按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Nor was this the last of his majesty's numerous risks； for being presently left alone； he stood thoughtful and somewhat melancholy by the fire； resting one hand on a chair； and the landlord； coming in and seeing him engaged in this manner； softly advanced； suddenly kissed the king's hand； and said； 〃God bless you； wherever you go。〃 Charles started； and would have denied himself； but the landlord cried out； 〃'Fore God； your majesty may trust me； and；〃 he added； 〃I have no doubt； before I die； to be a lord； and my wife a lady。〃
That night； the last his majesty was to spend in England for many years； he was sad and depressed。 The scenes of bloodshed he had witnessed； the imminent dangers he had escaped； were vividly present to his mind。 The past was fraught with horror； the future held no hope。 Though a king； he was about to become an outcast from his realm。 Surmising his thoughts； his companions sought to cheer him。 Now the long…desired moment of escape was at hand； no one thought of repose。 The little vessel in which he intended sailing lay dry upon the shore； the tide being at low water。 The king and his friends； the merchant； the captain； and the landlord； sat in the well…lighted cosy parlour of the seaport inn； smoking； playing cards； telling stories and drinking good ale。
With all such diversions the hours wore heavily away。 Their noisy joviality had an undercurrent of sadness； jokes failed to amuse； laughter seemed forced； words； mirthful in leaving the lips； sounded ominous on reaching the ear。 At four o'clock the captain rose to survey his ship； and presently returned saying the tide had risen。 Thereon the king and his friends prepared to depart。 A damp； chilly November fog hung over the sea； hiding its wide expanse without deadening its monotonous moan。 A procession of black figures leaving the inn sped noiselessly through darkness。 Arriving at the shore； those who were not to accompany his majesty； knelt and kissed his hand。 Then he； with Lord Wilmot and the captain； climbed on board the vessel and entered the cabin。 The fog had turned to rain。 Four hours later； the tide being favourable； the ship sailed out of port； and in due time the king was safely landed in France。
CHAPTER III。
Celebration of the Kings return。Those who flocked to Whitehall My Lord Cleveland's gentlemen。Sir Thomas Allen's supper。 Touching for King's evil。That none might lose their labour。 The man with the fungus nose。The memory of the regicides。 Cromwell's effigy。Ghastly scene at Tyburn。The King's clemency。The Coronation procession。Sights and scenes by the way。His Majesty is crowned。
The return of the king and his court was a signal for universal joy throughout the nation in general and the capital in particular。 For weeks and months subsequent to his majesty's triumphal entry； the town did not subside from its condition of excitement and revelry to its customary quietude and sobriety。 Feasts by day were succeeded by entertainments at night； 〃and under colour of drinking the king's health；〃 says Bishop Burnet； 〃there were great disorder and much riot。〃
It seemed as if the people could not sufficiently express their delight at the presence of the young king amongst them； or satisfy their desire of seeing him。 When clad in rich velvets and costly lace； adorned with many jewels and waving feathers； he walked in Hyde Park attended by an 〃abundance of gallantry；〃 or went to Whitehall Chapel； where 〃the organs and singing…men in surplices〃 were first heard by Mr。 Pepys； a vast crowd of loyal subjects attended him on his way。 Likewise； when； preceded by heralds； he journeyed by water in his barge to open Parliament； the river was crowded with innumerable boats； and the banks lined with a great concourse anxious for sight of him。 Nor were his subjects satisfied by the glimpses obtained of him on such occasions； they must needs behold their king surrounded by the insignia of royalty in the palace of his ancestors； and flocked thither in numbers。 〃The eagerness of men； women； and children to see his majesty； and kisse his hands was so greate；〃 says Evelyn； 〃that he had scarce leisure to eate for some dayes； coming as they did from all parts of the nation： and the king being as willing to give them that satisfaction； would have none kept out； but gave free access to all sorts of people。〃 Indeed his loyal subjects were no less pleased with him than he with them； and in faith he was sorry； he declared； in that delicate strain of irony that ran like a bright thread throughout the whole pattern of his speech； he had not come over before； for every man he encountered was glad to see him。
Day after day； week after week； the Palace of Whitehall presented a scene of ceaseless bustle。 Courtiers； ambassadors； politicians； soldiers； and citizens crowded the antechambers； flocked through the galleries； and tarried in the courtyards。 Deputations from all the shires and chief towns in the three kingdoms； bearing messages of congratulation and loyalty； were presented to the king。 First of all came the worshipful lord mayor； aldermen and council of the city of London； in great pomp and state； when the common…sergeant made a speech to his majesty respecting the affection of the city towards him； and the lord mayor； on hospitable thoughts intent； besought the honour of his company to dinner； the which Charles promised him most readily。 And the same day the commissioners from Ireland presented themselves； headed by Sir James Barry； who delivered himself of a fine address regarding the love his majesty's Irish subjects bore him； as proof of which he presented the monarch with a bill for twenty thousand pounds； that had been duly accepted by Alderman Thomas Viner； a right wealthy man and true。 Likewise came the deputy steward and burgesses of the city of Westminster； arrayed in the glory of new scarlet gowns； and the French； Italian； and Dutch ministers； when Monsieur Stoope pronounced an harangue with great eloquence。 Also the vice…chancellor of the University of Oxford； with divers doctors； bachelors of divinity； proctors； and masters of arts of the same learned university； who； having first met at the Temple Church； went by two and two； according to their seniority； to Essex House； that they might wait on the most noble the Marquis of Hertford； then chancellor。 Accompanied by him； and preceded by eight esquires and yeomen beadles； having their staves； and three of them wearing gold chains； they presented themselves before the king； and spoke him words of loyalty and greeting。 The heads of the colleges and halls of Cambridge； with some masters of arts； in like manner journeyed to Whitehall； when Dr。 Love delivered a learned Latin oration； expressive of their devotion to royalty in the person of their most illustrious monarch。
Amongst others came； one day； my Lord Cleveland at the head of a hundred gentlemen； many of them being officers who had formerly served under him； and other gentlemen who had ridden to meet the king when coming unto his own； and having arrived at Whitehall； they knelt down in the matted gallery； when his majesty 〃was pleased to walk along；〃 says MERCURIUS PUBLICUS； 〃and give everyone of them the honou