CHARGE AGAINST MR. OLIVER ST. JOHN. 1 39 



speaketh of ft Calamosque armare veneno.&quot; A ve 

 nomous dart that hath both iron and poison. 



To open to your lordships the true state of this 

 offence, I will set before you, first, the occasion 

 whereupon Mr. I. S. wrought : then the offence 

 itself in his own words : and lastly, the points of his 

 charge. 



My lords, you may remember that there was the 

 last parliament an expectation to have had the king 

 supplied with treasure, although the event failed. 

 Herein it is not fit for me to give opinion of an 

 house of parliament, but I will give testimony of 

 truth in all places. I served in the lower house, and 

 I observed somewhat. This I do affirm, that I never 

 could perceive but that there was in that house a 

 general disposition to give, and to give largely. 

 The clocks in the house perchance might differ ; 

 some went too fast, some went too slow ; but the 

 disposition to give was general : so I think I may 

 truly say, &quot; solo tempore lapsus amor.&quot; 



This accident happening thus beside expectation, 

 it stirred up and awaked in divers of his majesty s 

 worthy servants and subjects of the clergy, the 

 nobility, the court, and others here near at hand, an 

 affection loving and cheerful, to present the king 

 some with plate, some with money, as free-will 

 offerings, a thing that God Almighty loves, a cheerful 

 giver : what an evil eye doth I know not. And, my 

 lords, let me speak it plainly unto you : God forbid 

 any body should be so wretched as to think that 

 the obligation of love and duty, from the subject to 



