Lives of the last four princesses of the royal house of Stuart

191 THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH. [1648-9.
I say ; they will cut off my head, and perhaps make thee
a king. But mark what I say ; you must not be a king
as long as your brothers Charles and James live. There-
fore I charge you, do not be made a king by them.' At
which the child, sighing deeply, replied, ' I will be torn in
pieces first.' And these words, coming so unexpectedly
from so young a child, rejoiced my father exceedingly.
And his majesty spoke to him of the welfare of his soul,
and to keep his religion, commending him to God,
and He would provide for him. All which the young child
earnestly promised. His majesty also bid me send his
blessing to the rest of my brothers and sisters, with
commendations to all his friends."
He also bade Elizabeth " remember to tell her brother
James, that it was his father's last desire that he should
no longer look on Charles as his eldest brother, only, but
be obedient to him, as his sovereign. That they should
all love one another, and forgive their father's enemies,
but not trust them, because they had been false to him,
and he feared also to their own souls." He bade her
"read Bishop Andrew's 'Sermons,' Hooker's 'Eccle-
siastical Polity,' and Laud's book against Fisher, to
ground her against popery." Then he gave her his
pocket Bible, telling her, " it had been his constant com-
panion and greatest comfort through all his sorrows, and
he hoped it would be hers." Fervently he blessed and
embraced both his beloved children, till feeling his own
fortitude on the point of failing, he called in a broken
voice to Bishop Juxon, the only witness of this heart-
rending scene, " Have them taken away."
The children sobbed aloud. The King leaned his head
against the window, endeavouring to suppress or conceal
his tears, when, catching a view of them as they passed
through the door, he rushed from the window, snatched