Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/171

Cromwell. Esteemed him over-bold. Ungrateful son!
When even to the throne I do upraise
His destiny!—Repeat to me once more
The Puritans, their names.
Willis. The Puritans, their names There's Lambert, first.
Cromwell [with a disdainful laugh.
Lambert! 'tis that that most doth anger me,
That such a daring plot should give itself
So cowardly a leader! Even less
To genius than to chance is empire due.
What a Vitellius for emperor!
The common herd, with its irrev'rent hands
Doth ever cast a blot on great ideas.
Rome for its standard had a truss of hay.
[To Willis.]Continue.
Willis. Continue. Ludlow,
Cromwell. Continue. Ludlow, There's a worthy man,
Who'll not go far. Brute, and not Brutus, he.
Willis.Then Syndercomb—Barebones—
[As Willis speaks Cromwell follows him on a list that he holds in his hand.
Cromwell. Then Syndercomb—Barebones—If memory
Serves me aright, my own upholsterer.—
The fool!
Willis.And Joyce—
Cromwell. And Joyce—A clown!
Willis. And Joyce—A clown! And Overton.
Cromwell.A bel esprit!
Willis. A bel esprit! And Harrison.
Cromwell. A bel esprit! And Harrison. A thief!
Willis.Wildman.
Cromwell. Wildman. A crack-brained idiot, once caught
Dictating to his valet sounding words
'Gainst me.—But this is arrant comedy!
Willis.One Carr.