-52 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

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CHAP. that the cavaliers were coming to burn the crity,lv. and that the king himself was at their head.i«»j. Next morning Charles sent to the mayor, andordered him to call a common-council imme-diately. About ten o’clock, he himself, attendedonly by three or sour lords , went to Guildhall.He told the common-council, that he was sorryto hear of the apprehensions entertained of him;that he was come to them without any guard,in order to show how much he relied on theiraffections; and that he had accused certain menof high-treason, against whom he would proceedin a legal way , and therefore presumed thatthey would not meet with protection in thecity. After many other gracious expressions, hetold one of the sheriffs , who of the two wasthought the least inclined to his service , that he■would dine with him. He departed the hallwithout receiving the applause, which he ex-pected. In palling through the streets, he heardthe cry, Privilege of parliament! privilege of parlia-ment J resounding from all quarters. One of thepopulace, more insolent than the rest, drew nighto his coach, and called out with a loud voice,To your tents , 0 Israel! the words employed bythe mutinous Israelites, when they abandonedRehoboam , their rash and ill-counselled so-vereign ”.

When the house of commons met, they affectedthe greatest dismay, and adjourning themselves

Rushworth, vol. v. p. 479. Clarendon, vol. ii. p. ;6i.