ODES,with other Lyric Poesies.

THeseLyric pieces, short, and few,Most worthy Sir, I send to you;To read them be not weary!They may becomeJohn Heweshis lyre,Which oft, at Polesworth,[19]by the fire,Hath made us gravely merry.Believe it, he must have the trickOf Ryming, with Invention quick,That should do Lyrics well:But how I have done in this kind,Though in myself I cannot find,Your judgment best can tell.Th' old British Bards (upon their harpsFor falling Flats, and rising Sharps,That curiously were strung)To stir their Youth to warlike rage,Or their wild fury to assuage,In these loose Numbers sung.No more I, for fools' censure pass,Than for the braying of an ass;Nor once mine ear will lend them:If you but please to take in greeTheseOdes, sufficient 'tis to me:Your liking can commend them.

Yours,

Michael Drayton.

To his Valentine.

MUse, bid the Morn awake!Sad Winter now declines,Each bird doth choose a Make;This day's SaintValentine's.For that good Bishop's sakeGet up, and let us seeWhat Beauty it shall beThat Fortune us assigns!But, lo, in happy hour,The place wherein she lies;In yonder climbing Tower,Gilt by the glitt'ring Rise!O,Jove, that in a shower(As once that Thunderer did,When he in drops lay hid)That I could her surprise!Her canopy I'll draw,With spangled plumes bedight:No mortal ever sawSo ravishing a sight;That it the Gods might awe,And pow'rfully transpierceThe globy Universe,Outshooting every light.My lips I'll softly layUpon her heavenly cheek,Dyed like the dawning day,As polished ivory sleek;And in her ear I'll say:"O thou bright Morning Star!'Tis I, that come so far,My Valentine to seek."Each little bird, this tide,Doth choose her lovèd pheere;Which constantly abideIn wedlock all the year,As Nature is their guide;So may we Two be trueThis year, nor change for new;As turtles coupled were."The sparrow, swan, the dove,ThoughVenus'birds they be;Yet are they not for love,So absolute as we!For reason us doth move;But they by billing woo.Then try what we can do!To whom each sense is free."Which we have more than they,By livelier organs swayed;Our Appetite each wayMore by our Sense obeyed.Our Passions to display,This season us doth fit;Then let us follow it.As Nature us doth lead!"One kiss in two let's breathe!Confounded with the touch,But half words let us speak!Our lips employed so much,Until we both grow weak:With sweetness of thy breath,O smother me to death!Long let our joys be such!"Let's laugh at them that chooseTheir Valentines by lot;To wear their names that use,Whom idly they have got."SaintValentine, befriend!We thus this Morn may spend:Else, Muse, awake her not!

IF thus we needs must go;What shall our one Heart do,This One made of our Two?Madam, two Hearts we brake;And from them both did takeThe best, one Heart to make.Half this is of your Heart,Mine in the other part;Joined by an equal Art.Were it cemented, or sewn;By shreds or pieces known,We might each find our own.But 'tis dissolved and fixed;And with such cunning mixed,No diff'rence that betwixt.But how shall we agree,By whom it kept shall be:Whether by you or me?It cannot two breasts fill;One must be heartless still,Until the other will.It came to me to-day:When I willed it to say,With Whether would it stay?It told me, "In your breast,Where it might hope to rest:For if it were my guest,"For certainty, it knewThat I would still anewBe sending it to you!"Never, I think, had twoSuch work, so much, to do:A Unity to woo!Yours was so cold and chaste:Whilst mine with zeal did waste;Like Fire with Water placed.How did my Heart intreat!How pant! How did it beat,Till it could give yours heat!Till to that temper brought,Through our perfection wrought,That blessing either's thought.In such a height it liesFrom this base World's dull eyes;That Heaven it not envies.All that this Earth can show,Our Heart shall not once know!For it's too vile and low.

