Scene 5.—Cromwell, Manasseh.
Manasseh [not seeing Cromwell.
Cromwell and Charles the Second, Puritans
And Cavaliers,—they're Christians, all of them!
God! 'tis that horrid Jew! Why comes he here?
And from what tomb?
Manasseh [still not seeing Cromwell, who listens.
Of the two rival parties,
What matters it to me which gains the day?
In either case good Christian blood will flow
In rivers; so at least I dare to hope.
That is the merit of conspiracies.
Whether Lord Ormond Oliver doth kill
Or Oliver doth foil him, on this spot
The destinies of both will be fulfilled.
I fain would witness it. All things, meseems,
Do threaten Cromwell—
Cromwell [aside.] Traitor!
Manasseh [raising his eyes toward the sky.] Ay, all things
Except the stars in heaven. His end draws nigh,
'Twould seem; but none the less his star shines on
Still pure and bright; and vainly do I con
The lines that cross his hand: I see therein
No danger to be feared—save for to-morrow.
Cromwell.To-morrow! What says he? Now, by my faith,
These damned astrologers are charlatans.
E'en in their monologues!
Manasseh. What matters it?
Ormond or Cromwell—one must be undone.
