violence to their
sovereign, their scruples and apprehensions, though not sufficient
to overcome their resolutions, were able to retard the execution of
them.[*]

Sir Jacob Astley, whom the king had appointed major-general of his
intended army, told him, that he could not give him assurance but he
might be taken out of his bed, if the rebels should make a brisk attempt
to that purpose. All the king's attendants were full of well-grounded
apprehensions. Some of the lords having desired that a message might
be sent to the parliament with overtures to a treaty, Charles, who well
knew that an accommodation in his present condition meant nothing but a
total submission, hastily broke up the council lest this proposal should
be further insisted on. But next day the earl of Southampton, whom no
one could suspect of base or timid sentiments, having offered the
same advice in council it was hearkened to with more coolness and
deliberation. He urged, that though such a step would probably
increase the insolence of the parliament, this was so far from being an
objection, that such dispositions must necessarily turn to the advantage
of the royal cause: that if they refused to treat, which was more
probable, the very sound of peace was so popular, that nothing could
more disgust the nation than such haughty severity: that if they
admitted of a treaty, their proposals, considering their present
situation, would be so exorbitant, as to open the eyes of their most
partial adherents, and turn the general favor to the king's party: and
that, at worst, time might be gained by this expedient, and a delay of
the imminent danger with which the king was at present threatened.[**]

Charles, on assembling the council, had declared against all advances
towards an accommodation; and had said that, having now nothing left
him but his honor, this last possession he was resolved steadily to
preserve, and rather to perish than yield any further to the pretensions
of his enemies:[***] but, by the unanimous desire of the counsellors,
he was prevailed on to embrace Southampton's advice. That nobleman,
therefore, with Sir John Colepeper and Sir William Uvedale, was
despatched to London with offers of a treaty.[****]

* Clarendon, vol. iii. p. 18.

** Clarendon, vol. iii. p. 7.

*** Clarendon, vol. iii. p. 7.

**** Rush. vol. v. p. 784.

The manner in which they were received gave little hopes of success.
Southampton was not al