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Cromwell.How many unknown ills a crime reveals!
How many times, to give thee back thy life,
I would have given all my blood, O Charles!
Rochester.He speaks too loud. I' faith, he'll be surprised,
And that were pity! I full homage do
To his fair sentiments beneath my breath,
But to express them openly the place
Is but ill-chosen. I will frighten him.
[He leaves his hiding-place and suddenly walks toward Cromwell.
My friend, what do you here?
Cromwell [surprised, eyeing him from head to foot.
My friend, what do you here? What says the knave?
Rochester.I speak to you.
I…you. [Aside.] What said he? Was it knave?
I must, then, bear the aspect of a saint.
So much the better! Let me play my part.
[Aloud, and with a knowing air.
My good man, know you where you are?
Cromwell. My good man, know you where you are? And thou,
Know'st thou to whom thou speakest?
Rochester. Know'st thou to whom thou speakest? By my faith!—
[Aside.]God's death! I must not swear!
[Aloud.] God's …must not swear! I know to whom
I speak.
Cromwell [aside.] Can he a paid assassin be,
In Charles's service?
[He draws a pistol from his breast and points it at Rochester.
In … service? [Aloud.]Varlet, come not near!
Rochester [aside.] The devil! prudence. These conspirators
Are armed, all, to the teeth! In Cromwell's cause
I must not with a comrade measure swords.