military operations merely by a high sense
of honor and a personal regard to his master. The dangers of war were
disregarded by his valor; but its fatigues were oppressive to his
natural indolence. Munificent and generous in his expense; polite and
elegant in his taste; courteous and humane in his behavior; he brought a
great accession of friends and of credit to the party which he embraced.
But amidst all the hurry of action, his inclinations were secretly drawn
to the soft arts of peace, in which he took delight; and the charms
of poetry music, and conversation often stole him from his rougher
occupations. He chose Sir William Devenant, an ingenious poet, for his
lieutenant-general: the other persons in whom he placed confidence were
more the instruments of his refined pleasures, than qualified for
the business which they undertook; and the severity and application
requisite to the support of discipline, were qualities in which he was
entirely wanting.[*]

When Prince Rupert, contrary to his advice, resolved on this battle, and
issued all orders without communicating his intentions to him, he took
the field, but, he said, merely as a volunteer; and, except by his
personal courage, which shone out with lustre, he had no share in the
action. Enraged to find that all his successful labors were rendered
abortive by one act of fatal temerity, terrified with the prospect of
renewing his pains and fatigue, he resolved no longer to maintain the
few resources which remained to a desperate cause, and thought, that the
same regard to honor which had at first called him to arms, now required
him to abandon a party where he met with such unworthy treatment. Next
morning early, he sent word to the prince, that he was instantly to
leave the kingdom; and without delay, he went to Scarborough, where he
found a vessel, which carried him beyond sea. During the ensuing years,
till the restoration, he lived abroad in great necessity, and saw with
indifference his opulent fortune sequestered by those who assumed the
government of England. He disdained, by submission or composition,
to show obeisance to their usurped authority; and the least favorable
censors of his merit allowed, that the fidelity and services of a whole
life had sufficiently atoned for one rash action, into which his passion
had betrayed him.[**]

Prince Rupert, with equal precipitation, drew off the remains of his
army, and retired into Lancashire. Glenham, in a few day