The Copybook

Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.

307

© Ronald Saunders, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

The Dog and the Water Lilies William Cowper

William Cowper told Lady Hesketh about a walk beside the river at Olney, and the affecting behaviour of his spaniel Beau.

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308

By James Lonsdale (1777-1839), via the National Portrait Gallery and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: ? Public domain.

Desperate Measures Sir Philip Francis

Sir Philip Francis told the House of Commons that it must not let ministers manufacture crises as an excuse for grabbing more power.

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309

By Daderot, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

The Character of Charles II Gilbert Burnet

Scottish scholar and clergyman Gilbert Burnet sets before us a picture of a King who was something of a Solomon in his virtues and his vices.

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310

© Olga Burda, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Song of Angels, Joy of the Blest Cynewulf

Cynewulf encourages his listeners to remain committed to the Christian life, by reminding them of the reward that awaits them.

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311

Emily Beatrice Bland (1864-1951), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Heaven’s Harbour Cynewulf

The lives of men are like voyages across stormy seas, but we no longer have to sail them as if they were uncharted waters.

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312
‘You Are No Parliament!’ Edmund Ludlow

In April 1653, Oliver Cromwell learnt that Parliament was planning to prevent him from packing the Commons with yes-men.

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