Cromwell spoke

[NickFitz]

It is indeed a sad indictment of the state of the Nation that one should have to thank some blogger for that, when one should have already known it from O Level (or GCSE) History, or at least from General Knowledge

FWIW, another quotation from Oliver Cromwell: "I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken."

Oh, and another of Ollie's merry quips: "Do not trust the cheering, for those persons would shout as much if you or I were going to be hanged."

I do not direct these quotations at any person in particular (and certainly not at the OP, who does us all a service by drawing one of Ollie's more trenchant comments to our attention, although the context in which it was uttered is also important). I just think they are a useful reminder of some things that many people, both in TRW and on CUK, lose sight of.

[Doggy Styles]

They named a road after him for that.

[BrilloPad]

But that was 1653. Things are so much better now......

[HairyArsedBloke]

Thanks to the blogger Old Holborn for this.


Cromwell to the House of Commons 20 April 1653:

It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.

Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you?

Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter’d your conscience for bribes?

Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?

Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defil’d this sacred place, and turn’d the Lord’s temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress’d, are yourselves gone!

So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!