Note R — THE LAY OF THE MINSTREL'S HEART.
Reading edition
The reader will recall the well-known story of Cromwell opening the coffin of Charles with the hilt of a private soldier's sword, and, after gazing on the body for some time, observing calmly, that it seemed made for long life,—
"Had Nature been his executioner, He would have outlived me!"—Cromwell, a MS. tragedy.