(The murmurs grow to conflicting cries.)

I beseech you let us not commit ourselves thus.  Nor do not think I am weak in zeal.  There are evil counsellors with the King, and they would destroy us.  Our liberties must be looked to.  But there should be moderation in this act.  We should choose some other way.  We must defend ourselves, but we must not challenge the King’s authority so.

(He sits down to a confusion of voices, and HAMPDEN rises.)

Hampden: My friend, I think, is deceived.  This Remonstrance is not against the King.  It is from the people of this country against a policy.  We desire no judgment—­all we ask is redress.  If we assert ourselves as in this instrument, we but put the King in the way of just government.  I think the King hardly knows the measure of his wrongs against us, and I say it who have suffered.

(A murmur of assent.)

To speak clearly as is here done will, I think, be to mend his mind towards us.  This Remonstrance has been drawn with all care.  Not only is its intent free of blame towards the King’s majesty and person, but it can, I hope, be read by no fair-minded man in the way that my friend fears.  If I thought that, I should consider more closely my support of it.  But I have considered with all patience, and it seems to me good.

(He sits, and again there is a rattle of argument.  CROMWELL rises.)

Cromwell: Sir, this is a day when every man must speak the truth that is in him, or be silent in shame, and for ever.  Mr. Hampden is my kinsman, as you know, one who has my best affection.  His word has ever been a strength among us, and no man here but knows his valiance in the cause.  His has been a long suffering, and his integrity but ripens.  But I do not read this occasion as he does, nor, let me say, do I fear it as does our friend who spoke before.  That gentleman pleads that this Remonstrance is a vote of want of confidence in the King, such as none of us would willingly pass.  Mr. Hampden replies that it is no such vote.  I say to you that it is such a vote, and that I would pass it with all my heart.  Sir, this country, the spirit of man in this country, has suffered grievances too great to be borne.  By whom are they laid upon us?  I say it is by the King.  Is a man’s estate secure to himself?  Does not the King pass upon it levies for his own designs?  You know that it is so.  Is there not ship money?  Mr. Hampden can tell you.  Is not that the King’s affair?  Is there not a Star Chamber?  Ask Mr. Prynne and those others.  These men disliked the King’s church—­a very dangerous church as it seems to me—­and were bold to say so.  And for that each was fined five thousand pounds, and had his ears cut off, and is now in prison for life.  And does not the Star Chamber belong to the King?  Who among you can deny it?  And this land is bruised, I tell you, by such infamies.  There is no sureness in a man for his purse or his body, or his conscience.