History of King Charles the Second of EnglandAbbott, Jacob
History
History of King Charles the Second of England
Abbott, Jacob
Charles II, King of England, 1630-1685
"He told me that he was glad I was come, for, though he had not time
to say much, yet somewhat he wished to say to me, which he could not
to another, and he had feared 'the cruelty' was too great to permit
his writing. 'But, darling,' he added, 'thou wilt forget what I tell
thee.' Then, shedding an abundance of tears, I told him that I would
write down all he said to me. 'He wished me,' he said, 'not to grieve
and torment myself for him, for it was a glorious death he should die,
it being for the laws and religion of the land.' He told me what books
to read against popery. He said 'that he had forgiven all his enemies,
and he hoped God would forgive them also;' and he commanded us, and
all the rest of my brothers and sisters, to forgive them too. Above
all, he bade me tell my mother 'that his thoughts had never strayed
from her, and that his love for her would be the same to the last;'
withal, he commanded me (and my brother) to love her and be obedient
to her. He desired me 'not to grieve for him, for he should die a
martyr, and that he doubted not but God would restore the throne to
his son, and that then we should be all happier than we could possibly
have been if he had lived.'
"Then taking my brother Gloucester on his knee, he said, 'Dear boy, now
will they cut off thy father's head.' Upon which the child looked very
steadfastly upon him. 'Heed, my child, what I say; they will cut off
my head, and perhaps make thee a king; but, mark what I say! You must
not be a king as long as your brothers Charles and James live;
therefore, I charge you, do not be made a king by them.' At which the
child, sighing deeply, replied, 'I will be torn in pieces first.' And
these words, coining so unexpectedly from so young a child, rejoiced
my father exceedingly. And his majesty spoke to him of the welfare of
his soul, and to keep his religion, commanding him to fear God, and
he would provide for him; all which the young child earnestly promised
to do."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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