for such work, so said he, roundly, all the kings in the world should not turn him into a nurse when he was to fight. As we returned from the chase we saw the left wing in disorder, and the royal standard floating above the black and yellow flags of the rebels; on which one of the young gentlemen of the Lord Stuart's troop, taking a yellow scarf from a dead man, tied it around him (swearing, as was but natural), and catching a fresh horsefor ours were well-nigh beat-rode in straight among the enemy. "Ho!" saith he, "this belongeth unto me!" taking it from the Lord General's secretary, Mr. Chambers, who was waving it in triumph above his head; "thou art but a penman, and only a soldier must carry such a flag on such a field." With that, setting spurs to his steed, he galloped back, not discovered till too late. His comrades surrounded him up to the King, who made him a knight; and then we pursued them, capturing the Earl of Essex's plate, money, and papers. And so we won the battle, my young master.'

'And poor William Cooke?' said I. 'My lord tells me he fell.'

'Sir Geoffrey was nigh him, and saw how brave he rode, which was all he could desire,' returned this bold trooper. Shot through the head, the only one of the Hulme troop that came not back from the fight, though there be a many left of the Roundheads, and the Lord General's brother amid them. He thought to make a stand against us, but we did for him and a many more.'

Nixon then gave me a message from my dear lord as to what moneys he required, he being fearful of writing it, lest by some mischance it should be read by them it concerned not. And the next day he set forward on his return to rejoin him at Oxford, whither the King and Prince have taken up their quarters for the time. And so that reverend city, that of old heard nought but the grave steps of priests and clerks, now rings with the tread of mailed warriors! Yet truly never were prayers more needed than they be now.

I find in my diary not much of importance

to the end of this year.

The Prince, never

long in one place, with some five hundred men, provided food and forage for the King's army, also bringing in money for the King's treasury and the payment of his troops, whose love for him increases daily, my dear lord tells me in a short letter I had from him by a messenger sent to Sir John Owen. Brentford was surprised and taken by the Prince with this small force, and after collecting much treasure and goods from it, which was sent the King, the rebels in large force advanced to surround him; so, being obliged to retreat, his Highness rode into the river the while his troops marched out over the bridge, he, as they passed by, cheering and encouraging them to keep order and fire steadily on the advancing foe. The Roundhead writers affirm he hath some familiar spirit, for though always in the greatest danger and the thickest of the fire, yet he escapeth unhurt. Truly I should much like to see this gallant young Prince with mine own eyes! The King continueth at Oxford daily at service and sermon, hearing and practising the same

religion which hath ever been in our Church; and my dear lord, now nigh upon four months away from me, saith he seeth not any likelihood of peace awhile yet.

CHAPTER III.

ARLY in the next year we heard news

of the arrival of her Majesty the Queen

from France in Burlington Bay, from whence with some risk she proceeded to York, and was forced to stay there, as the enemy was so strong between York and Oxford. I think it was in March of this year, 1643, my dear lord writ to me of a strange sight that appeared in the heavens, and was seen by all in those parts. In the night a shining cloud appeared, in form resembling a sword. It portendeth war, they say, though truly enough have we had it already. It shone with brightness like unto the moon, and vanished not till nigh the dawn. Pray Heaven it be good for his Majesty!

Towards the end of April, when Ellinor and I one sweet day were in the south chamber above stairs, and the casements open, for the