[The Cavaliers, in manifest inquietude, gather about Lord Ormond.
Ormond. When one has ta'en the risk
In schemes like this, to falter 's to lose all.
We must go forward.
[He walks toward Cromwell again.
Cromwell [aside.]. 'Twould arouse distrust
To make their way too easy.
[To Lord Ormond.]Who goes there?
Ormond.Cologne!
Cromwell [aside.] Ah! how shall I them overreach?
Without the countersign how them ensnare?
Still silent!
Clifford [earnestly, in an undertone.
Then let's kill the sentinel!
Jenkins [to Clifford, in an undertone.
What! send a soul headlong before God's throne
Ere it has even time to say a prayer?
Clifford [to Jenkins, in an undertone.
What matters it?
Ormond [to Clifford, in an undertone.
But strike a man behind?
Clifford [to Ormond, in an undertone.
We must pass in, my lord. I grieve for him.
All [to Ormond, in undertones.
Yes, let us kill the man!
Jenkins [in an undertone.] All stained with sin,
Send him before his judge!
All [in undertones.] Yes, let him die!
Cromwell [aside.
What are they saying there?