But the story of Severus was pretty, that he hanged up
forty senators before the Senate-house, and then made a speech
presently to the Senate in praise of his own lenity; and then
decreed that never any senator after that time should suffer in
the same manner without consent of the Senate: which he compared
to the proceeding of the Long Parliament against my Lord
Strafford. He said the greatest part of the lay magistrates in
England were Puritans, and would not do justice; and the Bishops'
powers were so taken away and lessened, that they could not
exercise the power they ought. He told the King and the ladies,
plainly speaking of death and of the skulls and bones of dead men
and women, how there is no difference; that nobody could tell
that of the great Marius or Alexander from a pyoneer; nor, for
all the pains the ladies take with their faces, he that should
look in a charnel-house could not distinguish which was
Cleopatra's, or fair Rosamond's, or Jane Shore's.
26th. Sir W. Batten told me how Sir Richard Temple hath spoke
very discontentful words in the house about the Triennial Bill;
but it hath been read the second time to-day, and committed; and,
he believes, will go on without more ado, though there are many
in the house are displeased at it, though they dare not say much.
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