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To count out honest crowns to yonder bigot
Whom we so readily could recompense
With a good dagger-thrust!
Ormond [handing the purse to Murray.
With a good dagger-thrust! Sir William Murray,
Pray undertake the bargain to conclude.
Better than we you know these Saints, their ways.
Murray [taking the purse.
Fear nought.
Cromwell [as Murray walks toward him, aside.
Fear nought. Ah! they have held a council. 'Sdeath!
Was ever mortal man in such a plight,
For a mere nothing—for a single word!
They would go in, and I would let them in.
An understanding we should quickly reach.
Murray [aside.]I needs must manage shrewdly.
Cromwell [to Murray, as he approaches.
I needs must manage shrewdly. Who goes there?
Murray.A saint.
Cromwell [aside.] The hypocrite!
Murray. A saint. The hypocrite! Blest be the steel
That girds your waist!
Cromwell [aside.] …ds your waist! To be by Royalists
Thus blest is sweet indeed!
Murray [aside.] …st is sweet indeed! To these evangelists
One needs must speak in their own chosen tongue.
[Aloud.]Brother, upon her tower Zion had
Archers on guard, who to each other called
By night and day. You do resemble them.
Cromwell.Much thanks.
Murray. Much thanks. The night is cool.
Cromwell. Much thanks. The night is cool. 'Tis even so.
Murray.The bird sleeps in its nest, and in their stalls
The cattle; all things sleep, save you alone.