PRiestsofApollo, sacred be the roomFor this learned meeting! Let no barbarous groom,How brave soe'er he be,Attempt to enter!But of the Muses free,None here may venture!This for the Delphian Prophets is prepared:The profane Vulgar are from hence debarred!And since the Feast so happily begins;Call up those fair Nine, with their violins!They are begot byJove.Then let us place themWhere no clown in may shove,That may disgrace them:But let them near to youngApollosit;So shall his foot-pace overflow with wit.Where be the Graces? Where be those fair Three?In any hand, they may not absent be!They to the Gods are dear:And they can humblyTeach us, ourselves to bear,And do things comely.They, and the Muses, rise both from one stem:They grace the Muses; and the Muses, them.Bring forth your flagons, filled with sparkling wine(Whereon swollenBacchus, crownèd with a vine,Is graven); and fill out!It well bestowingTo every man about,In goblets flowing!Let not a man drink, but in draughts profound!To our godPhœbus, let the Health go round!Let your Jests fly at large; yet therewithalSee they be Salt, but yet not mixed with Gall!Not tending to disgrace:But fairly given,Becoming well the place,Modest and even,That they, with tickling pleasure, may provokeLaughter in him on whom the Jest is broke.Or if the deeds of Heroes ye rehearse:Let them be sung in so well-ordered Verse,That each word have its weight,Yet run with pleasure!Holding one stately heightIn so brave measureThat they may make the stiffest storm seem weak;And dampJove's thunder, when it loud'st doth speak.And if ye list to exercise your vein,Or in the Sock, or in the Buskined strain;Let Art and Nature goOne with the other!Yet so, that Art may showNature her mother:The thick-brained audience lively to awake,Till with shrill claps the Theatre do shake.Sing Hymns toBacchusthen, with hands upreared!Offer toJove, who most is to be feared!From him the Muse we have.From him proceedethMore than we dare to crave.'Tis he that feedethThem, whom the World would starve. Then let the lyreSound! whilst his altars endless flames expire.

HErloved I most,By thee that 's lost,Though she were won with leisure;She was my gain:But to my pain,Thou spoilest me of my treasure.The ship full fraughtWith gold, far sought,Though ne'er so wisely helmèd,May suffer wrackIn sailing back,By tempest overwhelmèd.But She, good Sir!Did not preferYou, for that I was ranging:But for that SheFound faith in me,And She loved to be changing.Therefore boast notYour happy lot;Be silent now you have her!The time I knewShe slighted you,When I was in her favour.None stands so fastBut may be castBy Fortune, and disgracèd:Once did I wearHer garter there,Where you her glove have placèd.I had the vowThat thou hast now,And glances to discoverHer love to me;And She to thee,Reads but old lessons over.She hath no smileThat can beguile;But, as my thought, I know it:Yea to a hair,Both when, and where,And how, she will bestow it.What now is thineWas only mine,And first to me was given;Thou laugh'st at me!I laugh at thee!And thus we two are even.But I'll not mourn,But stay my turn;The wind may come about, Sir!And once againMay bring me in;And help to bear you out, Sir!

GOodfolk, for gold or hire,But help me to a Crier!For my poor Heart is run astrayAfter two Eyes, that passed this way.Oh yes! O yes! O yes!If there be any man,In town or country, canBring me my Heart again;I'll please him for his pain.And by these marks, I will you showThat only I this Heart do owe [own]:It is a wounded Heart,Wherein yet sticks the dart.Every piece sore hurt throughout it:Faith and Troth writ round about it.It was a tame Heart, and a dear;And never used to roam:But having got this haunt, I fear'Twill hardly stay at home.For God's sake, walking by the way,If you my Heart do see;Either impound it for a Stray,Or send it back to me!

A Canzonet.

I praythee leave! Love me no more!Call home the heart you gave me!I but in vain that Saint adoreThat can, but will not, save me.These poor half kisses kill me quite!Was ever man thus servèd?Amidst an ocean of delight.For pleasure to be starvèd.Show me no more those snowy breastsWith azure riverets branchèd!Where whilst mine Eye with plenty feeds,Yet is my thirst not staunchèd.OTantalus, thy pains ne'er tell!By me thou art prevented:'Tisnothingto be plagued in Hell;But,thus, in Heaven, tormented!Clip me no more in those dear arms;Nor thy "Life's Comfort" call me!O these are but too powerful charms;And do but more enthrall me.But see how patient I am grown,In all this coil about thee!Come, nice Thing, let thy heart alone!I cannot live without thee!

