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'Twould seem that he did make me what I am.
Murray.You look to be a worthy man, my friend;
But you pretend to know more than myself
Touching these matters.
Cromwell. Touching these matters. I am in the wrong.
Murray.I grew to manhood in the late King's court.
Cromwell [aside.]The idiot! he doth forget himself.
False to his rôle, the Cavalier so soon
Doth show his skin beneath the Puritan.
Murray.All courts, my friend, at bottom are the same.
You knew not that, I 'll wager?
Cromwell [aside.] … not that, I 'll wager? He is deep!
Murray.To this man Cromwell you devote your life?
Cromwell.Assuredly.
Murray. Assuredly. Well! shed your blood for him
To the last drop; he 'll pay less heed to it,
I promise you, than to the stream that flows
Beneath the bridge, be it or clear or foul!
Cromwell.Methinks that I am nearer to his heart.
Murray.How soft you are! What cares he, on his height,
Whether you be a dead or living man?
Cromwell.What knowest thou thereon?
Murray. What knowest thou thereon? Psha! is your life
In any wise linked with his fate? Wherein?
Cromwell [aside.]For thy undoing—more than thou dost dream!
Murray. And do you not expect a recompense?
Is it not time that he should it bestow?
For is it not a monstrous, crying shame,
You a mere private, when, as I dare swear,
You rarely leave him?