This dialogue ensued:--
KING.--Mr. Joyce, I desire to ask you, what authority you have to take
charge of my person and convey me away?
JOYCE.--I am sent by authority of the army, to prevent the design of their
enemies, who seek to involve the kingdom a second time in blood.
KING.--That is no lawful authority. I know of none in England but my own,
and, after mine, that of the parliament. Have you any written commission
from Sir Thomas Fairfax?
JOYCE.--I have the authority of the army, and the general is included in
the army.
KING.--That is no answer. The general is the head of the army. Have you any
written commission?
JOYCE.--I beseech your majesty to ask me no more questions. There is my
commission, pointing to the troopers behind him.
KING, with a smile--I never before read such a commission; but it is
written in characters fair and legible enough; a company of as handsome
proper gentlemen as I have seen a long while. But to remove me hence,
you must use absolute force, unless you give me satisfaction as to these
reasonable and just demands which I make: that I may be used with honour
and respect, and that I may not be forced in any thing against my
conscience or honour, though I hope that my resolution is so fixed that no
force can cause me to do a base thing.
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