ARGUMENT OF BOOK THIRD.

Mrs. Claypole's reflections on the foregoing-Her estimate of sublunary fame-The sum of human reputation partitioned and shared by the horse-racer, card-player, and others, as well as the warrior-Cobham's praise superior to all these-Progress of the narrative-Cromwell's account of Henry VIIIth's reforin-Description of a monastery and its inmates-and suppression--The rebel mendicant-Encomium on Edward VI.-Reforming principles of his government-Bloody Mary-Queen ElizabethMrs. Claypole's praise and dispraise of this reign-Allusion to Mary Queen of Scots-Ecclesiastical tyranny of various kindsCromwell's opinion of these measures-His view of the exceptionable parts of the Church of England, and its alleged proximity to Romish idolatry-Effect of force on a tender conscience-Sunday sports-Mrs. Claypole's dissertation on the Sabbath-Strictures on its observance-Its divine institution and change to the first day of the week as a memorial of Redemption-Its benign effects on men and manners detailed-Cromwell's tolerance of Episcopal forms, but expects toleration to his views in return-Reflections-Detail of the persecuting views of both King and Parliament in Charles Ist's reign-The army forced to secure toleration by violent measuresMrs. Claypole's observations on the complexity of civil and ecclesi astical affairs during the troubles-Her description of her father's attempt at emigration to America-Emigration scene-Abandon their country residence-Journey to the sea coast-Parting of friends-Isabella's complaint and song-Mrs. Claypole's description of England during the civil wars-Desires from her father an

account of Scotland-Cromwell details some private adventures there-description of Scotch inland and coast scenery-The mountain chief-Cromwell's encampment-His spy adventure-Description of a Highland glen, hamlet, and river-Blackbird's chauntThe Protector seized by a rustic piquet-Account of them and their customs-He joins their devotional exercise-Description of Fellowship-meeting for social purposes among Scottish peasantry— Psalms-Prayer-Religious conference-Cromwell's reflections on the Scottish character-Is so excited by the worship that he falls into a trance or extacy-His escape-Reflections Night scene-Glen of the second-sight-Vision of his own funeral-and that of Admiral Blake-and Mrs. Claypole-and the violation of their sepulchres-Interrupted by Mrs. Claypole, by a tender of despatches from Piedmont with intelligence of the Popish massacres thereHis resolutions on that head-His heated reflections and thoughts of vengeance-In proceeding to measures for relief of the Piedmontese he is arrested by a fifth Monarchy-man breaking into the apartmenttheir conversation-views of that sect-their fierce objections to Cromwell's government-Attempts the Protector's life-Struggle-The Assassin is slain-Cromwell carries off his daughter lifeless-Conclusion,

BOOK THIRD.

MRS. CLAY POLE. (Lifting her head from the table.)

In cloudy listlessness, I did not drowse

Thy frightful tale; yea, am I sick at heart:
But now erect, and fortify my soul,

And cease to play the woman, and evince
To thy goodwill a sprightly gratitude :
And clothing me in sapience meditate
The shadowy void of sublunary praise.

If fame was sequence of the search severe
Of wisdom, her arbitrement were safe,
And man in her awards might take delight
In unrepented confidence secure.
She is the badge of human favour, but
Worthless, if her false empire she derive
From element intrinsically vile,

And

grow out of the breath of witless lips.

One idler 'stablishes his vain esteem
Upon the flight of horses, and him* rates
Most worshipful who plots the fleetest breed,
Who lustiest rides the ring, and flings his all,
With reckless intrepidity, to risk,

Bets on with dauntless brow, and sweeps the stakes.
Such is the champion of some faulty brains
In town and hamlet, country-side and hall.
Some other fools, less stout, their laud lay up
For him,+ large mental skill who misemploys
In the deep match; who lavishes on trick
Shrewd faculty, and memory rich store.
Who stratagem with strength wisely combines
In mystery of cards; set to delude

The crafty adversary, to cloak up

His proper flimsiness, t' ensnare and lead
To ambuscade and trap, and in a mesh
Of artifice, the prosp'rous hoard to palm.
A third all other excellence contemns

For fight of the spurr'd fowl, and fondles much
Some gloomy spendthrift, yet more truculent
Than Turk or Tartar, inexpert of good,

In mischief sole, and vicious traffic skill'd;
And sage, the added steel to polish keen

*The horse racer.

+ Card player.

That drill'd the gallant combatant to death.
And last, nor least abundant, is he deem'd
Glorious, who, murdering temperance, can stem
Cool and unruffled, the mad, giddy flood,
While others droop in billows of excess :
Whose jest outsparkles e'en his brimming cup,
And gay retort a mirthful strength expands
More pungent than his wine. These famous ones
With perverse mankind win approval wide,
And occupy the populace's heart,

Filling of vacant breast the chinky void.
And they, across the brooks, are celebrate,
In pathways, and at gate staid on its hinge.
And with the sum of such debas'd renown
Computed daily, and recorded sure,
The warrior's solitary honour shews,

His rare fought battle, and hard earn'd esteem,
In arithmetic reckon'd scarce a grain.

Henry Plantagenet,* a grateful name

To which the English ear bears record high,
Is clamour'd from the ring of common life
By rivalry diffuse. Yet still remain

To equity adverse and much oppos'd,

Conquering kings, cockfighters, they that clinch

* The Fifth.