"I am not suffered for to speak! Expect what justice other people will have!"
So, still incredulous, protesting, he was forced away, and the Court rose and went into the Painted Chamber.
Lord Digby made his way out of the crowd; he found a dun mist over London and rows of Cromwell's Ironsides keeping guard outside the Hall.
As the King passed out with his guards on his way to Sir Robert Cotton's, one of these men called out, "God bless you, sir!" and his officer struck him on the face.
"It is a severe punishment for a little offence," said Charles. He was now quite calm.
The mist deepened, blotting out the surging crowd, some of whom wept and some of whom were silent, but none of whom openly rejoiced.
CHAPTER X
EXIT THE KING
The Dutch Ambassador interceded for the King; the Queen and the Prince of Wales wrote, offering to accept any conditions Parliament might require if only the King might be spared; but the stern enthusiasts who had resolved to sacrifice the blood of the tyrant were not to be turned from their purpose now by any entreaty or threat whatever; the thing they were about to do was awful, incredible to the whole world, but they were not to be stopped now. The Scottish commissioners spoke for the King, too, but in vain; neither they nor the others got any answer.