The 55th post on the Journal of American Greatness originally published in April, 2016.

One of the most famous speeches in the history of the English language is unfortunately lost.  Yet many were present to hear it and later scribbled out notes to the best of their recollections.  We refer, of course, to Cromwell’s dismissal of the “Rump” of the Long Parliament, April 20^th, 1653.

Some of our favorite reconstructed lines include: “You are no Parliament.  I say you are no Parliament, and I will put an end to your sitting.”  And “You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately … Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!”

Here is a more fulsome version:

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!

Wonderfully evocative, no?

—Decius