Page:Archaeologia volume 38 part 1.djvu/284

 -.Ml Verulam 3IS.; Relation of Proceedings in Parliament question which wee coramaund you ; if you will not put it, we must sitt still, and thus wee shall never be able to doe anie thing ; they which niaie come after you maie saie they have the Kinges commandment not to doe it. We sitt here, by commaundement of the Kinge, under the great Seale ; and for you, you are by his Maiestie (sitting in his Royall chaire before both Howses), appointed our Speaker, and nowe you refuse to be our Speaker.' The Speaker made an humble suppli- catory speach unto the Howse with extremitie of weeping, shewing what commaund he had received from his Maiesty, and withall desiring them not to command his ruine ; yet, notwithstanding the Speaker's extremetie of weeping and supplicatory oration," Sir Peter Hayman (a gentleman of his own country) bitterly enveighed against him, and tould him, he was sorrie he was a Kentish man, and that he was a disgrace to his country, and a blott to a noble familie ; and that all the incon- veniences that should follow, and their distraccion should be derived to posteritie as the vssue of his basenes, with whorne he should be remeinbred with scorne and disduine. And that he, for his part, (since he would not be perswaded to doe his dtitie,) thought it fitting he should be called to the Barr, and a newe Speaker chosen in the mean time, since neither advise nor threatninges would prevaile. Mr. Strowd spake much to the same effect, and tould the Speaker that he was the instrument to cutt of the libertie of the subiect by the roote, and that if he would not be perswaded to put the same to question, they must all retorne as scattered sheepe, and n scorne put upon them as it was last session. "The King, hearing that the Howse continued to sitt (notwithstanding his command for the adjornement thereof), sent a messingcr for the Seriant with his muse, which being taken from the table there cann be noe further proceeding; Imt the key of the (lore was taken from the Seriant and delivered to c Sir Miles

Hubert to keepe, who, after he had receaved the same, put the Seriant out of the Howse, leaving his mase behind him, and then locked the dore. After this, the King sent Mr. Maxwell (the usher of the black rodd) for the dissolution of the Parliament ; but being informed that neither he nor his message Mould be receaved by the Howse, the King grewe into much rage and passion, and sent for the Captaine of the Pentioners and Guard to force the dore ; but the rising of the Howse prevented the danger and ill consequence that might have followed." " Orations quaintly eloquent." Had. MS. 6,800, fol. C6 b. b This speech of Stroud does not occur in the other MSS. which I have seen. c ' Delivered to a gent, of the house to keepe, and the Serjeant himself being a very old man (att hi* request) wag suffered to goe only, and stood without the dore, but left his man behind him." Hargrove MS. 29'J, fo. 189 b.