r people as the fruit of our
solicitation. Which will moreover tie us to the performance of all
good offices in return, and lay the firmest foundations not only
for the establishment but even for the increase of the relationship
and friendship between this Commonwealth and your Dominion. Nor do
we less promise this to ourselves from your justice and moderation.
We beg Almighty God to bend your mind and thoughts in this
direction, and we heartily pray for you and for your people peace
and truth and prosperity in all your affairs."[2]--The bearer of
this letter to the Duke, as we know, was Mr. Samuel Morland, who
had been selected as the Protector's special Commissioner for the
purpose. He left London on the 26th of May. He took with him, also,
a copy of the Latin speech which he was to deliver to the Duke in
presenting the letter. As there is much probability that this Latin
speech is also in part of Milton's composition, and as it is in
even a bolder and more indignant strain than the letter, it may be
well to translate it too:--"Your Serene and Royal Highnesses [the
Duke and his mother both addressed?],--The Most Serene Lord,
Oliver, Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and
Ireland, has sent me to your Royal Highnesses; whom he salutes very
heartily, and to whom, with a very high affection and peculiar
regard for your Serenities, he wishes a long life and reign, and a
prosperous issue of all your affairs, amid the applauses and
respect of your people. And this is due to you, whether in
consideration of the excellent character and royal descent of your
Highnesses, and the great expectation of the world from so many
eminent good qualities, or in recollection, after reference to
records, of the ancient friendship of our Kings with the Royal
house of Savoy. Though I am, I confess, but a young man, and not
very ripe in experience of affairs, yet it has pleased my Most
Serene and Gracious Master to send me, as one much devoted to your
Royal Highnesses and ardently attached to all bearing the Italian
name, on what is really a great mission.--The ancient legend is
that the son of Croesus was completely dumb from his birth. When,
however, he saw a soldier aiming a wound at his father, straightway
he had the use of his tongue. No other is my predicament, feeling
as I do my tongue loosened by those very recent and bloody wounds
of Mother Chur