THE PRESBYTERIANS SAMUEL BUTLER (From "Hudibras," Part I) THE serious-minded clergy of Scotland had been cordially disliked by James I. from his boyhood. To his son they were still more obnoxious. Charles I. undertook to force the use of the English ritual upon the Scotch church and provoked a general rebellion (1639). Men of all classes entered into a solemn covenant to defend the Presbyterian faith against corruption. The Covenanters had many sympathizers in England. The Puritans, who protested against the king's evident leaning toward Rome, and the Parliamentarians, who steadily opposed the doctrine of divine right, were ready to join with the Scotch in the struggle against arbitrary government. The Presbyterians were, however, detested as breeders of dissension by the king's party and by the adherents of the established church. They were lampooned by Samuel Butler in the satirical poem, "Hudibras." That stubborn crew To be the true Church Militant. And prove their doctrine orthodox A sect whose chief devotion lies As if they worshipped God for spite, In them, in other men all sin. That which they love most tenderly; Fat pig and goose itself oppose, And blaspheme custard through the nose. STRAFFORD ROBERT BROWNING SIR THOMAS WENTWORTH was one of the English statesmen who opposed the doctrine of divine right. He believed that the life and liberty of the subject must be guarded against arbitrary power, but he was unwilling to follow the men who were aiming to render the king subordinate to Parliament. On the passing of the Petition of Right (1629), he broke with the reform party and offered his services to Charles. Wentworth was sent to Ireland as Lord Deputy, but returned to the king's side (1641) when the Covenanters were threatening an invasion of England. Finding that the Parliamentarians were carrying on negotiations with the Scotch, he offered to bring a loyal Irish army to the defence of the king. Charles rewarded his devotion by creating him Earl of Strafford and appointed him Lieutenant General of the English army with orders to suppress rebellion in any of the king's dominions. Indignant because of his treason to the popular cause, Pym and the reform party charged Strafford with attempting to "introduce an arbitrary and tyrannical government against law," and succeeded in forcing a bill of attainder through Parliament. Charles had promised Strafford upon the honor of a king "that he should not suffer in life, honor, or fortune," yet he signed the bill, hoping thus to avoid further trouble. ACT I SCENE I. A House near Whitehall. Hampden, Hollis, the younger Vane, Rudyard, Fiennes, and many of the Presbyterian Party; Loudon and other Scots Commissioners. Vane. Now, by Heaven They may be cool who can, silent who will -- Ere this. And when I think on all that's past Her dismal trade, the use of all her tools, To ply the scourge yet screw the gag so close If he dies under it, what harm? if not, Worth a king's knowing, and what Ireland bears Hamp. For that you should be still. Vane. O Hampden, then and now! The year he left us, The People in full Parliament could wrest A stealthy gathering of great-hearted men That do I, Vane. And, Rudyard, I'll say thisWhich all true men say after me, not loud But solemnly and as you'd say a prayer! This King, who treads our England under foot, Has just so much it may be fear or craft As bids him pause at each fresh outrage; friends, He needs some sterner hand to grasp his own, Some voice to ask, "Why shrink?-am I not by?" Now, one whom England loved for serving her, Found in his heart to say, "I know where best The iron heel shall bruise her, for she leans Upon me when you trample." Witness, you! So Wentworth heartened Charles, and England fell. But inasmuch as life is hard to take From England — Many Voices. Go on, Vane! 'Tis well said, Vane! Vane. Who has not so forgotten Runnymead! Voices. 'Tis well and bravely spoken, Vane! Go on! Vane. There are some little signs of late she knows The ground no place for her! She glances round, |