Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/302

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290
CROMWELL

Cromwell. You rarely leave him? Never.
Murray. You rarely leave him? Never. You have been
In all his wars?
Cromwell. In all his wars? I have.
Murray. In all his wars? I have. What scores there be
Of sergeants whose deserts are less than yours!
Cromwell [aside.]A long stride that toward captivating me.
[Aloud.]Thou flatterer!
Murray. Thou flatterer! Not so. What! I, presume
To treat you with such insolence! In sooth,
Is he so great a captain?
Cromwell [aside.] … great a captain? Malapert!
Murray.Look you—with all his palaces, and guards,
And carriages of state, what is this Cromwell,
Concerning whom so much ado is made?
A soldier like yourself.
Cromwell. A soldier like yourself. No more than that.
Murray [aside.]Our cause is won!
Our cause… [Aloud.]He is no more than you.
Cromwell.'Tis true!
Murray.Then wherefore serve him on your knees?
Cromwell.I serve him not.
Murray [aside.] …him not. 'Tis well! his feet are caught
Already in my net.
Already in … [Aloud.]Why should not you,
As well as he, possess the place he holds?
Cromwell.In truth, the change would never be discovered.
Murray.'Twould not, indeed! a soldier for a soldier!
In heaven's name, how is it possible
This duty to perform, which me abhors?
For this so irksome trade, what is your pay?