The Lion's Whelp: A Story of Cromwell's Time — John Shaqi
The Lion's Whelp: A Story of Cromwell's TimeBarr, Amelia E.
History
The Lion's Whelp: A Story of Cromwell's Time
Barr, Amelia E.
Great Britain -- History -- Stuarts, 1603-1714 -- Fiction
"He went northward to Perth. For a little while he held with Argyle and
the Kirk, but the Covenanters drove him too hard. They told him he must
purify his Court from all ungodly followers, and so made him dismiss
twenty-two English Cavaliers not godly—that is, not Calvinistic—enough.
Then Charles, not willing to endure their pious tyranny, ran away to the
Highlands behind Perth, and though he was caught and persuaded to
return, he did so only on condition that his friends should be with him
and fight for him."
"Why should the Scots object to that?" asked Mrs. Swaffham.
"Because," answered Neville, "these men were mostly Englishmen and
Episcopalians; and the Whigs and Covenanters hated them as being too
often reckless and wicked men, full of cavalier sauciness. In return,
Charles Stuart hated the Whigs and Covenanters, made a mockery of them,
and, it is said, did not disguise his amusement and satisfaction at the
defeat of the godly army at Dunbar."
"And how did these godly men regard Cromwell?" asked Matilda with
undisguised scorn.
"They troubled us a little in the West," said Neville, "and Cromwell
marched the army to Glasgow, and on the next Sabbath day the preachers
railed at him from every pulpit in that city. One of them met the Lord
General on the street, and attacked him with threats and evil
prophecies. I would have shut his lips with a blow, but Cromwell said
to me, ’Let him alone; he is one fool, and you are another;’ and the
very next day he made friends with this preacher, and I met them coming
down the High Street together in very sober and pleasant discourse.
After beating these Whigs well at Hamilton, we went into winter quarters
at Edinburgh; and Cromwell is now staying at Lord Moray’s house in the
Canongate."[1]
[1] This house is still standing.
"He ought to have taken his rest in Holyrood Palace," said Jane.
"I am glad he did not," replied Neville. "’Tis enough to fight the
living Stuart; why should he run into mortal danger by invading the home
of that unlucky family? A man sleeps in his dwelling-place,—and when he
sleeps he is at the mercy of the dead."
"Not so," said Jane. "The good man is at the mercy of God, and if he
sleeps, his angel wakes and watches. ’I will lay me down in peace and
take my rest: for it is Thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in
safety.’"
Neville looked steadily at her as she spoke with such a glad confidence;
and Jane’s face grew rosy under his gaze, while Neville’s smile widened
slowly, until his whole countenance shone with pleasure.
They spoke next of the Parliament and the Council; and Mrs. Swaffham
said, "For all she could find out, they had been at their usual
work,—good and bad."
"And generally bad," ejaculated Matilda.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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