of Highness gets more emphatic] that the Laws had a freer exercise, more uninterrupted by any hand of Power, in those years than now; or that the Judge has been less solicited by letters or private interpositions either of my own or other men's, in double so many years in all those times 'named' "of Peace!" [Sentence involving an incurable Irishbull; the head of it eating the tail of it, like a Serpent-of-Eternity; but the meaning shining very clear through its contortions nevertheless!] And if more my Lords the Judges were here than now are, they could tell us perhaps somewhat farther.* And therefore I say, under favour: These two Experiences do manifestly show that it is not a Title, though never so interwoven with our Laws, that makes the Law to have its free passage, and to do its office without interruption (as we venture to think it is now doing): 'not a Title, no;' and if a Parliament shall determine that another Name run through the Laws, I believe it will run with as free a passage as this 'of King ever did.' Which is all I have to say upon that head. And if this be so, then truly other things may fall under a more indifferent consideration:** and so I shall arrive at the Second thing I had in view,' at some issue of answering for myself in this great matter. And all this while, nothing that I say doth any way determine as to my final resolution, or 'intimate any' thought against the Parliament's wisdom in this matter; but 'endeavoureth' really and honestly and plainly towards such an answer as may be fit for me to give. The Parliament desires to have this Title. It hath stuck with me, and doth yet stick. As truly, and I hinted. * Reform of Chancery; improvements made in Law. **"Other things," your other arguments, may lose a great deal of their formidable air of cogency, as if Necessity herself were backing them. * the other day, it seemed as if your arguments to me did partly give positive grounds for what was to be done, and partly comparative grounds; stating the matter as you were then pleased to do, for which I gave no cause that I know of, that is, for comparing the effects of Kingship with those of such a Name as I at present bear, with 'those of the Protectorship 'to wit.' I say, I hope it will not be understood that I contend for the Name; or for any name, or any thing 'of a merely extraneous nature;' but truly and plainly 'for the substance of the business,' if I speak as in the Lord's presence; ay, in all right things, as a person under the disposal of the Providence of God, neither "naming" one thing nor other; but only endeavouring to give fit answer as to this proposed Name or Title.** For I hope I do not desire to give a rule to anybody much less to the Parliament.' I professed I had not been able, and I truly profess I have not yet been able, to give a rule to myself 'in regard to your Proposal.' I would be understood in this. [Yes, your Highness. "That it is not doubt of the Par"liament's wisdom; that it is not vain preference or post"ponence of one 'name' to another; but doubt as to the "substantial expediency of the thing proposed, uncertainty as to God's will and monition in regard to it, that "has made and still makes me speak in this uncomfortable, “haggling, struggling and wriggling manner. It is no easy thing forcing one's way through a jungle of such "depth! An affair of Courtship moreover, which grows Saturday last, day before Yesterday. - ** The original (Somers, vi. 368) unintelligible, illegible except with the powerfullest lenses, yields at last, with some slight changes of the points and so forth, this sense as struggling at the bottom of it. "and has to grow by the very handling of it! I would "not be misunderstood in this."] I am a man standing in the Place I am in [Clearly, your Highness]; which Place I undertook not so much out of hope of doing any good, as out of a desire to prevent mischief and evil [Note this], which I did see was imminent on the Nation. I say, we were running headlong into confusion and disorder, and would necessarily ‘have' run into blood; and I was passive to those that desired me to undertake the Place which I now have, [With tones, with a look of sorrow, solemnity and nobleness; the brave Oliver!] A Place, I say, not so much of doing good, — which a man lawfully may, if he deal deliberately with God and his own conscience, a man may (I say) lawfully, if he deal deliberately with God and his own conscience; a man may lawfully, as the case may be (though it is a very tickle case), desire a Place to do good in! [Window once more into his Highness! "Tickle" is the old form of TICKLISH: "a tickle case indeed," his Highness candidly allows; yet a case which does occur, shame and woe to him, the poor cowardly Pedant, tied up in cobwebs and tape-thrums, that neglects it when it does!] I profess I had not that apprehension, when I undertook the Place, that I could so much do good; but I did think I might prevent imminent evil And therefore I am not contending for one "name" compared with another; and therefore have nothing to answer to any arguments that were used for preferring 'the name' Kingship to Protectorship. For I should almost think any “name” were better than my Name; and I should altogether think any person fitter than I am for such business; [Your Highness? But St. Paul too professed himself "the chief of sinners," and has not been altogether thought to "cant" in doing so!] and I compliment not, God knows it! But this I should say, That I do think, you, in the settling of the peace and liberties of this Nation, which cries as loud upon you as ever Nation did for somewhat that may beget a consistence, 'ought to attend to that;' otherwise the Nation will fall in pieces! And in that, so far as I can, I am ready to serve not as a King, but as a Constable 'if you like!' For truly I have, as before God, often thought that I could not tell what my business was, nor what I was in the place I stood in, save comparing myself to a good Constable set to keep the peace of the Parish. [Hear his Highness!] And truly this hath been my content and satisfaction in the troubles I have undergone, That you yet have peace. Why now, truly, if I may advise, I wish to God you may but be so happy as to keep the peace still! If you cannot attain to such perfection as to accomplish this 'that we are now upon,' I wish to God we may still have peace, that I do! But the "fruits of righteousness" are shown in "meekness;" a better thing than we are aware of! I say therefore, I do judge for myself there is no such necessity of this Name of King; for the other Names may do as well. I judge for myself. I must say a little (I think I have somewhat of conscience to answer as to the matter), why I cannot undertake this Name. [We are now fairly entered upon the Second head of method.] And truly I must needs go a little out of the way, to come to my reasons. And you will be able to judge of them when * If I may advise, I should say the purport and soul of our whole inquiry at present ought to be that of keeping the peace. I have told you them. And I shall deal seriously, as before God. If you do not all of you, I am sure some of you do, and it behoves me to say that I do, "know my calling from the first to this day." I was a person who, from my first employment, was suddenly preferred and lifted up from lesser trusts to greater; from my first being a Captain of a Troop of Horse; and did labour as well as I could to discharge my trust; and God blessed me 'therein' as it pleased Him. And I did truly and plainly, and in a way of foolish simplicity, as it was judged by very great and wise men, and good men too, desire to make my instruments help me in that work. And I will deal plainly with you: I had a very worthy Friend then; and he was a very noble person, and I know his memory is very grateful to all, Mr. John Hampden. [Hear, hear; - a notable piece of History!] At my first going out into this engagement, *I saw our men were beaten at every hand. I did indeed; and desired him that he would make some additions to my Lord Essex's Army, of some new regiments; and I told him I would be serviceable to him in bringing such men in as I thought had a spirit that would do something in the work. This is very true that I tell you; God knows I lie not. ** "Your troops," said I, 'are most of them old "decayed serving-men, and tapsters, and such kind of "fellows; and," said I, "their troops are gentlemen's "sons, younger sons and persons of quality: do you - * enterprise. แ ** A notable clause of a sentence, this latter too; physiognomic enough; and perhaps very liable to be misunderstood by a modern reader. The old phrase, still current in remote quarters. "It's no lie." which signifies an emphatic and even courteous assent,and affirmation, must be borne in mind. Carlyle, Cromwell. IV. 5 ARD TA |