"The Protector," says Whitlocke, "often advised about this and other great businesses with the Lord Broghill, Pierrepoint, myself, Sir Charles Wolseley and Thurloe, and would be shut up three or four hours together in private discourse, and none were admitted to come in to him.

He would sometimes be very cheerful with us, and, laying aside his greatness, he would be exceeding familiar with us, and by way of diversion would make verses with us, and every one must try his fancy.

He commonly called for tobacco, pipes, and a candle, and would now and then take tobacco himself: then he would fall again to his serious and great business." At length, on Friday, May 8, the Parliament, assembled once more in the Banqueting House, did receive their positive answer.

It was in a brief speech (Speech _XIV._) ending "I cannot undertake this Government with the title of King; and that is mine Answer to this great and weighty business."[1] [Footnote 1: Carlyle, III.

280-301 (with Speeches X .-- XIV.); Commons Journals of dates; Whitlocke, IV.