Coventry finely walled.COventry, that dost adornThe country [County] wherein I was born:Yet therein lies not thy praise;Why I should crown thy Towers with bays?'Tis not thy Wall, me to thee weds;Thy Ports; nor thy proud Pyramids;The shoulder-bone of a Boar of mighty bigness.Nor thy trophies of the Boar:But that She which I adore,(Which scarce Goodness's self can pair)First there breathing, blest thy air.Idea; in which name I hideHer, in my heart deified.For what good, Man's mind can see;Only her ideas be:She, in whom the Virtues cameIn Woman's shape, and took her name.She so far past imitationAs (but Nature our creationCould not alter) she had aimedMore than Woman to have framed.She whose truly written story,To thy poor name shall add more glory,Than if it should have been thy chanceT' have bred our Kings that conquered France.Two famous Pilgrimages: one in Norfolk, the other in Kent.Had she been born the former Age,That house had been a Pilgrimage;And reputed more DivineThan Walsingham, orBecket's Shrine.Godiva, DukeLeofric's wife, who obtained the freedom of the city of her husband, by riding through it naked.That Princess, to whom thou dost oweThy Freedom (whose clear blushing snowThe envious sun saw; when as sheNaked rode to make thee free),Was but her type: as to foretellThou shouldst bring forth One should excelHer bounty; by whom thou shouldst haveMore Honour, than she Freedom gave.QueenElizabeth.And that great Queen, which but of lateRuled this land in peace and State,Had not been; but Heaven had swornA Maid should reign when She was born.Of thy streets, which thou hold'st best,And most frequent of the rest;A noted street in Coventry.His Mistress's birthday.HappyMich Park!Every year,On the Fourth of August there,Let thy Maids, fromFlora's bowers,With their choice and daintiest flowersDeck thee up! and from their store,With brave garlands crown that door!The old man passing by that way,To his son, in time, shall say:"There was that Lady born: whichLong to after Ages shall be sung."Who, unawares being passed by,Back to that house shall cast his eye;Speaking my verses as he goes,And with a sigh shut every Close.Dear City! travelling by thee,When thy rising Spires I see,Destined her Place of Birth;Yet methinks the very earthHallowed is, so far as ICan thee possibly descry.Then thou, dwelling in this place,(Hearing some rude hind disgraceThy city, with some scurvy thingWhich some Jester forth did bring)Speak these Lines, where thou dost come,And strike the slave for ever dumb.

Coventry finely walled.

COventry, that dost adornThe country [County] wherein I was born:Yet therein lies not thy praise;Why I should crown thy Towers with bays?'Tis not thy Wall, me to thee weds;Thy Ports; nor thy proud Pyramids;The shoulder-bone of a Boar of mighty bigness.Nor thy trophies of the Boar:But that She which I adore,(Which scarce Goodness's self can pair)First there breathing, blest thy air.Idea; in which name I hideHer, in my heart deified.For what good, Man's mind can see;Only her ideas be:She, in whom the Virtues cameIn Woman's shape, and took her name.She so far past imitationAs (but Nature our creationCould not alter) she had aimedMore than Woman to have framed.She whose truly written story,To thy poor name shall add more glory,Than if it should have been thy chanceT' have bred our Kings that conquered France.Two famous Pilgrimages: one in Norfolk, the other in Kent.Had she been born the former Age,That house had been a Pilgrimage;And reputed more DivineThan Walsingham, orBecket's Shrine.Godiva, DukeLeofric's wife, who obtained the freedom of the city of her husband, by riding through it naked.That Princess, to whom thou dost oweThy Freedom (whose clear blushing snowThe envious sun saw; when as sheNaked rode to make thee free),Was but her type: as to foretellThou shouldst bring forth One should excelHer bounty; by whom thou shouldst haveMore Honour, than she Freedom gave.QueenElizabeth.And that great Queen, which but of lateRuled this land in peace and State,Had not been; but Heaven had swornA Maid should reign when She was born.Of thy streets, which thou hold'st best,And most frequent of the rest;A noted street in Coventry.His Mistress's birthday.HappyMich Park!Every year,On the Fourth of August there,Let thy Maids, fromFlora's bowers,With their choice and daintiest flowersDeck thee up! and from their store,With brave garlands crown that door!The old man passing by that way,To his son, in time, shall say:"There was that Lady born: whichLong to after Ages shall be sung."Who, unawares being passed by,Back to that house shall cast his eye;Speaking my verses as he goes,And with a sigh shut every Close.Dear City! travelling by thee,When thy rising Spires I see,Destined her Place of Birth;Yet methinks the very earthHallowed is, so far as ICan thee possibly descry.Then thou, dwelling in this place,(Hearing some rude hind disgraceThy city, with some scurvy thingWhich some Jester forth did bring)Speak these Lines, where thou dost come,And strike the slave for ever dumb.

