to such amendments of the Petition and Advice as he had indicated.  On April 30 sufficient intimation of such amendments was ready, and the former Committee of Ninety-nine were required to let his Highness know the same and ask him to appoint a time for his positive answer.  For another week, notwithstanding two appointments for the purpose, all was still in suspense.  During that week we are to suppose Cromwell either in perplexed solitary meditation, or shut up in those confidential meetings with a few of the most zealous promoters of the Kingship which Whitlocke describes.  “The Protector,” says Whitlocke, “often advised about this and other great businesses with the Lord Broghill, Pierrepoint, myself, Sir Charles Wolseley and Thurloe, and would be shut up three or four hours together in private discourse, and none were admitted to come in to him.  He would sometimes be very cheerful with us, and, laying aside his greatness, he would be exceeding familiar with us, and by way of diversion would make verses with us, and every one must try his fancy.  He commonly called for tobacco, pipes, and a candle, and would now and then take tobacco himself:  then he would fall again to his serious and great business.”  At length, on Friday, May 8, the Parliament, assembled once more in the Banqueting House, did receive their positive answer.  It was in a brief speech (Speech XIV.) ending “I cannot undertake this Government with the title of King; and that is mine Answer to this great and weighty business."[1]

[Footnote 1:  Carlyle, III. 280-301 (with Speeches X.—­XIV.); Commons Journals of dates; Whitlocke, IV. 289-290.]

The story in Ludlow is that to the last moment Cromwell had meant to accept, and that his sudden and unexpected refusal was occasioned by a bold stroke of the Army-men.  Having invited himself to dine at Desborough’s, says Ludlow, he had taken Fleetwood with him, and had begun “to droll with them about monarchy,” and ask them why sensible men like them should make so much of the affair, and refuse to please the children by permitting them to have “their rattle.”  Fleetwood and Desborough still remaining grave, he had called them “a couple of scrupulous fellows,” and left them.  Next day (May 6) he had sent a message to the House to meet him in the Painted Chamber next morning; and, casually encountering Desborough again, he had told Desborough what he intended.  That same day Desborough had told Pride, whereupon that resolute colonel had surprised Desborongh by saying he would prevent it still.  Going to Dr. Owen on the instant, Pride had made him draft an Officers’ Petition to the House.  It was to the effect that the petitioners, having “hazarded their lives against monarchy,” and being “still ready to do so,” observed with pain the “great endeavours to bring the nation again under their old servitude,” and begged the House not to allow a title to be pressed upon their General which would be destructive to himself and the Commonwealth.