"In very deed," he replied, "your power and the power behind you is too high. How can we withstand it?"
"My power, such as it be," returned the soldier mildly, "cometh from God and the People. Be assured that if I use it for other than the glory of one and the good of the other it will pass from me. I say this because meseemeth you have fear of the army, poor souls; but I did not open this talk for any matter of argument with thee, but rather in a friendly spirit to discuss the present jars."
"You have discussed them to good purpose, sir," returned Whitelocke dryly. "I perceive that you look upon the Parliament and the Council of State with ill-will and mistrust."
"I think," replied Cromwell, still gazing at the pale cloud floating in the pale sky over Whitehall, "that we need a Governor over this England."
"Where is he to be found?" demanded Whitelocke.
"The Lord will bring such an one forward in His good leisure," said Cromwell.
Whitelocke liked this speech still less than those which had gone before it; he thought it meant that the Lord-General intended in truth to set himself against the Parliament.
"Who will be your Governor of England?" he asked.
"Who can resolve that question?" said Cromwell evasively.