Footnotes[19]In Warwickshire.

Footnotes

[19]In Warwickshire.

[From the holograph, nowFairfax MS.36, in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.]

[TheseMemorialsare not written in a strictly chronological sequence. They are of surpassing interest: being the recollections, about 1665, of many stirring events in England between 1642 and 1650, by a chief Actor in the same; whose personal motto was,Mon DIEU, je servirai tant que je vivrai.]

NOwwhen GOD is visiting the nation [?an allusion to the Plague of London in 1665] for the transgressions of their ways, as formerly he did to one sort of men so doth he it to another sort; so that all may see their errors and his justice: and as we have cause to implore his mercy, having sinned against him; so must we still vindicate his justice, who is always "clear when he judgeth." [Ps.li. 4.]

Now therefore, by his grace and assistance, I shall truly set down the grounds my actions moved upon during that unhappy War; and those actions which seemed to the World the more questionable in my steering through the turbulent and perilous seas of that time.

The first embarking into the sad calamities of War was about the year 1641 when the general distemper of the Three Kingdoms had kindled such a flame even in the hearts (Imean the Difference between the King and Parliament), as every one sought to guard his own house by the authority of both these. But the different judgements and ways were so contrary that, before a remedy could be found out, almost all was consumed to ashes.

I must needs say my judgement was for the Parliament, as the King's, and Kingdom's, great and safest Council; as others were for the King, and averse to Parliament, as if it could not go high enough for the Perogative.

Upon which division, different Powers were set up, viz.: The Commission of Array for the King; and [the Militia for] the Parliament. But those of the Array so exceeded their Commission by oppressing many honest people; whom, by way of reproach, they called Roundheads: they being (for Religion, Estates, and Interest) a very considerable part of the country; that occasioned them to take up arms in their own defence, which was afterwards confirmed by Parliamentary authority.

Now my father being yet at his house at Denton, where I then waited on him, though he had notice from his friends that it was resolved that he should be sent for, as a prisoner, to York: yet he resolved not to stir from his own house; not knowing anything in himself to deserve it. But the country [Yorkshire] suffering daily more and more, many were forced to come and intreat him to join with them in defence of themselves and country [Yorkshire]; which [were] being sadly oppressed by those of the Array, which afterwards had the name of Cavaliers.

And being much importuned by those that were about him; he was resolved, seeing his country [Yorkshire] in this great distress, to run the same hazard with them for the preservation of it.

Then did the Parliament grant a Commission to him, to be General of the Forces in the North: myself also having a Commission under him, to be General of the Horse. But it is not my intention, in this place, to mention the several Services that were done in this Cause of the Parliament: being rather desirous to clear my actions in it than to declare them. Therefore I shall say no more [See however pp.577-610] of this Three Years' War in the North; there beingnothing, I thank GOD! in all that time to be alleged against me.

But now I shall come to say something how I came to be engaged in the South.

There being some years spent, in those parts, in a lingering War between the forces of the King and [the] Parliament; and several battles so equally fought, as could scarce be known on which side the business in dispute would be determined; though it must be confessed the Parliament's Army was under the command of a very noble and gallant person, [Robert Devereux] the Earl ofEssex: yet finding Time and Delay gaining more advantage on their affairs than Force had done; the Parliament resolved to make a change in the constitution of their Army; hoping by it to find a change also in businesses, which were then something in a declining condition.

So as, in this distemper of affairs, the Army was New Modelled; and a new General was proposed to command it. For which, by the Votes of the Two Houses of Parliament [in February 1645], myself was nominated; though most unfit: and so far from desiring of it, that had not so great an authority commanded obedience, [I also] being then unseparated from the royal Interest; besides the persuasions of nearest friends, not to decline so free and general a Call; I should have "hid myself [among the stuff," 1Samuelx. 22.] to have avoided so great a charge. But whether it was from a natural facility in me, that betrayed my modesty; or the powerful hand of GOD, which all things must obey: I was induced to receive the Command.

