Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 06.djvu/226



is in Lincolnshire, a march farther south. Lieutenant-General Cromwell with the Eastern-Association Horse, if the ‘Foot’ were once settled,—might not he dash down to help the Lieutenant-General Essex and his ‘Army in the West’? Of whom, and of whose sad predicament amid the hills of Cornwall there, we shall see the issue anon. Brother Walton, a Parliament-man, has written, we perceive, to Cromwell, suggesting such a thing; urging haste if possible. In Cromwell is no delay: but the Eastern-Association Army, horse or foot, is heavy to move,—beset, too, with the old internal discrepancies, Crawfordisms, scandals at Sectaries, and what not.

Sleaford, 6th or 5th September “1644.”

''Sir,—We do with grief of heart resent the sad condition of our Army in the West, and of affairs there. That business has our hearts with it; and truly had we wings, we would fly thither! So soon as ever my Lord and the Foot set me loose, there shall be in me no want to hasten what I can to that service.''

For indeed all other considerations are to be laid aside and to give place to it,'' as being of far more importance. I hope the Kingdom shall see that, in the midst of our necessities, we shall serve them without disputes. We hope to forget our wants, which are exceeding great, and ill cared for; and desire to refer the many slanders heaped upon us by false tongues to God,—who will, in due time, make it appear to the world that we study the glory of God, and the honour and liberty of the Parliament. For which we unanimously fight; without seeking our own interests.''

Indeed, we never find our men so cheerful as when there is