Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/114

door. The conspirators pause. A silence of surprise and alarm. The knocking is repeated.

Ormond [walking toward the door.
Who's there?
Lambert [aside.] Who… The deuce!
A Voice [without.] Who's there… A friend.
Ormond. Who's … A friend. What wouldst thou have?
The Voice.By heaven! A friend, I tell you! Let me in!
Ormond.Thy name?
The Voice. Thy name? Is Richard Cromwell.
All the Conspirators. Thy name? Is Richard Cromwell. Richard Cromwell!
Ormond.The son of the Protector!
Lambert. The son of the Protector! The whole plot
Is known.
Rosebery. We needs must open.
[He opens the door.—Enter Richard Cromwell.

Scene 10.—The Same; Richard Cromwell, in the costume of a Cavalier.

[Upon Richard's appearance the Puritans wrap themselves in their cloaks, and pull down the brims of their hats.

Richard Cromwell. We needs must open. By my soul!
Saw over one so tightly barred a lair?
Nay, ne'er was stronghold held beneath such guard!
But for your friendly voices, Rosebery
And Clifford, which above the uproar rose
Of cups and tables, your poor Richard would
Have turned away.
[He salutes the conspirators.
Have turned away. Good even, gentlemen!
Whose was the health you drank? Permit me, pray,