Lately he had repeated his offence; and in consequence was now under sentence to lose WHAT REMAINED OF HIS EARS, pay a fine of 5,000 pounds, be branded on both cheeks, and remain in prison for life.
"These be honourable scars," he said, and turned back his grey hair and showed the mutilated stubs of what had once been his ears.
The King's eye burned with passion.

He said-- "None believe in me--neither wilt thou.

But no matter--within the compass of a month thou shalt be free; and more, the laws that have dishonoured thee, and shamed the English name, shall be swept from the statute books.

The world is made wrong; kings should go to school to their own laws, at times, and so learn mercy." {1}.