Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/141

Elizabeth. Your Highness. Cromwell, me! Pray pardon me.
In all my grandeur I forget myself,
I lose myself! my mind doth not accord
My borrowed titles and my real name,
My Lady Protectress and Mistress Cromwell.

[Exit with her daughters.—Cromwell motions to the two sentinels to withdraw.

Scene 5.—Cromwell, Thurloe.

[While Thurloe spreads his papers over the table, Cromwell seems deeply engrossed in distressful reverie. At last he breaks the silence with an effort.

Cromwell.I am not happy, Thurloe.
Thurloe. I am not happy, Thurloe. But those ladies
Adore your Highness—
Cromwell. Adore your Highness—Bah! five women! I
Would rather far, by absolute decrees,
Govern five towns, five earldoms, or five kingdoms!
Thurloe.What! you who England and all Europe rule!
Cromwell.A bourgeoise wed the master of the earth!
I am a slave, my friend!
Thurloe. I am a slave, my friend! My lord, you might—
Cromwell.Not so. The balance of my destiny
Is overthrown. Europe is in one scale,
My wife is in the other.
Thurloe. My wife is in the other. If, perchance,
I could exchange my place for yours, a woman—
Cromwell [sternly.]You're overbold to harbor such a thought!
Thurloe [abashed.]My lord, I say—
Cromwell. My lord, I say— 'Tis well! let's say no more!
What news have you?