Page:Note of an English republican on the Muscovite crusade (IA noteofenglishrep00swiniala).pdf/14

---

republican camp of Europe that any word of protest should now or ever be expected against the heading of a forlorn hope, the preaching of a sacred war, the undertaking of a Quixotic enterprise. But even such an one may be permitted to enter his poor protest against the claims of a crusade which has Alexander of Russia for its Godfrey of Bouillon, and Thomas Carlyle for its Peter the Hermit. Even 'a rascally yea forsooth knave,' like the mercer who had the honour of supplying the sartorial needs of Sir John Falstaff, when that gallant gentleman would fain have been able to subscribe himself resartus, had apparently some right and some reason on his side in desiring that the knight 'should procure him better assurance than Bardolph.' I am of one mind in this matter with the worthy Master Dumbledon: I will not take the Czar's bond and his prophet's; I like not the security, Even the patronage of Mistress Tearsheet, I remember, was not ultimately sufficient of itself to vindicate the fair fame of Hostess Quickly's establishment from the suspicions and imputations of evil-minded men: and neither the prophet nor the Czar, to say the very least and speak with all due reverence, has in any matter of politics more than character enough for himself: it would be well indeed if both between them had enough or but half enough for one. What moves the second Godfrey to his chivalrous emprise we know; but would fain know likewise what it may be that now has touched the lips of our latter-day Peter as with a coal of fire from the altar. Some-