Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/214

Rules Denmark by an immemorial right.
Cromwell [biting his lips, aside.
I comprehend: he would insult me! Ah!
Why may not my just wrath him overwhelm?
[Roughly, to the jesters.
Come, laugh, I say!
The Jesters. Come, laugh, I say! Ha! ha! ha! ha!
Cromwell [aside.] …gh, I say! Ha! ha! ha! ha! Meseems
Their laughter is sardonic.
[Aloud and angrily.] … sardonic. Hold your peace!
[The Jesters are silent. Cromwell continues bitterly.]'Tis Milton, the Satanic versifier,
Who with his visions, doth confuse our wits.
[Milton turns proudly toward Cromwell.
[Aside.]I must restrain myself.
[Aloud.] What were we saying?
Trick, bid them bring us beer and pipes.
Trick. Trick, bid them bring us beer and pipes. Aha!
My lord would smoke.

[He goes out and returns in a moment, followed by two footmen bearing a table laden with pipes and jugs.

Cromwell. My lord would smoke. I wish to be amused,
I would be gay!—
[Aside.]Betrayed by my own son!

[A pause.—Cromwell seems given over to painful thoughts. The others stand silently, with downcast eyes. Only Rochester and the Jesters watch the Protector's frowning face. Suddenly, as if he remarked the embarrassed demeanour of his followers, Cromwell comes out of his reverie and addresses the Jesters.

Have you made any verses since I writ
Those in response to Colonel Lilburne's sonnet?
Trick.Nay, Hippocrene doth give us of her fount