The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 07 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 459 pages of information about The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 07.

The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 07 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 459 pages of information about The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 07.
Some occasion was given for these reproaches by the summary and arbitrary commitment of many individuals, who had addressed the king in terms expressing their abhorrence of the vehement petitions presented by the other party for the sitting of parliament, and were thence distinguished by the name of Abhorrers.  This course was ended by the sturdy resistance of one Stowell, who had, as foreman of the grand jury at Exeter, presented an abhorring address to the king.  A serjeant at arms having been sent to apprehend him, he refused to submit, and bid the officer take his course, adding, he knew no law which made him accountable for what he did as a grand juryman.  The House were so much embarrassed by his obstinacy, that they hushed up the matter by voting that he was indisposed, and adjourning the debate sine dic.

19.  This famous interview betwixt Grillon and the king deserved to
   have been brought on the stage, in a nobler strain, and free from
   the buffoonery, by which the veteran’s character is degraded.  It is
   thus told by Davila:  "Trattandosi delle persone, che avessero da
   eseguire il fatto, il Re elesse di fidarsene nel Maestro di campo
   della sua guardia Griglione, uomo feroce e ardito e per molte
   cagioni nemico del Duca di Guisa.  Fattolo percio venire, gli espose
   con accomodate parole il suo pensiero, e gli significo aver
   disegnato, che egli fosse quello, che eseguisse l’ impresa, nella
   quale consisteva tutta la sua salute.  Griglione rispose con brevi e
   significanti parole:  Sire, Io sono ben servitore a Vostra Maesta di
   somma fedelta e divozione, ma faccio professione di soldato, e di
   cavuliero; s’ ella vuoles ch’ io vada a sfidare il Duca di Guisa, e
   che mi ammazzi a corpo a corpo con lui, son pronto a farlo in
   questo istesso punto; ma ch’ io serva di manigoldo, mentre la
   giustizia sua determina di farlo morire, questo non si conviene a
   par mio, ne sono per farlo giammai.  Il Re non si stupi molto della
   liberta di Griglione, noto a lui e a tutta la corte per uomo
   schietto, e che libramente diceva i suoi sensi senza timore alcuno,
   e pero replico; che gli bastava, che tenesse segreta questo
   pensiero, perche non l’ aveva communicato ad alcun altro, e
   divulgandosi egli sarebbe stato colpevole d’ averlo palesato.  A
   questo rispose Griglione:  Essere servitore di fede, d’ onore, ne
   dover mai ridire i segreti interessi del padrone, e partito lascio
   il Re grandemente dubbioso di quello dovesse operare."
Lib. ix.

20.  A similar assemblage of terrific circumstances announces the
   arrival of a fiend upon a similar errand, in the old play,
   entitled, the “Merry Devil of Edmonton.”

What means the trolling of this fatal chime? 
O what a trembling horror strikes my heart! 
My stiffened hair stands upright on my head,
As do the bristles of a porcupine.
* * * * *
Coreb, is’t thou? 
I know thee well; I hear the watchful dogs,
With hollow howling, tell of thy approach. 
The lights burn dim, affrighted with thy presence,
And this distempered and tempestuous night
Tells me the air is troubled with some devil!

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The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 07 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.