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disaster on Roundway, occurring so soon after it, was spoken of at 
the time as if it were a part or continuation of the battle of Lans- 
down. It was with Roundway defeat that Waller was afterwards 
taunted, the fight on Lansdown being considered a drawn one, 
producing only mutual prostration. The royalists acknowledged 
that Waller was discomfited rather than beaten.* Having certainly 
a great advantage in position, which he somewhat lost, he was 
under as great a disadvantage as to men. Strong enough in 
cavalry, having over forty troops, he was miserably weak in in- 
fantry ; and yet, had his rough raw country men made but one 
more effort, their victory would have been absolute. On the other 
hand, one more attack would have resulted equally in a victory for 
the royalists. The mere gain of the battle field, however, was of 
no military advantage to them as it was immediately resigned from 
necessity and weakness ; a weakness which increased daily, whilst 
Waller, by his retreat, was daily strengthened and able to fight 
again. It was thus that the Parliament party chose to consider 
and attribute their retreat as an intended disadvantage to their 
opponents, rather than forced upon themselves from necessity. 
By the pursuit to Devizes, however, the positions were exactly 
reversed ; as, shut in there, the driven royalists were comfortably 
protected, and as much nearer their base of supply as Waller was 
the farther from his. 
This victory destroyed the power of the Parliament in the 
West, and placed “the county of Somerset at the mercy of the 
king. His Majesty quickly issued a Declaration, pointing 
out how wonderfully God had manifested His care for him and 
his cause ; renewing his former promises to maintain the just 
privileges of the Parliament, and to govern by the known laws of 
the land ; and urging those who wished him well, vigorously to aid 
him with men, money, plate and horses, in a confident expectation 
that God’s favours would be continued.t 
Hooper Jacob. + His Majesty’s Declaration. 
