Life of the Duke 57 



gence that there was some discontent between them, 

 and that they were resolved to divide themselves, and 

 so to raise the siege, without fighting: besides, My 

 Lord expected within two dayes, Collonel Cleavering, 

 with above three thousand men out of the north, 

 and two thousand drawn out of several garisons, 

 (who also came at the same time, though it was then 

 too late). But His Highness answered My Lord, that 

 he had a letter from His Majesty (then at Oxford) 

 with a positive and absolute command to fight the 

 enemy; which in obedience, and according to his 

 duty he was bound to perform. Whereupon My Lord 

 replied, that he was ready and wilHng for his part, 

 to obey His Highness in all things, no otherwise then 

 if His Majesty was there in person himself; and 

 though several of My Lord's friends advised him not 

 to engage in battel, because the command (as they 

 said) was taken from him: yet My Lord answered 

 them, that happen what would, he would not shun 

 to fight, for he had no other ambition but to live and 

 dye a loyal subject to His Majesty. 



Then the Prince and My Lord conferred with 

 several of their ofiicers, amongst whom there were 

 several disputes concerning the advantages which the 

 enemy had of sun, wind and ground. The horse of 

 His Majesties forces was drawn up in both wings upon 

 that fatal moor called Hessom-Moor; and My Lord 

 asked His Highness what service he would be pleased 

 to command him; who returned this answer. That 

 he would begin no action upon the enemy, till early 

 in the morning; desiring My Lord to repose himself 

 till then. Which My Lord did, and went to rest in his 

 own coach that was close by in the field, until the 

 time appointed. 



Not long had My Lord been there, but he heard a 



