Page:The Leveller movement; a study in the history and political theory of the English Great Civil War (IA levellermovement01peas).djvu/108

 resolved by the might and strength of my God, for the honour of my King and Country, and the good of future generations, to fight it out so long as I have a legge to stand on, and to waige professed warre so long as I have drop of blood in my bellie: with the domestick and home bred enemies of the King and State for I have a Souldiers heart within my innocent breast.”

November 3, 1640, the day of the meeting of the Long Parliament, marked a turn in Lilburne’s fortunes. On that day he presented a petition to Parliament, and was at once granted his liberty to “follow his petition,” as the phrase was. May 4, 1641, the Commons voted that his censure and imprisonment were illegal, and that reparation in the form of damages was due him; but the Lords delayed concurrent action until December 1, 1645. Meanwhile Lilburne supported the parliamentary party in London. He probably advanced his pecuniary fortunes a little, and at some time before 1642 he married Elizabeth Duell. She identified herself with her husband’s political ideals, and worked loyally beside him to realize them.

At the outbreak of war, Lilburne entered the Parliament’s army in the spirit of many other ear-