330
CROMWELL
Scene 1.—Workmen.
The Master Workman [urging on with gestures the men who are adjusting the canopy.
The work goes on. This daïs is wide enough.
[To another workman who stands near by, Bible in hand.
Enlighten us, my brother. Read.
The Workman [reading.]"And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar, and covered the floor of the house with planks of fir."
The Master Workman [to the others.
Come, brethren, let us feed ourselves upon
This bread celestial.
The Reader."And within the oracle he made two cherubim of olive tree, each ten cubits high. And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree; the lintel and the side-posts were a fifth part of the wall. So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall."
A Workman [casting a glance at the preparations.
Our hands to-night have been full well employed.
King Solomon, with purpose to hand down
To future ages monuments more lasting,
Spent on his temple seven years in all,
And fifteen on his palace. We have ta'en
But one short hour for all these preparations.
The Master Workman.
True, Enoch.
[To the workmen placing the canopy.
This the better ladder is.
[To Enoch.
Can we make too much haste—
