant, cruel, barbarous,
And bloody - will they not say too,
That to possess the Crown, nor laws divine,
Nor human stopt my way? - Why let 'em say it;
They cant but say I strove to obtain the Crown;
I was not fool as well as villain
Now, for the deed Cousin farewel,
To me there's music in your passing bell.
Richard 3d"

Below the design:

"Thrice is he arm'd that has his quarrel just
And he but naked, though lock'd up in steel,
Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted,
The very weight of Orleans guilt shall crush him."
['2 Henry VI', III. ii.] 26 January 1793.

Hand-coloured etching