placable, clamoring for his death? I cannot forget it would I could! He was a good servant; somewhat imperious, perhaps-displeasing to the Court, and indeed, in part, to myself. Importunate, too, he was, as if he labored for reward. Still, a good servant, and I would he were alive; he might have saved me now-that is, if there were danger. A king's is a sad life, Herbert; but his help, as all men's, is above. See, the day dawns at last! I will go to prayer awhile, and then, if it may be, to sleep.

IX

Cromwell

December 5, 1648

[December 6 was the day on which Colonel Pride "purged" the Parliament of the members who were still for treating with the king, in order to secure a majority in favor of his trial. Cromwell arrived in London on the evening of the 6th. The king was executed in the following January.]

IX

CROMWELL. Is this a king? Then from such kings

deliver us!

Who, on this sea of troubles, like a gull,

Skims the mere froth, or, diving, dives to prey,
While others ply perforce the royal task,
Digging the fundaments whereon the state,
Rock-reared, may soar an island. This a king!
Whose subtle brain, whose gravity and patience
Cloak but a gambler's heart! Yet time was given;
We reasoned, urged, besought, betrayed almost
The cause we stood for, lest, for one man's sin,
We be constrained to pluck that star from heaven
Our fathers durst not lift their eyes to. Oh,
If the bright diadem on England's brow,
Whose triple jewel held the world's eyes at gaze,
In the third place where blazed the royal stone
Must show an empty socket; if this tower
From Time's slow spoils with strain so huge upreared

As promised an immortal consummation,

Must in a moment crash, then be the blame
His where it's due, the king's, and we exempt!