Eikon Basilike: The Pourtracture of His Sacred Majestie, in His Solitudes and SufferingsCharles I, King of England
Religion
Eikon Basilike: The Pourtracture of His Sacred Majestie, in His Solitudes and Sufferings
Charles I, King of England
Charles I, King of England, 1600-1649 -- Early works to 1800; Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649
The King said to the Duke of _Glocester_, that he would say nothing to
him but what was for the good of his soul: he told him, that he heard
that the Army intended to make him King; but it was a thing not for
him to take upon him, if he regarded the welfare of his soul; for
he had two Brothers before him: and therefore commanded him upon His
blessing, never to accept of it, unless it redowned lawfully upon him:
And commanded him to fear the Lord, and he would provide for him.
_Copia vera._
* * * * *
_An_ Epitaph _upon King_ CHARLS.
So falls that stately Cedar: while it stood
That was the onely glory of the Wood:
Great _Charles_, thou earthly God, celestial _M_an,
Whose life, like others, though it were a span:
Yet in that span, was comprehended more
Then Earth hath waters or the Ocean shore;
Thy heavenly vertues, Angels shou'd rehearse,
It is a theam too high for humane Verse:
He that would know thee right, then let him look
Upon Thy rare incomparable Book,
And read it or'e and o're; which if he do,
Hee'l find thee _king_, _and Priest_, _and Prophet too_:
And sadly see our losse, and though in vain,
With fruitlesse wishes, call thee back again.
Nor shall oblivion sit upon thy Herse,
Though there were neither Monument, nor Verse.
Thy Suff'rings & thy Death let no man name;
It was thy Glorie, but the Kingdoms Shame.
_J. H._
* * * * *
[Illustration]
_His Majesties Reasons against the pretended Jurisdiction of
the High Court of Justice, which he intended to deliver in
writing on Munday_ January 22, 1648.
Faithfully transcribed out of the originall Copie under the Kings own
hand.
Having already made my protestations not only against the illegality
of this pretended Court, but also that no earthly power can justly
call me (who am your King) in question as a Delinquent, _I_ would not
any more open my mouth upon this occasion, more then to refer my selfe
to what I have spoken, were I alone in this case concerned. But
the duty I owe to God in the preservation of the true Liberty of my
People, will not suffer me at this time to be silent: For, how can any
free-born Subject of England call life or any thing he possesseth
his own, if power without right daily make new, and abrogate the old
fundamentall Law of the Land, which I now take to be the present
case. Wherefore when I came hither, I expected that you would have
indeavoured to have satisfied me concerning these grounds, which
hinder me to Answer to your pretended Impeachment, but since I see
that nothing I can say will move you to it (though Negatives are not
so naturally proved as Affirmatives) yet I will shew you the Reason
why I am confident you cannot judge me, nor indeed the meanest man in
England; for I will not (like you) without shewing a reason, seek to
impose a belief upon My Subjects.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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