ring usurpations of his subjects would shrink before him. Lord
Digby, a man of fine parts but full of levity, and hurried on by
precipitate passions, suggested like counsels; and Charles, who, though
commonly moderate in his temper, was ever disposed to hasty resolutions,
gave way to the fatal importunity of his friends and servants.[*]

* Clarendon, vol. ii. p. 360.

Herbert, attorney-general, appeared in the house of peers and in his
majesty's name entered an accusation of high treason against Lord
Kimbolton and five commoners, Hollis, Sir Arthur Hazlerig, Hambden, Pym,
and Strode. The articles were, that they had traitorously endeavored to
subvert the fundamental laws and government of the kingdom, to deprive
the king of his regal power, and to impose on his subjects an arbitrary
and tyrannical authority: that they had endeavored, by many foul
aspersions on his majesty and his government, to alienate the affections
of his people, and make him odious to them: that they had attempted to
draw his late army to disobedience of his royal commands, and to
side with them in their traitorous designs: that they had invited and
encouraged a foreign power to invade the kingdom: that they had aimed
at subverting the rights and very being of parliament: that, in order
to complete their traitorous designs, they had endeavored, as far as
in them lay, by force and terror to compel the parliament to join with
them; and to that end had actually raised and countenanced tumults
against the king and parliament: and that they had traitorously
conspired to levy, and actually had levied war against the king.[*]

* Whitlocke, p. 50. Rush. vol. v. p. 473. Nalson, vol. ii.
p. 811. Franklyn, p. 906.

The whole world stood amazed at this important accusation, so suddenly
entered upon without concert, deliberation, or reflection. Some of these
articles of accusation, men said, to judge by appearance, seem to be
common between the impeached members and the parliament; nor did these
persons appear any further active in the enterprises of which they were
accused, than so far as they concurred with the majority in their votes
and speeches. Though proofs might perhaps be produced of their privately
inviting the Scots to invade England, how could such an attempt be
considered as treason, after the act of oblivion which had passed, and
after that both houses, with the king's concurrence, had voted that
nation three hundred thousand poun