[The voice comes nearer and nearer; the singing ceases.
Cromwell.Bah! it is one of my four fools who sings—
Elespuru, I think.
Scene 2.—Cromwell, Trick, Giraff, Elespuru, Gramadoch.
[The Jesters, led by Gramadoch, enter cautiously, feeling their way.
Elespuru [humming.
In the moon's pale rays,
Dance the frolicsome fays
Of the air.
Giraff [to Elespuru, in an undertone.
Elespuru, in heaven's name, be still!
Art mad?
Gramadoch [to the others, pointing to a grassy bank, behind a hedge.
Here let us all conceal ourselves.
Cromwell [not seeing them.
Ay, 'tis my fool returning to the palace.
[The four Jesters lie down on the bank.
Gramadoch [in an undertone.
The plot doth centre now upon this spot.
From here we shall see all.
Trick [in an undertone.] Faith! we should have
A clerk's eye. See, quoth he! Upon my word,
In Satan's oven it is far less dark!
Elespuru [in an undertone.
Whoe'er the actors be, if they should find
Our charming faces here, they'd make us pay
Right roundly for our seats.
