A day with Cromwell: a drama of history, in five acts, by Auctor.

  • Benjamin Ward Richardson
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A day with Cromwell: a drama of history, in five acts, by Auctor. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    [Enter Fleetwood, Besboroagh, Greatorex, and large body of Officers of Republican Army their seats on each side, Greatorex presents a petition to Cromwell.] Greatorex.— they march to the table, afterwards talcing Highness! I am commissioned by these worthy men, Who by your side have fought for liberty; Who with your aid have cut down kingly pride : At this decisive moment, to submit Their thought and jwill to you. To Parliament They have already jnade their wishes known. Serjeant-at-Arms.—Silence-for my Lord Broghill. Lord Broghill.—May it please your Highness, The Commons’ House have heard to-day with joy, That to your Highness’ mind this settlement Doth in its many pafts sound wise and good. Would they could hear that it in every part Did have your equal sgrace. riro me belongs The charge to urge the part which seems to you Of lesser moment; but which seems to us The one essential one connecting link To bind the whole. Your Highness ! I do feel I speak with terror, lest the task I brave Do fail through me : so well am I assured It can but fail from lack of skill in me. I pray you therefore, in your clemency Hear me, believing, all that I shall say Doth not present one half that could be said. We humbly think the word, the title, King Is that the law doth notice as the name Of the chief magistrate, and that none other Hath ever been accepted. On this we urge That old foundations that are good, are better Than new foundations, which, though quite as good, Have not been tried by iis. Those acts and rules Which time and ripe experience confirm Carry with them the surest proof of worth. The stamp and the authority they bear Gives them solidity and iajesty. We urge that it is better for the man Who rules, as the first magistrate, to fit The laws that now exist and are in force, Phan that the laws be made to fit to him. e 2