And whereas some of
the company answered, it was their great fear, not their choice,
that made them do it, the Duke of York answered, that it was, it
maybe, their fear and wisdom that made them do it; but yet their
fear did not make them mistake, as we should have done, when we
have had no fear upon us, and have run our ships on ground. And
this brought it into my mind, that they managed their retreat
down this difficult passage, with all their fear, better than we
could do ourselves in the main sea, when the Duke of Albemarle
ran away from the Dutch, when the Prince was lost, and the Royal
Charles and the other great ships came on ground upon the
Galloper. Thus in all things, in wisdom, courage, force,
knowledge of our own streams, and success, the Dutch have the
best of us, and do end the war with victory on their side. One
thing extraordinary was this day: a man, a Quaker, came naked
through the Hall, only very civilly tied about the loins to avoid
scandal, and with a chafing-dish of fire and brimstone burning
upon his head, did pass through the Hall, crying "Repent!
repent!" Presently comes down the House of Commons, the King
having made a very short and no pleasing speech to them at all,
not at all giving them thanks for their readiness to come up to
town at this busy time; but told them that he did think he should
have had occasion for them, but had none, and therefore did
dismiss them to look after their own occasions till October; and
that he did wonder any should offer to bring in a suspicion that
he intended to rule by an army, or otherwise than by the laws of
the land, which he promised them he would do; and so bade them go
home and settle the minds of the country in that particular; and
only added, that; he had made a peace which be did believe they
would find reasonable, and a good peace, but did give them none
of the particulars thereof.
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