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after my King. Compelled to forego that honour, I send the person most closely bound to me by ties of blood, to express to your Highness all my veneration for your person, and my firm determination to maintain an everlasting friendship between yourself and the King my master.

"I presume to declare myself most earnestly

"Your Highness's most obedient and most humble servant,

"Giulio Mazarini,
"Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church."

[Mancini, after a profound reverence, once more hands the letter to Cromwell, who passes it to Stoupe.—At a sign from the Duc de Créqui, the pages in the royal livery place on Cromwell's table the cushion bearing the gold-hilted sword; and, at Mancini's bidding, the pages in Mazarin's livery unroll beneath the Protector's feet a rich Gobelins carpet.

Cromwell [to the Duke and Mancini.
For these rich presents upon us bestowed,
Be pleased, fair sirs, to thank his Eminence.
To France a sister aye will England be.
[To Whitelocke, in an undertone.
This priest, who fawns on me and bends his knee,
Calls me, "Great man" aloud, and 'neath his breath,
"The Lucky fool"!
[He turns abruptly to the Vaudois envoys.
"The Lucky fool"! And you—what is your will?
One of the Envoys.Our hearts with sorrow overfull, we come
To ask your Highness' succour.
Cromwell. To ask your Highness' succour. Who are you?
The Envoy.Envoys commissioned by the Canton Vaud.