Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/359

Ludlow.Of such a blow the glory is immense;
And I can well believe that each of us
Doth crave that glory for himself alone.
And I—if e'er my constant prayers besought
From Heav'n some signal witness of its favour,
The honour 'twas of striking Cromwell down
With my own hand. Would that my sons might say
Of their progenitor: "He overthrew
The power of the Stuarts and of Cromwell;
And twice did Ludlow slaughter tyranny!"—
But this same Ludlow, loyal citizen,
Doth place the welfare of his fellowmen
Before his own. Lambert holds highest rank
Among us. Bearer of the crown, he 'll be
Upon the platform and thereby best placed
To strike unerringly.
Lambert [alarmed, aside.] What doth he mean?
Ludlow.At such a moment, it most seemly is
That to the public welfare every man
Should sacrifice himself. So follow me.
Ludlow his claim abandons and entrusts
The honour of the blow to General Lambert.
Lambert [aside.]Who asks him so to do? He murders me!
'Tis my undoing!
Pride. 'Tis my undoing! Good! so let it be:
To Ludlow's reasoning I give assent.
Syndercomb.I sacrifice myself,
I sacrifice… [To Lambert.]And you shall strike.
Lambert [in a faltering voice.
My friends, this honour doth console me much
In my affliction—
In my aff… [Aside.]Direful quandary!
Wildman [to Lambert.
You will strike Cromwell down! how blest are you!