n compatible either with his
temper or his situation. While he spoke perpetually of pardoning all
rebels, they talked of nothing but the punishment of delinquents and
malignants: while he offered a toleration and indulgence to tender
consciences, they threatened the utter extirpation of prelacy: to his
professions of lenity they opposed declarations of rigor; and the more
the ancient tenor of the laws inculcated a respectful subordination to
the crown, the more careful were they, by their lofty pretensions, to
cover that defect under which they labored.

Their great advantages in the north seemed to second their ambition,
and finally to promise them success in their unwarrantable enterprises.
Manchester, having taken Lincoln, had united his army to that of Leven
and Fairfax; and York was now closely besieged by their combined forces.
That town, though vigorously defended by Newcastle, was reduced to
extremity; and the parliamentary generals, after enduring great losses
and fatigues, flattered themselves that all their labors would at last
be crowned by this important conquest. On a sudden, they were alarmed by
the approach of Prince Rupert. This gallant commander, having vigorously
exerted himself in Lancashire and Cheshire, had collected a considerable
army; and joining Sir Charles Lucas, who commanded Newcastle's horse,
hastened to the relief of York with an army of twenty thousand men. The
Scottish and parliamentary generals raised the siege, and drawing up on
Marston Moor, purposed to give battle to the royalists. Prince Rupert
approached the town by another quarter, and, interposing the River
Ouse between him and the enemy, safely joined his forces to those of
Newcastle. The marquis endeavored to persuade him, that, having so
successfully effected his purpose, he ought to be content with the
present advantages, and leave the enemy, now much diminished by their
losses, and discouraged by their ill success, to dissolve by those
mutual dissensions which had begun to take place among them.[*] The
prince, whose martial disposition was not sufficiently tempered with
prudence, nor softened by complaisance, pretending positive orders from
the king, without deigning to consult with Newcastle, whose merits
and services deserved better treatment, immediately issued orders
for battle, and led out the army to Marston Moor.[**] This action was
obstinately disputed between the most numerous armies that were engaged
during the cou