Notables; ah yes] to settle the Nation: 'This,' said we, is unsettlement, this is confusion!' For, give me leave, if any body now have the face to say,—and I would die upon this — [Sentence catching fire]—if any man in England have the impudence [Ah!] or face to say, That the reluctance of the Parliament to dissolve themselves was their fear of hasty throwing of the Liberties of the People of God, and of the Nation, into the hands of a bare Representative of the People,—which was then the business we opposed: if any man have the face to say this now, who did then judge it, "that last measure of theirs," and I will say more, ought then to have judged it, to be a confounding of the whole Cause we have fought for,—which it was,—I would look upon that man's face! I would be glad to see such a man![1] I do not say there is any such here: but if any such should come to me, see if I would not look upon him, and tell him he is an hypocrite! I dare say it, and I dare die for it, "he is an hypocrite";—knowing the spirit that hath been in some men to me. They come and tell me, They do not like my being Protector. Why do you not?—'Why, because you will exercise arbitrary government.'—Why, what is it you want me to do?—'Pray, turn those Gentlemen "of the Long Parliament" all in again; then we will like you exceedingly well!'—[Inarticulate interjection; snort or 'Humph! ']—I was a child in swaddling clouts![2] I cannot go beyond the Instrument of Government. I cannot
- ↑ A dangerous spectator, your Highness, with that thundery countenance of yours!—His Highness's anger is exceedingly clear; but the cause of it, in this intricate sentence, much more in the distracted coagulum of jargon which the original here offers, is by no means so clear. On intense inspection, he discovers himself to be (as above) reproaching certain parties who now affect to regret the Long Parliament, which while it existed they had been sufficiently loud in condemning. You say: 'They were afraid to fling the whole Cause into the lottery of a general Parliament:'—They? while we opposed that; and while that was the very thing they at last were recklessly doing! I should like to see the face of a man brazen enough for a story like this!
- ↑ So tied-up with restrictions in that first Instrument; had not the smallest power to do 'arbitrary government.'