Then was I immediately voted by the Parliament [in February 1645], to come to London to take up my charge [where he arrived on 18th February 1645]; though not fully recovered of a dangerous wound, which I had received a little before; and which, I verily believe, without the miraculous hand of GOD had proved mortal.

But here, alas! when I bring to mind the sad consequences that designing men have brought to pass since, from these first innocent undertakings, I am ready to let go that confidence I had, withJobto say: "Till I die, I will not removemy integrity from me; nor shall my heart reproach me so long as I live" [Jobxxvii. 5]. But now more fit to take up his Complaint with a little alteration and to say, Why did I not die when I had that hurt? Why did I not give up the ghost when my life was on the confines of the grave? [SeeJobx. 18.]

But GOD having been pleased thus to give me my life as a prey; I took my journey southward: hoping I might be someway serviceable to the Public. But when I came thither, had it not been in the simplicity of my heart, I could not have supported myself under the frowns and displeasures showed me by those who were disgusted at this alteration; in which many of them were themselves so much concerned: and these did not only outwardly express it, but sought by all means to obstruct my proceedings in this new charge. Who though they could not prevent what the necessity of affairs pressed most to do, viz.: To march speedily out with the Army; yet were we, by them, made so inconsiderable for want of fit and necessary accommodations, as it rather seemed that we were sent to be destroyed and ruined than to do any service for the Kingdom by it. Insomuch as when I went to take my leave of a Great Person [Can this have beenDenzil Holles?]; he told me, He was very sorry I was going out with the Army, for he did believe we should be beaten.

Surely then had some of our ends been Self Interest merely, this might have discouraged us: but it working no such effects, gave the more hopes of future success; as it did to the Parliament's advantage. But if any ill use hath been made of such mercies, let the mercies be acknowledged from GOD: but let the abuses receive their due reward of shame and punishment.

Thus, being led on by good success, and clear intentions of a Public Good; some of us could not discern the serpent which was hid in these spreading leaves of so Good Fortune: nor could believe the fruits of our hopes would prove as cockatrice's eggs; from whence so viperous a brood should afterwards spring up.

But, how ill deserving so ever we were: yet still it pleased GOD to give the Army such success in the years [16]45 and[16]46; that there remained in England neither Army nor fortress to oppose the Parliament in settling the peace of the Kingdom.

But this shining mercy soon became clouded with the mists of abominable hypocrisy [and] deceit; even in those men, who had been instrumental in bringing this War to a conclusion. Here was the vertical point on which the Army's honour and reputation turned into reproach and scandal. Here the power of the Army, which I once had, was usurped by the Forerunners of Confusion and Anarchy, viz.: the Agitators. [The Army appointed a Committee of Adjutators on 14th May 1647.]

My Commission as General bound me to act with [the co-operation of my] Council: but the arbitrary and unlimited power of this new Council would act without a General: and all that I could do, could not prevail against this stream; especially when the Parliament itself became divided, so that the pay was withheld from the Army, which heightened their distempers.

Then followed, Free Quarter [in November 1647]; and that brought a general discontent through the whole nation: which gave these factious Agitators matter enough for the carrying on of their designs; viz., To raise their own fortunes by the ruin of others.

But now, being much troubled to see things in this condition, I did rather desire to be a sufferer than to be a Commander: but, before I laid down my Commission, I thought it fit to consult with some friends rather than gratify my private sense and reason, which much desired it; especially having received it from a Public Authority, which might justly expect to have notice of it before I laid it down. Which was the cause of my continuing in the Army longer than I would have done (seeing I could not have my desire granted): which did indeed preserve the Parliament for some time, from those confusions and breakings, which afterwards Time and Confidence emboldened these men to.

But now I shall descend to some particulars of their Agitation:

At Nottingham was the first time that I took notice of it, by the soldiers' meetings to frame aPetitionto the Parliamentabout their arrears [of pay]. The thing seemed just: but, not liking the way, I spake with some Officers that were principally engaged in it; and got it suppressed for that time.

