e rich and malecontent counties of the west, having
lost all protection from their friends, might be forced to pay
high contributions as an atonement for their disaffection; an open
communication could be preserved between Wales and these new conquests;
and half of the kingdom being entirely freed from the enemy, and thus
united into one firm body, might be employed in reestablishing the
king's authority throughout the remainder. These were the reasons for
embracing that resolution, fatal, as it was ever esteemed to the royal
party.[*]

The governor of Gloucester was one Massey, a soldier of fortune, who,
before he engaged with the parliament, had offered his service to the
king; and as he was free from the fumes of enthusiasm, by which most of
the officers on that side were intoxicated, he would lend an ear, it
was presumed, to proposals for accommodation. But Massey was resolute
to preserve an entire fidelity to his masters; and though no enthusiast
himself, he well knew how to employ to advantage that enthusiastic
spirit so prevalent in his city and garrison. The summons to surrender
allowed two hours for an answer; but before that time expired, there
appeared before the king two citizens, with lean, pale, sharp, and
dismal visages; faces so strange and uncouth, according to Clarendon,
figures so habited and accoutred, as at once moved the most severe
countenance to mirth, and the most cheerful heart to sadness; it seemed
impossible that such messengers could bring less than a defiance.
The men, without any circumstance of duty or good manners, in a pert,
shrill, undismayed accent, said that they brought an answer from the
godly city of Gloucester; and extremely ready were they, according to
the historian, to give insolent and seditious replies to any question;
as if their business were chiefly, by provoking the king, to make him
violate his own safe-conduct. The answer from the city was in these
words: "We, the inhabitants, magistrates, officers, and soldiers within
the garrison of Gloucester, unto his majesty's gracious message, return
this humble answer: that we do keep this city, according to our
oaths and allegiance, to and for the use of his majesty and his royal
posterity; and do accordingly conceive ourselves wholly bound to obey
the commands of his majesty, signified by both houses of parliament, and
are resolved, by God's help, to keep this city accordingly."[**] After
these preliminaries, the siege was res