Another contracted Copy of the two foregoing Speeches.
Other Copies having contracted the substance of both these Speeches foregoing into one, supposed to be spoken at Westminster, at the Opening of the Parliament, it was thought fit to represent both Copies, leaving it to the Memory of such as were then present to decide which is the true.
MY Lords and Gentlemen, You are not ignorant that at your earnest entreaty, the twenty third of March sixteen hundred twenty three, My Father (of Happy Me∣mory) first took up arms for the recovery of the Palatinate; for which purpose, by your as∣sistance, He began to form a considerable Army, and to prepare a goodly Armado and Na∣vy Royal. But Death intervening between Him and the atchievement, the War, with the Crown, is devolved upon Me. To the prosecution whereof as I am obliged both in Nature and Honour; so I question not but, the same necessity continuing, you will cherish the Action with the like affection, and further it with a ready Contribution.
True it is, You furnished My Father with affectionate Supplies; but they held no sym∣metrie or proportion with the charge of so great an Enterprise: for those your Donatives are all disburst to a peny; and I am inforced to summon you hither, to tell you, that nei∣ther can the Army advance nor the Fleet set forth without farther Aid.
Consider, I pray you, the eyes of all Europe are defixt upon Me; to whom I shall ap∣pear ridiculous, as though I were unable to outgo Muster and Ostentation, if you now de∣sert Me. Consider, it is My first attempt; wherein if I sustain a foil, it will blemish all My future Honour.
If Mine cannot, let your own Reputation move you: Deliver and expedite Me fairly out of this War wherewith you have incumbred (let it never be said, whereinto you have betrayed) Me.
I desire therefore your speedy Supplie: Speedy I call it, for else it will prove no Supply. The Sun, you know, is entring into his declining point; so it will be soon too late to set forth, when it will be rather not too soon to return. Again, I must mind you of the Mor∣tality now regnant in this City, which should it (as so it may, and no breach of Priviledge neither) arrest any one Member of either House, it soon would put a period both to Consul∣tation and Session: so that your own Periclitation necessitates an early Resolution.
In summ, Three of the best Rhetoricians, Honour, Opportunity, and Safety, are all of a Plot, and plead, you see, for Expedition.
Perhaps it may be expected I should say something in way of account of My Religion, as also of the temper and tenor of My future Government: But as I hope I have not been guilty of any thing which may justly start the least question in either; so I desire you would repose in this assurance, that I will in neither vary from those Principles wherein I have been instituted at the feet of that eminent Gamaliel, My late Father.