Which was but as the cutting off of Hydra's head, which soon sprang up again (though not so near the Head Quarters; but in more remote corners of the Army, which I could not so timely prevent) so that they presented it to the Parliament; which they were highly displeased with. And now falling into difference[s]; the consequence of which proved fatal not only to the King, but also destructive to one another. The one striving to uphold his authority: the other (who had a spirit of unsettlement) to preserve themselves from the ruin they feared. This (with a natural inclination to change) I believe created the thoughts of a New Government; which, in time, attained the name of a Common Wealth: though it never arrived to the perfection of it; being sometimes Democratical, sometimes Oligarchial, lastly Anarchial—as indeed all the ways attaining to it seemed nothing but a Confusion.

For now the Officers of the Army were placed and displaced by the will of the new Agitators; who, with violence, so carried all things, as it was above my power to restrain it. This made me have recourse to my friends to get me a discharge of my Command; so as there was a consultation with several Members of Parliament, who met about it: but none would undertake to move it to the House, as affairs then stood. And they perceiving that such a Motion would be unpleasing to them: which was the answer I received from them. And further that I should satisfy myself: for it would be the Parliament's care to compose all things in as good order as might be most for the good and settlement of the Kingdom. But these hopes, though they something supported my spirit; yet could not they balance the grief and trouble I had, that I could not get my discharge. So that, if you find me carried on with this stream; I can truly say, It was by the violence of it, and no consent of mine.

But the Army, having gotten this power and strength by correspondence with some in Parliament (who themselves did after find it [to their disadvantage] in the end) they [theArmy] march nearer London [26th June 1647]: and, at Windsor [20th November 1647], after two days' debate in a Council of War, it was resolved to remove all out of the House [of Commons] whom they conceived to "obstruct," as they called it, "the Public Settlement."

Upon which expedition in this march, I was vehemently pressed: but here I resolved to use a restrictive power, when I had not a persuasive one. So when the Lieutenant General [Oliver Cromwell] and others pressed me to sign orders for marching, I still delayed the doing of it [in November 1647]; as always dreading the consequences of breaking Parliament, and at a time when the Kingdom was falling into a new War: which was so near, that my delaying but three or four days giving out Orders, diverted this humour of the Army from being Statesmen to their more proper duty of soldiers.

For, even then, ColonelPoyerdeclared [for the King] in Wales; great forces were raised with the LordGoringin Kent; and Duke [of]Hamilton(almost at the same time) with a powerful Army of the Scots. All which set out work enough for that summer [of 1648].

This I write to shew how, by Providence, a few days' delay did prolong the Parliament more than a year from the violent breaches that afterwards happened to them.

Here again might be mentioned the great and difficult businesses the Army went through that year [1648]: hoping, as well aiming, it would be a good service to the Kingdom. But, seeing the factious Party grew more insolent as success made them more powerful, I shall forbear to relate those Actions; which would, otherwise, have deserved a better remembrance than, in modesty, [it] were fit for me to record: and [I] will rather punish myself here, with the continuance of the Story of the Army's Irregularities.

But one thing, of very great concernment in all after changes, should have been inserted before the mention of this Second War: but [it] will come in well enough in this place, without much interruption of this Discourse, viz.:

THE KING'S REMOVAL FROM HOLMBY,

the sad consequences whereof fill my heart with grief withthe remembrance of it now; as it did then, with thoughts and care how to have prevented it.

Being then at Saffron Walden in Essex, I had notice that CornetJoyce(an arch-Agitator that quartered about Oxford) had [on 4th June 1647] seized on the King's person, and removed his Quarters: and [had] given such a check to the Commissioners of Parliament which were ordered to attend His Majesty, that they refused to act any further in their Commission; being so unwarrantably interrupted.

But, as soon as I heard it, I immediately sent away two Regiments of Horse, commanded by ColonelWhalleyto remove this force; and to set all things again in their due order and course.

But before he reached Holmby [or Holdenby]; the King was advanced two or three miles [from thence] on his way towards Cambridge; attended byJoyce. Here ColonelWhalleyacquainted the King, That he was sent by the General to let him know how much he was troubled at those great insolencies that had been committed so near his person: and as he had not the least knowledge of it before it was done, so he had omitted no time in seeking to remove the force; which he had orders from me to see done. And therefore [ColonelWhalley] desired that His Majesty would be pleased to return again to Holmby, where all things should again be settled in as much order and quietness as they were before. And also he [ColonelWhalley] desired the Commissioners to resume their Charge, as the Parliament had directed them: which he had in charge also to desire them to do, from the General.

