The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-11-01

uItuo'u' 'isitatioh, iuuteu.
" He will never return in power" said n
voice from another part of the room "and
there are those wiihin my hearing who will
yet decide upon his fate"
At this Instant, the door opened, and
two strangers entered-one apparently n
bout the prime of life, the other younger
both habited in military clonks, w'ih sloUch-
ed hats, swords dangling AT their heels,
aud exhibiting the dress Of the rounhead
army.
Here, then, were three persons destined
to become conspicuous to posterity--two of
them governors of natons--ihe third re-
markable for his cunning, hypocrisy, aud
knavery, whois celebrated as William Lilly,
the astrologer. There was no net of vii
lany or treachery of which this man was
no. capable. Alternately n spy for The king
or the parliament, he was detested by both;
and world, most probably have met with
the fate he deserved, had he not been a
convenient tool to forward the purposes,
occasionally, of each. His influence over
the common people was uubounded, aud,
animated by his predictions, the round
heads rushed to the field with the cry of
"The sword of the Lord and Of Gideon"
Il was he who interrupted the conversation
as the two strangers entered.
/ The first of these was n man of COM
,nundng height, with a soemn and austere
countepance, in which you might decipher
sieadiness of purpose aud firmness in ex-
ecution. Ii was Cromwell,
The second WAS his son-in-law, Ire.on,
afterw ards lieutenant of Ireland, who would
have been, in other times, gay aud disso-
lutte young mnn, bur whose Imagination,
fettered by the puriianism of the day, lay
torpid, like bat in winter, waiting for n
more genial season.
| As they seated themselves at the table,
and did not appear to be above the ordinary
rank Of soldiers, the conversation was soon
resumed by the original parties.
Perhaps" said the last speaker, "our
new oomers can give us some udings oi
treaties between the king and the parlia-
ment. Is the king though, to be sincere in
his inte n,ions 7"
"The hearts Of all men," snid Cromwell
are in the hands Of the Lord, to fashion
even as the potter moDIdeth his clay. lie
can harden them like unto Phnraoh's, or
incline them unto good, like unto the apos-
tie Paul's."
"The rest" observed Ireton, time will
declare"
Said ] not to ye that he would never
return here in power 7" said Lilly. Why
question ye the strangers, o ye of little
faith l"-for he could well initiate the scrip
,ural cant and slang of the predominant
faction.
Pence, babbler!" said Cromwell (;
thou goest about to delude aud deceive.
Hath the Lord ever revealed himself unto
lhee, that thou presumest 10 prophesy,
leading his heritage from the right way, to
follow thy vain imagin,ngs1"
Voz sfellornm, uon Del" returned Lilly !:
" the rest" in an ironlcal tone, time will
declare"
"IIow fought the city bands at the late
battle 7" asked the first interrogation; did
they honor to the city :"
"They fought" said Cromwell, "as
men who feared the Lord. The enemy
fed before them like chaf before the wind"
The ,ramping of a horse in the gateway
now put a stop to the conversation. Crom-
well rose, and walked out Of the room, fol-
lowed by Ireton.
He benreth himself" snid Lilly, "ns
though his star WAS already in the ascen-
dant but shall live to see him raised on
high, to be- like Haman, the scorn and ter
ror Of men,"
In the yard of the inn, as Cromwell and
Ireton entered from the kitchen, n courier
had JUS; dismounted from jaded aud bes-
battered horse.
"Halt ~ said Cromwell. Whence
comest thou ~
"Oxford. your honor" said the man.
Thou nrt daring traitor" said Crom-
well, 4" that thinkes, to pass with impunity
: through this good city, bearing, rs thou
dost, letter to the foes Of England to for
ward her ruin"
"Your honors," said the man, "may
search me md nay horse, and IL you find
any treason, so may be punished. The
Lord knows am guiltless Of the crime ye
charge me with"
ave take thee at thy word" said Crom-
we'll, who, approaching the horse, took oil
the saddle himself, and carried 1t into the
stable, ordering the courier to be secured
uli he and lrcton returned.
This was the important crisis Of Cros,-
wells life, and from that moment he re-
solved on the destruction Of the king. A
treaty was then going on hetween the par
lament and Charles !, in which stipuIasions
Of safety, and even of advancement in Dig
mites aud honofs, were inserted for those
who had fought and distinguished them
srlvrs against his majesty. During the
negotiations, Charles wrote letter to his
aueea, ucnrieiis, desiring her to send him
farther assistance, as the rebellion, he bo-
ped, would soon he suppressed. He was
caloling his enemies with fair words ami
promises "but they shall know" he said,
" Ths, the wrath Of kings is terrible, and
not soon to- he appessed." This important
j Letter Was siiichcd in the lining OF the sad