Oliver Cromwell | Page 7

an
authority subject to the laws of the people. This King denies it, and his

judges flatter the heresy. You have but one question before you--there
is in truth but one raised by this Remonstrance. Is England to be
governed by the King or by elected representatives of the people? That
is what we have now to decide, not for ourselves alone, but for our
children in the generations to come. If the King will profit by a lesson, I
with any man will be his loyal and loving subject. But at this moment a
lesson must be given. Why else have you appointed my Lord of Essex
from Parliament to take command of the armed forces of this country?
Did you not fear that the King would use these also against you? You
know you did. I say it again, this that is now to be put to you is a vote
of want of confidence in the King. I would it were so more expressly.
(He sits to an angry tumult. HAMPDEN rises, and after a time secures
order.)
Hampden: Sir, this question could not be argued to an end if we sat
here for a week. Already we have considered it more closely and longer,
I think, than any that has ever been before this House. It is morning.
Each man has spoken freely from his mind. I move that the question
now be put.
The Speaker: The question is, whether this question now be put.
(There are cries of "Yea," and "No.")
The Speaker: I think the "Yeas" have it.
(This is followed by silence in the House.)
The Speaker: Then the question now before the House is whether this
Declaration shall pass.
(Again there are cries of "Yea" and "No" strongly emphatic on both
sides.)
The Speaker: I think the "Yeas" have it.
(There are loud and repeated cries of "No.")

The Speaker: The House will divide. Tellers for the Yeas, Sir John
Clotworthy, Mr. Arthur Goodwyn. Tellers for the Noes, Sir Frederick
Cornwallis and Mr. Strangwayes. The Yeas to go forth.
(The House divides, the Yeas, including CROMWELL, HAMPDEN,
and IRETON, leaving the House, the Noes remaining seated. The
tellers for the Noes, with their staffs, count their numbers in the House,
while the tellers for the Yeas at the door count theirs as they reenter.
The pent-up excitement grows as the Yeas resume their seats and the
telling draws to a close. The tellers move up to the Speaker and give in
their figures.)
The Speaker: The Noes, 148. The Yeas, 159. The Yeas have it by
eleven.
(The announcement is received with a loud turmoil of cheering, during
which IRETON rises.)
Ireton: Sir, I move that this measure, as passed by this House, be
printed and distributed throughout the land.
(The House breaks out into a wild disturbance. "Yea" shouting against
"No," swords being drawn and members hustling each other. THE
SPEAKER and HAMPDEN at length pacify them.)
Hampden: I beg you remember what business you are on. These are
grave times, for stout wills, but temperate blood. I beg you, gentlemen.
The Speaker: The question is, whether this Declaration shall be printed
and distributed.
(Cries of "Yea" and "No.")
The Speaker: I think the "Noes" have it.
(Again there is tumult, during which the SPEAKER leaves his chair
and the House; and the session breaks up, the members leaving in
passionate discussion. CROMWELL, HAMPDEN, and IRETON stand

talking.)
Cromwell (to HAMPDEN): It is the beginning.
Hampden: It may mean terror in this land.
Cromwell: It may. But the country must be delivered. I had thought to
live in peace among my Ely acres. I sought none of this. But we must
serve. If this Remonstrance had been rejected, I would have sold all I
have and have never seen England more. And I know there are many
other honest men of this same resolution.
Ireton: The issue is set. We may have to spend all that we have.
Cromwell: Our goods, our peace, our lives.
Hampden: We must be diligent among the people.
Cromwell: It is the Lord's will.
Ireton: I can speak for many in Nottinghamshire.
Cromwell: They will be needed.
Hampden: I can spend one thousand pounds on arms.
Cromwell: Arms. Yes. If it must be. But God may spare us.
(There is a sound of argument outside, and BRIDGET CROMWELL,
persuading an officer of the House to let her enter, comes in with
AMOS TANNER. They are both from a long journey.)
Bridget (greeting her father and the others): I went to your lodging and
learnt that you were still here.
Cromwell: But what is it, daughter?
Bridget: Amos here--we had to come.

Cromwell: Well?
Amos: My boy--there, I can't tell.
Bridget: Seth--you know he came to London last year.
Cromwell: Yes.