Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 06.djvu/312

278 Eleven Members; Holles, Waller, Stapleton, Massey are known to us; the whole List, for benefit of historical readers, we subjoin in a Note. They demurred; withdrew; again returned; in fine, had to ‘ask leave to retire for six months,’ on account of their health, we suppose. They retired swiftly in the end; to France; to deep concealment,—to the Tower otherwise.

The history of these six weeks, till they did retire and the Army had its way, we must request the reader to imagine for himself. Long able Papers, drawn by men of subtle brain and strong sincere heart: the Army retiring always to a safe distance when their Demands are agreed to; straightway advancing if otherwise,—which rapidly produces an agreement. A most remarkable Negotiation; conducted with a method, a gravity and decorous regularity beyond example in such cases. The ‘shops’ of London were more than once ‘shut’; tremor occupying all hearts:—but no harm was done. The Parliament regularly paid the Army; the Army lay coiled round London and the Parliament, now advancing, now receding; saying in the most respectful emblematic way, ‘Settlement with us and the Godly People, or!’—The King, still with the Army, and treated like a King, endeavoured to play his game, ‘in meetings at Woburn’ and elsewhere; but the two Parties could not be brought to extirpate one another for his benefit.

Towards the end of July, matters seemed as good as settled: the Holles ‘ Declaration,’ that ‘blot of ignominy,’ being now expunged from the Journals; the Eleven being out; and now at last, the New Militia Ordinance for London (Presbyterian