But the King refused to return; and the Commissioners refused also to act any more as Commissioners. Which ColonelWhalleystill further urged, saying, He had an express command to see all things well settled again about His Majesty; which could not be but by his returning again to Holmby.

Which the King said positively, He would not do.

So ColonelWhalleypressed him no further: having indeed a special direction from me to use all tenderness and respect, as was due, towards His Majesty.

So the King came that night, or the second [6th June1647] to SirJohn Cutt's house [at Childerley] near Cambridge: where, the next day, I waited on His Majesty. It being also my business to persuade his return to Holmby. But he was otherwise resolved.

I pressed the Commissioners also to act again, according to the power that Parliament had given them: which they also refused to do.

So having spent the whole day [7th June 1647] about this business; I returned to my Quarters.

But before I took my leave of the King, he said to me, "Sir, I have as great an Interest in the Army as you." By which I plainly saw the broken reed he leaned upon.

These Agitators [or Adjutators], chameleon-like, could change into that colour which best served their ends; and so had brought the King into an opinion that the Army was for him: though [it was] never less for his safety and rights, than when it was theirs.

And that it might appear what real trouble this act was to me; notwithstanding the Army was almost wholly infected with the humour of Agitation, I called for a Court of War, to proceed againstJoycefor this high offence, and the breach of theArticles of War. But the Officers (whether for fear of the distempered soldiers; or rather, as I fear, from a secret allowance of what was done) made all my endeavours herein ineffectual: and now (no punishment being able to reach them) all affairs steer after this compass:

The King and all his Party are in hopes. Those of the Parliament, and others who kept to their Covenant Interest, in fears. So as, for many months, Public Councils were turned into private Junto's. Which would have been less criminal, if it had ended in General Consent. But, on the contrary, it begat greater emulations and jealousies one of another. So that the Army would not entrust the King any longer with the liberty he had; nor would the Parliament suffer the King to undertake that which was properly their work to do, viz.: [the] Settling [of] the Kingdom with its just rights and liberties. And the Army were as jealous of the Parliament, that they [the Parliament] would not have care enough of their [the Army's] security.

All things growing worse and worse made the King endeavour his own escape, as he did [11th-14th November 1647]; but out of a larger confinement at Hampton Court, to a straiter one in the Isle of Wight.

Here the Parliament treated uponPropositions of Peacewith the King. But, alas, the Envious One sowed tares that could not be rooted out, without plucking up the corn also.

And here was the King, as the golden ball, tossed before the two great Parties; the Parliament, and the Army: [which] grew to a great contest, which must again have involved the kingdom in blood.

But the Army, having the greater power, got the King again into their hands; notwithstanding all the means that could be used. TheTreaty[? of Newport, ? October 1648] was scarcely ended, before the King was seized upon by the hands of the same person, Lieutenant ColonelCobbett, who took him from Holmby [;and who now removed him, on 1st December 1648, from Carisbrooke Castle to Hurst Castle]. Soon after followed his Trial.

But to prepare a way to this work [the Trial] this Agitating Council had thought first how to remove out of the Parliament all those who were likely to oppose them in that work; which they carried on with that secrecy as that I had not the least intimation of it, till it was done: as some Members of the House can witness, with whom I was met, at that very time, upon especial business, when that horrible attempt was made by ColonelPrideupon the Parliament [on 6th December 1648]. It was so secretly carried on that I should get no notice of it: because I always prevented those designs when I knew of them. But by this "Purging of the House," as they called it, the Parliament was brought into such a consumptive and languishing condition as that it could never recover again that healthful Constitution which always kept the Kingdom in its strength and vigour.

But now, this Three-fold Cord being cut by the sword, the Trial of the King was the easier for them to accomplish. My afflicted and troubled mind for it, and my earnest endeavours to prevent it, will, I hope, sufficiently testify my abhorrence of the fact. And what might they not nowdo to the lower shrubs, having thus cut down the cedar? For, after this, [the] Duke [of]Hamilton, [the] Earl ofHolland, and LordCapel, and others, were condemned to death.

