88
CROMWELL
Plinlimmon (Members of Parliament), and other Puritans.
[They enter in procession, wrapped in cloaks.—All wear broad-brimmed hats, high boots, and long swords which raise the skirts of their cloaks.
Joyce [stopping Carr.]How now! Wouldst go when we have but arrived?
Carr.Enter not Nineveh! Joyce, thou art deceived.
Hence, from this spot accursèd! Harrison,
Barebones! these men are Cavaliers, not saints!—
Joyce [to Carr.] But, my old Carr, these Cavaliers
Are with us. We must needs their arms employ
In lack of others. They are our allies.
Carr.Death to the royal party! With the sons
Of Belial I make no alliance, none!
Joyce [to Overton.]As simple-minded as of old.
[To Carr.] Come, stay!
Carr [with a gloomy air of resignation.
Ay, to protect you from their blighting touch.
[The three Cavaliers have seated themselves at a table at the right of the stage. The Puritans, standing in a group at the left, talk together in undertones, and from time to time cast malevolent glances at the Cavaliers.—We are to imagine, throughout the following scenes, that there is so much space between the two groups that what is said in one is not necessarily overheard by the other. Carr alone seems to keep his eyes constantly on the Cavaliers; but he stands a little apart from the other Roundheads.
Ormond [to Davenant, in an undertone.
That poltroon Lambert is behind his time.
