Great Britain -- History -- Charles I, 1625-1649 -- Fiction
Still another sunrise, and the people of Bristol were treated to a
spectacle different from any that had preceded, or they had ever
witnessed. They saw the late defenders of their city, now disarmed and
half-disbanded, marching away from it, out through its gates, and
between files of their foes, these last lining the causeway for some
distance outside.
In such cases, among the soldiers of civilised countries, it is a rule,
almost universal, that no demonstration be made by the conquerors to
insult or further humble the conquered. More often may be heard
expressions of sympathy even deeds of kindness done. But all was
different at this the first surrender of Bristol. As the defeated
soldiers marched out, many with yes downcast and mien dejected, no word
nor look of pity was bestowed on them. Instead, they were assayed with
taunts and derisive cries, some even getting kick or cuff as they ran
the gauntlet between the lines of their truculent enemies. And these
were "the gallants of England," ready to "strike home for their King,"
as one of their songs puts it; but as ready to be spit upon by King, or
Prince, if it so pleased him. Gallants indeed! As much desecration of
the term applied to the Cavalier of Charles's time as to the music-hall
cad of our Victorian era.
The chief exodus of the departing Parliamentarians was by the gate, and
along the road leading to Gloucester. There was nothing in the articles
of capitulation to hinder them again taking up arms. For reasons
already stated they were not prisoners, not bound by _parole d'honneur_,
but free to turn round and face the foe now exulting over them whenever
opportunity should offer. As a consequence, most took the route for
Gloucester, where the stanch Massey still held his ground, and would be
glad to avail himself of their services.
But not all making away were soldiers. In the stream of moving humanity
were citizens, men and women, even whole families who had forsaken their
homes, dreading ill-treatment at the hands of the Royalist soldiery;
fleeing from Bristol as Lot from the doomed cities of the plain. Among
these fugitives many a spectacle of wretchedness was presented, at which
the unfeeling brutes who were witnesses but laughed.
Outside, and not far from the gate through which the motley procession
was passing, Rupert sat in his saddle, the central figure of a group of
splendidly uniformed officers. They were his personal staff, with the
_elite_ of his army, gathered there to gloat over the humiliation of
adversaries who had oft humiliated them. _Gentlemen_ as they deemed
themselves, some could not resist gratifying their vengeful spleen, but
gave exhibition of it, in speech coarse and ribald as any coming from
the lips of their rank-and-file followers. In all of which they were
encouraged by the approving laughter of their Prince and his high-toned
_entourage_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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