The members, swept into silence by the suddenness and violence of his speech, made no reply; all eyes were fixed on him as he stood on the floor of the House, his face flushed and his eyes fiery under the lowering brows.
"What do ye care for but power?" he flung at them, and his voice rang into the farthest corners of the Hall. "What do you care for but to perpetuate that power? As for that Act"—he pointed to where it lay ready to be passed—"you have been forced to it, and I dare affirm that you never designed to observe it! I say your time has come; the Lord hath done with you—He has chosen more worthy instruments for the carrying on of His work—I say He will have no more paltering and fumbling with traps and toys of the ungodly!"
Here Sir Peter Wentworth got to his feet amid a hum of approbation.
"This is the first time," he declared, red in the face, "that ever I heard such unbecoming language in Parliament—and it is the more horrid as it comes from the servant of the Parliament, and a servant whom Parliament hath so highly trusted—yea, and so highly obliged," he added, with meaning.
But he could get out no more. Cromwell stepped into the midst of the House and waved his hand contemptuously.
"Come, come!" he cried. "I will put an end to your prating!"
Then, stamping his feet and clapping on his hat as he saw several rise in a tumult to answer him, he said in a loud, stern voice, "You are no Parliament—I say you are no Parliament! I will put an end to your sitting!"
Then, while several tried to speak together and there was a confusion, the Lord-General bade the serjeant attending the House open the doors, which he did.
"Call them in," said Cromwell; "call them in." And Lieutenant-Colonel Wolseley, with two files of muskets, entered the House and marched up the floor.
Then Sir Harry Vane, seeing the soldiers, stood up in his place and protested loudly—