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Of this community; but hearken, brethren:—
In due compliance with the sacred texts,
You seek to poniard Cromwell. But, I pray,
Is it within the law? Remember Malchus,
Whose ear lopped off was cause that Peter's sword
Was by our Lord accurst. And are we not
Forbidden, in the Lord Almighty's name,
To smite with the keen blade, and blood to shed?
If aught of doubt hereon your minds retain,
Open to chapter nine of Genesis,
And thirty-five of Numbers.
[An outburst of surprise and indignation among the Roundheads.
Joyce. And thirty-five of Numbers. Who speaks thus?
Ludlow.I pray you, Barebones, what has cooled your zeal?
Garland.You wish to spare the Antichrist?
Barebones [stammering.] …are the Antichrist? Nay, nay,—
I say not that—
Syndercomb. I say not that—Are you a faithless brother?
Harrison.Are we brigands, for condemnation fit—
Assassins?
Overton. Assassins? Killing 's not assassination.
Before the altar whereupon there glows
A purified white flame, the unclean goat
Becomes a consecrated sacrifice,
The butcher is transformed to sacrificer.
By Samuel was Agag slain, by us
The Lord Protector. We are ministers
Of the Most High and of this English people.
Joyce [to Barebones.]From your dark glance no good did I forebode.—
You would save Cromwell. That's the whole of it!
Barebones.Great Heaven! Barebones shelter Attila!