How dare you lay your hands on the king's majesty's royal son ?" "He struck me first," grumbled the valiant little Noll; "and I've only given him his due." Sir Oliver and the guests lifted up their hands in astonishment and horror.

No punishment seemed severe enough for this wicked little varlet, who had dared to resent a blow from the king's own son.

Some of the courtiers were of opinion that Noll should be sent prisoner to the Tower of London and brought to trial for high treason.

Others, in their great zeal for the king's service, were about to lay hands on the boy and chastise him in the royal presence.
But King James, who sometimes showed a good deal of sagacity, ordered them to desist.
"Thou art a bold boy," said he, looking fixedly at little Noll; "and, if thou live to be a man, my son Charlie would do wisely to be friends with thee." "I never will!" cried the little prince, stamping his foot.
"Peace, Charlie, peace!" said the king; then addressing Sir Oliver and the attendants, "Harm not the urchin; for he has taught my son a good lesson, if Heaven do but give him grace to profit by it.

Hereafter, should he be tempted to tyrannize over the stubborn race of Englishmen, let him remember little Noll Cromwell and his own bloody nose." So the king finished his dinner and departed; and for many a long year the childish quarrel between Prince Charles and Noll Cromwell was forgotten.