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Oliver Cromwell’s Speech on the Dissolution of the Long
Parliament given to the House of Commons 20 April
1653
It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this
place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled
by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all
good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau
sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for
a few pieces of money.
Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst
you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my
horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter’d your conscience for
bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of
the Commonwealth?
Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defil’d this sacred
place, and turn’d the Lord’s temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral
principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the
whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances
redress’d, are yourselves gone!
So! Take away that shining bauble
there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!
Anant M Vyas 