He formally
solicits
the assent of his
constituents to this step, urges the precedents for
it, and assures them that during his watchful col-
league's attendance, his own services may be
easily dispensed with.
constituents to this step, urges the precedents for
it, and assures them that during his watchful col-
league's attendance, his own services may be
easily dispensed with.
Marvell - Poems
t Ibid.
p.
210.
X Ibid. p. 276. § Ibid. pp. 14, 16.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
XX NOTICE OF THE AUTHOR.
absence for an unknown period — probably about
two years — ^in Holland. He showed little dis-
position to return till Lord Bellasis, then high
steward of Hull, proposed to that worthy cor-
poration to choose a substitute for their absent
member. They replied that he was not far off,
and would be ready at their summons. He was
then at Frankfort, and at the solicitation of his
constituents immediately returned, April, 1663.
But he had not been more than three months
at home, when he intimates to his correspondents
his intention to accept an invitation to accompany
Lord Carlisle, who had been appointed ambas-
sador-extraordinary to Russia, Sweden, and Den-
mark.
He formally solicits the assent of his
constituents to this step, urges the precedents for
it, and assures them that during his watchful col-
league's attendance, his own services may be
easily dispensed with. His constituents con-
sented ; he sailed in July, and appears to have
been absent rather more than a year. We find
him in his place in the Parliament that assembled
at Oxford, 1665.
In 1671, for some unknown reason, there is
another hicUtis in his correspondence. It ex-
tends over three year&. From 1674, the letters
are regularly continued till his death. There is
no proof that he ever spoke in Parliament ; but
it appears that he made copious notes of all the
debates.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
NOTICE OF THE AUTHOR. XXI
The strong views which Marvell took on public
affairs — the severe, satirical things which he had
said and written from time to time — and the con-
viction of his enemies, that it was impossible to
silence him by the usual methods of a place or a
bribe, must have rendered a wary and circum-
spect conduct very necessary. In fact, we are
informed that on more than one occasion he was
menaced with assassination. But, though hated
by the court party generally, he was as generally
feared, and in sonie few instances respected.
Prince Rupert continued to honour him with his
friendship long after the rest of his party had
honoured him by their hatred, and occasionally
visited the patriot at his lodgings. When he
voted on the side of Marvell, which was not in-
frequently the case, it used to be said that ** he
had been with his tutor. "
Inaccessible as Marvell was to flattery and
offers of preferment, it certainly was not for want
of temptations. The account of his memorable
interview with the Lord Treasurer Danby has
been often repeated, and yet it would be unpar-
donable to omit it here. Marvell, it appears, once
spent an evening at court, and fairly charmed
the merry monarch by his accomplishments and
wit At this we need not wonder : Charles loved
wit above all things — except sensual pleasure.
X Ibid. p. 276. § Ibid. pp. 14, 16.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
XX NOTICE OF THE AUTHOR.
absence for an unknown period — probably about
two years — ^in Holland. He showed little dis-
position to return till Lord Bellasis, then high
steward of Hull, proposed to that worthy cor-
poration to choose a substitute for their absent
member. They replied that he was not far off,
and would be ready at their summons. He was
then at Frankfort, and at the solicitation of his
constituents immediately returned, April, 1663.
But he had not been more than three months
at home, when he intimates to his correspondents
his intention to accept an invitation to accompany
Lord Carlisle, who had been appointed ambas-
sador-extraordinary to Russia, Sweden, and Den-
mark.
He formally solicits the assent of his
constituents to this step, urges the precedents for
it, and assures them that during his watchful col-
league's attendance, his own services may be
easily dispensed with. His constituents con-
sented ; he sailed in July, and appears to have
been absent rather more than a year. We find
him in his place in the Parliament that assembled
at Oxford, 1665.
In 1671, for some unknown reason, there is
another hicUtis in his correspondence. It ex-
tends over three year&. From 1674, the letters
are regularly continued till his death. There is
no proof that he ever spoke in Parliament ; but
it appears that he made copious notes of all the
debates.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
NOTICE OF THE AUTHOR. XXI
The strong views which Marvell took on public
affairs — the severe, satirical things which he had
said and written from time to time — and the con-
viction of his enemies, that it was impossible to
silence him by the usual methods of a place or a
bribe, must have rendered a wary and circum-
spect conduct very necessary. In fact, we are
informed that on more than one occasion he was
menaced with assassination. But, though hated
by the court party generally, he was as generally
feared, and in sonie few instances respected.
Prince Rupert continued to honour him with his
friendship long after the rest of his party had
honoured him by their hatred, and occasionally
visited the patriot at his lodgings. When he
voted on the side of Marvell, which was not in-
frequently the case, it used to be said that ** he
had been with his tutor. "
Inaccessible as Marvell was to flattery and
offers of preferment, it certainly was not for want
of temptations. The account of his memorable
interview with the Lord Treasurer Danby has
been often repeated, and yet it would be unpar-
donable to omit it here. Marvell, it appears, once
spent an evening at court, and fairly charmed
the merry monarch by his accomplishments and
wit At this we need not wonder : Charles loved
wit above all things — except sensual pleasure.
