ages; and that, after taking arms without any
provocation against their sovereign, who had ever loved and cherished
them, they had deservedly fallen into a situation from which they could
not extricate themselves without either infamy or imprudence.

The infamy of this bargain had such an influence on the Scottish
parliament, that they once voted that the king should be protected,
and his liberty insisted on. But the general assembly interposed, and
pronounced that, as he had refused to take the covenant, which was
pressed on him, it became not the godly to concern themselves about his
fortunes. After this declaration, it behoved the parliament to retract
their vote.[*]

Intelligence concerning the final resolution of the Scottish nation to
surrender him, was brought to the king; and he happened, at that very
time, to be playing at chess.[**] Such command of temper did he possess,
that he continued his game without interruption; and none of the
bystanders could perceive that the letter which he perused had brought
him news of any consequence. The English commissioners, who, some days
after, came to take him under their custody, were admitted to kiss his
hands; and he received them with the same grace and cheerfulness as if
they had travelled on no other errand than to pay court to him. The old
earl of Pembroke, in particular, who was one of them, he congratulated
on his strength and vigor, that he was still able, during such a season,
to perform so long a journey, in company with so many young people.

{1647.} The king, being delivered over by the Scots to the English
commissioners, was conducted under a guard to Holdenby, in the county
of Northampton. On his journey, the whole country flocked to behold him,
moved partly by curiosity, partly by compassion and affection. If any
still retained rancor against him, in his present condition, they
passed in silence; while his well-wishers, more generous than prudent,
accompanied his march with tears, with acclamations, and with prayers
for his safety.[***] That ancient superstition, likewise, of desiring
the king's touch in scrofulous distempers, seemed to acquire fresh
credit among the people, from the general tenderness which began to
prevail for this virtuous and unhappy monarch.

* Parl. Hist. vol. xv. p. 243, 244.

** Burnet's Memoirs of the Hamiltons.

*** Ludlow. Herbert.

The commissioners rendered his confinement at Holdenby very rigorous;
dism