Rafael Sabatini

“ A mercenary serves governments in esse; the service of governments in posse is for enthusiasts; and I have had no enthusiasms these ten years and more. Establish your government, and my sword is for your hire, and gladly. ”

“ But why so bitter about England in particular?"
Tucker shrugged. "You know my sentiments, what they always were. I am no trimmer. I sail a steady course."
Holles regarded him searchingly. He could not misunderstand the man's words, still less his tone.
"Is that not . . . Is it not a dangerous course?" he asked. Tucker looked at him with wistful amusement.
"There are considerations an honest man should set above danger."
"Oh, agreed."
"There is no honesty save in steadfastness, Randal, and I am, I hope, an honest man." ”

“ They shall be flung on the foul dunghill where they belong, and a commonwealth shall be restored to rule this England in a sane and cleanly fashion, so that honest men may be proud to serve her once again."
"My God, Ned, you're surely mad!" Holles was aghast as much at the confidence itself as at the manner of it.
"To risk myself, you mean?" Tucker smiled grimly. "These vampires have torn the bowels out of better men in the same cause, and if we fail, they may have mine and welcome. But we do not fail. Our plans are shrewdly laid and already well advanced. ”

“ Our agents are everywhere abroad, moulding the people's mind, directing it into a sane channel. Heaven itself has come to our help by sending us this pestilence to strike terror into men's hearts and make them ask themselves how much the vices by which the rulers defile this land may not have provoked this visitation. That preacher you heard upon the steps of Paul's is one of our agents, doing the good work, casting the seed in fertile places. ”

“ He paused, and considered his stricken friend with an eye in which glowed something of the light of fanaticism.
"Your sword is idle and you seek employment for it, Randal. Here is a service you may take with honour. It is the service of the old Commonwealth to which in the old days you were stanch, a service aiming at these enemies who would still deny such men as you a place in England. You strike not only for yourself, but for some thousands in like case. ”

“ Usually misfortune schools a man in worldly wisdom. But you . . ." Tucker smiled between contempt and sadness, leaving the phrase unfinished.
"I have told you that he will help me; that he has promised."
"And you build upon his promises? Promises! They cost nothing. They are the bribes with which a trimmer puts off the importunate. Monk saw your need, as I see it. You carry the marks of it plainly upon you, in every seam of your threadbare coat. Forgive the allusion, Randal!" He set a conciliatory hand upon his friend's arm, for the Colonel had reddened resentfully at the words. ”

“ It was now three days since his visit to the Cockpit, and although he could not reasonably have expected news from Albemarle within so short a time, yet the lack of it was fretting him.
He was moving along the skirts of the crowd that had collected before the preacher, with no intention of pausing, when suddenly a phrase arrested him.
"Repent, I say, while it is time! For behold the wrath of the Lord is upon you. The scourge of pestilence is raised to smite you down." ”

“ I never knew a trimmer to be any man's friend but his own. And if ever a trimmer lived, his name is George Monk—the very prince of trimmers, as his whole life shows. First a King's man; then something betwixt and between King and Parliament; then a Parliament man, selling his friends of the King's side. And lastly a King's man again, in opposition to his late trusting friends of the Parliament. Always choosing the side that is uppermost or that can outbid the other for his services. ”

“ But do not ask me to set my head upon the board in this gamble to establish it; for my head is my only remaining possession."
"If you will not strike a blow for love, will you not strike one for hate: against the Stuart, whose vindictiveness will not allow you to earn your bread?" ”

“ Remember, then, that we need skilled soldiers as leaders for our movement, and that an assured welcome awaits you. Remember, too—this for the mercenary you represent yourself—that the leaders now will be the leaders still when the task is accomplished, and that theirs will be the abiding rewards. ”

“ Baron of this, Earl of that, Duke of Albemarle, Commander-in-Chief, Master of the Horse, Gentleman of the Bedchamber, and God knows what else. Oh, he has grown fat on trimming."
"You do him wrong, Ned." Holles was mildly indignant.
"That is impossible."
"But you do. You forget that a man may change sides from conviction."
"Especially when it is to his own profit," sneered Tucker. ”