or of using any violence in, or upon the city, I
could never yet see cause to believe.' But it unluckily happened, that
while this combination was on foot, Sir Nicholas Crisp procured a
commission of array to be sent from Oxford to London, which was
carried by the lady Aubigny, and delivered to a gentleman employed by
Sir Nicholas to take it of her; and this being discovered at the same
time Mr. Waller's plot was, the two conspiracies were blended into
one; tho' the earl of Clarendon is satisfied that they were two
distinct designs. His lordship relates the discovery of Mr. Waller's
plot in this manner: 'A servant of Mr. Tomkins, who had often
cursorily overheard his master and Mr. Waller discourse of the subject
which we are upon, placed himself behind the hangings, at a time when
they were together; and there whilst either of them discovered the
language and opinion of the company which they kept, overheard enough
to make him believe, that his information and discovery could make him
welcome to those whom he thought concerned, and so went to Mr. Pym,
and acquainted him with all he had heard, or probably imagined. The
time when Mr. Pym was made acquainted with it, is not known; but the
circumstance of publishing it was such as filled all men with
apprehensions.'

'It was on Wednesday the 31st of May, their solemn fast day, when
being all at their sermon in St. Margaret's church, Westminster,
according to their custom, a letter or message was brought privately
to Mr. Pym; who thereupon with some of the most active members rose
from their seats, and after a little whispering together, removed out
of the church. This could not but exceedingly affect those who stayed
behind. Immediately they sent guards to all the prisons, at
Lambeth-house, Ely-house, and such places where malignants were in
custody, with directions to search the prisoners, and some other
places which they thought fit should be suspected. After the sermon
was ended, the houses met, and were only then told, that letters were
intercepted going to the King and the court at Oxford, which expressed
some notable conspiracy in hand, to deliver up the Parliament and the
city into the hands of the Cavaliers; and that the time for the
execution of it drew near. Hereupon a committee was appointed to
examine all persons they thought fit, and to apprehend some nominated
at that time; and the same night this committee apprehended Mr. Waller
and Mr. Tomkins, and the nex