Scene 4.—Cromwell, Milton.
Milton [aside.]I can no longer hold myself in check.
I must unbosom.
[He walks straight to Cromwell's side.
Cromwell, look at me!
Already, doubtless, flames dart from thy eyes,
And thou wilt ask how thus audaciously
I dare to speak without leave first obtained.—
For in thy Council mine is a strange rôle.
Among those wise men should one seek for me,
They'd say to him: "Those sweet-tongued orators
Are Warwick and Pierpoint ; and yonder mute
Is Milton."—You have Milton? To what end?
To play the mute—no other part has he.
Thus I, whose words the world some day will hear,
Alone in Cromwell's Council have no voice!
But to be blind and dumb—'tis too much now.
Thou 'rt lured to ruin, brother, with the bait
Of an ill-omened diadem, and I
Do plead with thee for thee, against thyself.
So, Cromwell, thou 'ldst be king, and in thy heart
Thou 'st said : "For me this people everywhere
Victorious are. The object of its strife,
Its prayers, its pious toils, and martial fame,
Of all its bloodshed and its bitter tears,
Of all its evils, is myself. I reign,
And that's enough. They should esteem themselves
Thrice blest that, after so much suffering,
They have changed kings and have renewed their chains."—
