ACT FIFTH. THE WORKMEN
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ACT FIFTH. THE WORKMEN.
The Great Hall at Westminster.—At the left, toward the rear, the great doorway of the hall, seen at an angle.—At the rear, semi-circular steps rising to a considerable height.—Rich hangings of tapestry fill the spaces between the Gothic pillars all about the hall, so that only the capitals and cornices can be seen.—At the right a frame-work covered with boards, outlining the steps leading to the platform of a throne. Several workmen are at work upon it when the curtain rises: some are nailing the planks of the steps, while others cover them with a rich carpet of scarlet velvet with gold fringes, or place above the platform a canopy of the same stuff and the same colour, on the under side of which are the Protector's arms embroidered in gold.—Divers carpenters' and upholsterers' tools are lying about on the floor, and ladders standing against the pillars indicate that the work of putting the hangings in place is just finished.—Opposite the throne, a pulpit.—All around the hall are galleries and balustrades, richly draped.—It is three o'clock in the morning; day is beginning to break, and through the windows and partly open door the dawn casts horizontal rays which dim the light of several copper lamps with five burners, placed or hung at various points for the nocturnal labours of the workmen.