But here it is fit to say something for my own vindication about my LordCapel, SirCharles Lucas, and SirGeorge Lisle; who wereprisoners at mercyupon the rendition of Colchester: seeing some have questioned the just performance of thoseArticles[of Surrender].

I (having laid siege to the town, and several assaults being made upon it) finding their forces within [to be] much more numerous than those I had without, forced me to take another course: blocking them up; and so, by cutting off all supplies, to bring them to a surrender. Which, after [a] four months' siege, they were necessitated to; and thatupon mercy: they being between 3,000 and 4,000 men.

Now byDelivering upon mercyis to be understood, that some are to suffer, and the rest to go free.

So those forementioned persons only were to suffer; and all the rest freed.

So immediately after our entrance into the town [on 26th August 1648], a Council of War being called; those persons were sentenced to die, the rest to be quit.

Yet, on they being so resolved, I thought fit to manumit the LordCapel, the LordNorwich, &c. over to the Parliament (being the Civil Judicature of the Kingdom, consisting then of Lords and Commons) as the most proper Judges of their cases: being considerable for estates and families.

But SirCharles Lucasand SirGeorge Lislebeing mere Soldiers of Fortune; and falling into our hands by the chance of war, execution was done upon them. And in this distribution of Justice I did nothing but according to my Commission, and the trust reposed in me.

But it may be objected that I went into the Court during the Trial.

To this, I answer. It was upon the earnest entreaties of my LordCapel's friends; who desired me to explain there, what I meant bySurrendering to mercy: otherwise I had not gone, being always unsatisfied with the Court.

But for this I shall need to say no more: seeing I may as well be questioned for theArticlesof Bristol, Oxford, Exeter; or [for] any other Action in the War, as for this.

And now I have related the most remarkable things that might be alleged against me during the prosecution of the War.

Yet one thing more requires that I should say something to it, before I conclude, viz.: Concerning Papers and Declarations of the Army that came out in my name and the Council of Officers. I must needs say. From the time they declared their Usurped Authority at Triplow Heath [10th June 1647], I never gave my free consent to anything they did: but (being then undischarged of my place) they set my hand [signature] by way of course, to all their Papers; whether I consented or not.

And unto such failings all Authority may fall. As sometimes Kingly Authority may be abused to their, and the Kingdom's, prejudice; sometimes, under a Parliamentary Authority, much injury hath been done: so here, hath a General's Power been broken and crumbled into a Levelling Faction, to the great unsettlement of the Nation.

Yet, even in this, I hope all impartial judges will interpret as a force and ravishment of a good name; rather than a voluntary consent whereby it might make me seem to become equally criminal. Though I must confess, if in a multitude of words, much more in a multitude of actions, there may be some transgressions: yet, I can as truly say, they were never designedly or wilfully committed by me.

But now, when all the power was got into the Army, they cut up the root of Kingly Government. After this, were Engagements to relinquish the Title. Then [was] War declared against Scotland for assisting the King [CharlesII.]: and several Leagues made with foreign Princes to confederate with their new Government, which was now a Common Wealth, against the Kingly Power.

Seeing which, with grief and sorrow, though I had as much the love of the Army as ever; though I was with much importunity solicited by the remaining Parliament, the Lieutenant General [Oliver Cromwell], and otherOfficers and soldiers, to continue my Command; and though I might, so long as I acted their designs, attain to the height of power and other advantages I pleased (for so I understood from themselves): yet (by the mercy and goodness of GOD, ever valuing Loyalty and Conscience before this perishing felicity) I did, so long as I continued in the Army, oppose all those ways in their counsels; and, when I could do no more, I also declined their actions, though not their Commission I had from the Parliament, till the remaining part of it, took it from me [25th June 1650].

Thus I have given you, in short, the sum of the most considerable things that the World may censure me for, during this unhappy War. Yet, I hope, among many weaknesses and failings there shall not be found crimes of that magnitude [for me] to be counted amongst those who have done these things through ambition and dissimulation. Hoping also that GOD will, one day, clear this Action we undertook, so far as concerns his honour; and the integrity of such as faithfully served in it. For I cannot believe that such wonderful successes shall be given in vain. Though cunning and deceitful men must take shame to themselves; yet the purposes and determination of GOD shall have happy effects to his glory, and the comfort of his people.

Back to Index Next