Maitland Club > Works of Sir Thomas Urquhart

408
THE EPILOGUE.
That I whilst a prisoner was able to digest and write this Treatise, is
an effect meerly proceeding from the courtesie of my Lord General
Cromwel, by whose recommendation to the Councel of State my parole
being taken for my true imprisonment, I was by their favour enlarged to
the extent of the lines of London's communication ; for had I continued
as before, coopt up within walls, or yet been attended still by a guard, as
for a while I was, should the house of my confinement have never been
so pleasant, or my keepers a very paragon of discretion, and that the con-
versation of the best wits in the world, with affluence of all manner of
books, should have been allowed me for the diversion of my minde, yet
such an antipathie I have to any kinde of restraint wherein my self is not
entrusted, that notwithstanding these advantages, which to some spirits
would make a jayl seem more delicious then freedom without them, it
could not in that eclipse of liberty lie in my power to frame myself to the
couching of one sillable, or contriving of a fancie worthy the labour of
putting pen to paper, no more then a nightingale can warble it in a cage,
or linet in a dungeon.
Here must I not forget the obligation I owe to that most generous gen-
tleman Captain Gladmon, for speaking in my favour to my Lord General ;
which gallantry in him, upon so small acquaintance, shall afsuredly be
remembered by me with a stedfast resolution to embrace all the opportuni-
ties wherewith fortune shall present me, for performance of the best offices
I can in testimony of my thankfulnefs.
The kindly usage of the Marshal-General, Captain Alsop, whilst I was
in his custody, I am bound in duty so to acknowledge, that I may without
difsimulation avouch, for courtesies conferred on such as were within the