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〃For civil war； that it is an evil I dispute not。 But that it is the greatest
of evils； that I stoutly deny。 It doth indeed appear to the misjudging to be
a worse calamity than bad government； because its miseries are collected
together within a short space and time； and may easily at one view be
taken in and perceived。 But the misfortunes of nations ruled by tyrants；
being distributed over many centuries and many places； as they are of
greater weight and number； so are they of less display。 When the Devil of
tyranny hath gone into the body politic he departs not but with struggles；
and foaming； and great convulsions。 Shall he； therefore； vex it for ever；
lest； in going out； he for a moment tear and rend it？ Truly this argument
touching the evils of war would better become my friend Elwood； or some
other of the people called Quakers； than a courtier and a cavalier。 It
applies no more to this war than to all others； as well foreign as domestic；
and； in this war； no more to the Houses than to the king； nay； not so much；
since he by a little sincerity and moderation might have rendered that
needless which their duty to God and man then enforced them to do。〃
〃Pardon me； Mr Milton；〃 said Mr Cowley； 〃I grieve to hear you speak
thus of that good king。 Most unhappy indeed he was； in that he reigned
at a time when the spirit of the then living generation was for freedom； and
the precedents of former ages for prerogative。 His case was like to that
of Christopher Columbus； when he sailed forth on an unknown ocean； and
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found that the compass； whereby he shaped his course； had shifted from
the north pole whereto before it had constantly pointed。 So it was with
Charles。 His compass varied； and therefore he could not tack aright。 If
he had been an absolute king he would doubtless； like Titus Vespasian；
have been called the delight of the human race。 If he had been a Doge of
Venice； or a Stadtholder of Holland； he would never have outstepped the
laws。 But he lived when our government had neither clear definitions
nor strong sanctions。 Let； therefore； his faults be ascribed to the time。 Of
his virtues the praise is his own。
〃Never was there a more gracious prince； or a more proper gentleman。
In every pleasure he was temperate； in conversation mild and grave； in
friendship constant； to his servants liberal； to his queen faithful and loving；
in battle grave； in sorrow and captivity resolved； in death most Christian
and forgiving。
〃For his oppressions； let us look at the former history of this realm。
James was never accounted a tyrant。 Elizabeth is esteemed to have been
the mother of her people。 Were they less arbitrary？ Did they never lay
hands on the purses of their subjects but by Act of Parliament？ Did they
never confine insolent and disobedient men but in due course of law？
Was the court of Star Chamber less active？ Were the ears of libellers
more safe？ I pray you； let not king Charles be thus dealt with。 It was
enough that in his life he was tried for an alleged breach of laws which
none ever heard named till they were discovered for his destruction。 Let
not his fame be treated as was his sacred and anointed body。 Let not his
memory be tried by principles found out ex post facto。 Let us not judge
by the spirit of one generation a man whose disposition had been formed
by the temper and fashion of another。〃
〃Nay； but conceive me； Mr Cowley；〃 said Mr Milton； 〃inasmuch as； at
the beginning of his reign； he imitated those who had governed before him；
I blame him not。 To expect that kings will； of their own free choice；
abridge their prerogative； were argument of but slender wisdom。
Whatever； therefore； lawless； unjust； or cruel； he either did or permitted
during the first years of his reign； I pass by。 But for what was done after
that he had solemnly given his consent to the Petition of Right； where shall
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we find defence？ Let it be supposed； which yet I concede not； that the
tyranny of his father and of Queen Elizabeth had been no less rigorous
than was his。 But had his father； had that queen； sworn like him； to
abstain from those rigours？ Had they； like him； for good and valuable
consideration； aliened their hurtful prerogatives？ Surely not： from
whatever excuse you can plead for him he had wholly excluded himself。
The borders of countries； we know； are mostly the seats of perpetual wars
and tumults。 It was the same with the undefined frontiers； which of old
separated privilege and prerogative。 They were the debatable land of our
polity。 It was no marvel if； both on the one side and on the other； inroads
were often made。 But； when treaties have been concluded； spaces
measured； lines drawn； landmarks set up； that which before might pass for
innocent error or just reprisal becomes robbery； perjury； deadly sin。 He
knew not； you say； which of his powers were founded on ancient law； and
which only on vicious example。 But had he not read the Petition of Right？
Had not proclamation been made from his throne； Soit fait comme il est
desire？
〃For his private virtues they are beside the question。 Remember you
not；〃 and Mr Milton smiled； but somewhat sternly； 〃what Dr Cauis saith in
the Merry Wives of Shakspeare？ 'What shall the honest man do in my
closet？ There is no honest man that shall come in my closet。' Even so
say I。 There is no good man who shall make us his slaves。 If he break
his word to his people； is it a sufficient defence that he keeps it to his
companions？ If he oppress and extort all day； shall he be held blameless
because he prayeth at night and morning？ If he be insatiable in plunder
and revenge； shall we pass it by because in meat and drink he is temperate？
If he have lived like a tyrant； shall all be forgotten because he hath died
like a martyr？
〃He was a man； as I think； who had so much semblance of virtues as
might make his vices most dangerous。 He was not a tyrant after our
wonted English model。 The second Richard； the second and fourth
Edwards； and the eighth Harry； were men profuse； gay； boisterous； lovers
of women and of wine； of no outward sanctity or gravity。 Charles was a
ruler after the Italian fashion； grave； demure； of a solemn carriage； and a
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sober diet； as constant at prayers as a priest； as heedless of oaths as an
atheist。〃
Mr Cowley answered somewhat sharply： 〃I am sorry； Sir； to hear you
speak thus。 I had hoped that the vehemence of spirit which was caused
by these violent times had now abated。 Yet； sure； Mr Milton； whatever
you may think of the character of King Charles； you will not still justify
his murder？〃
〃Sir；〃 said Mr Milton； 〃I must have been of a hard and strange nature；
if the vehemence which was imputed to me in my younger days had not
been diminished by the afflictions wherewith it hath pleased Almighty
God to chasten my age。 I will not now defend all that I may heretofore
have written。 But this I say； that I perceive not wherefore a king should
be exempted from all punishment。 Is it just that where most is given
least should be required？ Or politic that where there is the greatest
power to injure there should be no danger to restrain？ But； you will say；
there is no such law。 Such a law there is。 There is the law of
selfpreservation written by God himself on our hearts。 There