Reeking with blood; who, aye on murder bent,
Aye praising God, preach sermons without end,
Then cheat at cards!
Carr [between his teeth.
The saints at cards! Thou liest,
Child of Herodias!
Richard. I thought, like them,
To launch a jeremiad at your heads.
But let us say no more of that.—My friends,
To prove to you how little fear I have
Of being compromised with you, how far
My prayers accord with yours, and how I love
The cause whereon all your desires are fixed,—
[He fills a glass and puts it to his lips.
I drink the health of Charles, our lawful King!
All the Conspirators [thunderstruck.
The King!
Richard [surprised.]We are alone. Why this dismay?
Carr [aside.]I had divined that Israel was deceived.
'Tis with the Stuarts that this serpent's lair
Doth most concern itself.—But we shall see.
Willis [aside.]'Tis Cromwell's son! But if he's of the plot,
He's most imprudent.
A Loud Voice Without.What, ho! the tavern open, in the name
Of Parliament!
[A movement of alarm among the conspirators.
Rochester [to Davenant.
Egad! we're fairly caught
Here in our cave, like Cacus!
