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Commons gave up the command of their forces into the hands of men who
were not of themselves。 Hence； doubtless； derived no small honour to
that noble assembly； which sacrificed to the hope of public good the
assurance of private advantage。 And； as to the conduct of the war； the
scheme prospered。 Witness the battle of Naseby； and the memorable
exploits of Fairfax in the west。 But thereby the Parliament lost that hold
on the soldiers and that power to control them； which they retained while
every regiment was commanded by their own members。 Politicians there
be； who would wholly divide the legislative from the executive power。
In the golden age this may have succeeded； in the millennium it may
succeed again。 But； where great armies and great taxes are required；
there the executive government must always hold a great authority； which
authority； that it may not oppress and destroy the legislature； must be in
some manner blended with it。 The leaders of foreign mercenaries have
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always been most dangerous to a country。 The officers of native armies；
deprived of the civil privileges of other men； are as much to be feared。
This was the great error of that Parliament： and； though an error it were；
it was an error generous； virtuous； and more to be deplored than censured。
〃Hence came the power of the army and its leaders； and especially of
that most famous leader； whom both in our conversation to…day； and in
that discourse whereon I before touched； you have； in my poor opinion； far
too roughly handled。 Wherefore you speak contemptibly of his parts I
know not； but I suspect that you are not free from the error common to
studious and speculative men。 Because Oliver was an ungraceful orator；
and never said； either in public or private； anything memorable； you will
have it that he was of a mean capacity。 Sure this is unjust。 Many men
have there been ignorant of letters； without wit； without eloquence； who
yet had the wisdom to devise； and the courage to perform； that which they
lacked language to explain。 Such men often； in troubled times； have
worked out the deliverance of nations and their own greatness； not by
logic； not by rhetoric； but by wariness in success； by calmness in danger；
by fierce and stubborn resolution in all adversity。 The hearts of men are
their books； events are their tutors； great actions are their eloquence： and
such an one； in my judgment； was his late Highness； who； if none were to
treat his name scornfully now shook not at the sound of it while he lived；
would； by very few； be mentioned otherwise than with reverence。 His
own deeds shall avouch him for a great statesman； a great soldier； a true
lover of his country； a merciful and generous conqueror。
〃For his faults； let us reflect that they who seem to lead are oftentimes
most constrained to follow。 They who will mix with men； and especially
they who will govern them； must in many things obey them。 They who
will yield to no such conditions may be hermits； but cannot be generals
and statesmen。 If a man will walk straight forward without turning to the
right or the left； he must walk in a desert； and not in Cheapside。 Thus
was he enforced to do many things which jumped not with his inclination
nor made for his honour； because the army； on which alone he could
depend for power and life； might not otherwise be contented。 And I； for
mine own part； marvel less that he sometimes was fain to indulge their
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violence than that he could so often restrain it。
〃In that he dissolved the Parliament； I praise him。 It then was so
diminished in numbers； as well by the death as by the exclusion of
members； that it was no longer the same assembly； and； if at that time it
had made itself perpetual； we should have been governed； not by an
English House of Commons； but by a Venetian Council。
〃If in his following rule he overstepped the laws； I pity rather than
condemn him。 He may be compared to that Maeandrius of Samos； of
whom Herodotus saith； in his Thalia； that； wishing to be of all men the
most just； he was not able； for after the death of Polycrates he offered
freedom to the people； and not till certain of them threatened to call him to
a reckoning for what he had formerly done； did he change his purpose； and
make himself a tyrant； lest he should be treated as a criminal。
〃Such was the case of Oliver。 He gave to his country a form of
government so free and admirable that； in near six thousand years； human
wisdom hath never devised any more excellent contrivance for human
happiness。 To himself he reserved so little power that it would scarcely
have sufficed for his safety； and it is a marvel that it could suffice for his
ambition。 When； after that； he found that the members of his Parliament
disputed his right even to that small authority which he had kept； when he
might have kept all； then indeed I own that he began to govern by the
sword those who would not suffer him to govern by the law。
〃But； for the rest； what sovereign was ever more princely in pardoning
injuries； in conquering enemies； in extending the dominions and the
renown of his people？ What sea； what shore did he not mark with
imperishable memorials of his friendship or his vengeance？ The gold of
Spain； the steel of Sweden； the ten thousand sails of Holland； availed
nothing against him。 While every foreign state trembled at our arms； we
sat secure from all assault。 War； which often so strangely troubles both
husbandry and commerce； never silenced the song of our reapers； or the
sound of our looms。 Justice was equally administered； God was freely
worshipped。
〃Now look at that which we have taken in exchange。 With the
restored king have come over to us vices of every sort； and most the basest
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and most shameful；lust without loveservitude without loyaltyfoulness
of speechdishonesty of dealing grinning contempt of all things good
and generous。 The throne is surrounded by men whom the former
Charles would have spurned from his footstool。 The altar is served by
slaves whose knees are supple to every being but God。 Rhymers； whose
books the hangman should burn； pandars； actors； and buffoons； these drink
a health and throw a main with the King； these have stars on their breasts
and gold sticks in their hands； these shut out from his presence the best
and bravest of those who bled for his house。 Even so doth God visit
those who know not how to value freedom。 He gives them over to the
tyranny which they have desired； Ina pantes epaurontai basileos。〃
〃I will not；〃 said Mr Cowley； 〃dispute with you on this argument。 But；
if it be as you say； how can you maintain that England hath been so greatly
advantaged by the rebellion？〃
〃Understand me rightly； Sir；〃 said Mr Milton。 〃This nation is not
given over to slavery and vice。 We tasted indeed the fruits of liberty
before they had well ripened。 Their flavour was harsh and bitter； and we
turned from them with loathing to the sweeter poisons of servitude。 This
is but for a time。 England is sleeping on the lap of Dalilah； traitorously
chained； but not yet shorn of strength。 Let the cry be once heardthe
Philistines be upon thee； and at once that sleep will be broken； and those
chains