Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/380

But Haman's gibbet, or Barabbas' cross.
Syndercomb.Death, death to Cromwell!
Willis [amid the crowd.] …romwell! Death!
Milton [starting at Willis's voice, to the Puritan conspirators.
Death, death to Cromwell! Speak lower, pray!
Willis.Death to th' usurper!
The Soldier. Death to th' usurper! Lower? what's the odds?
I'll go and cry: "Death!" at his very door!
Nahum [to the Soldier.
The Lord's decrees are utterèd aloud.
Thy mouth is pure.
The Soldier. Thy mouth is pure. Ay, as thou seest me,
Poor, like a lemon lost upon the strand,
Left naked by the tide of human fortune,
If I can see this child of Sirah slain,
Then shall I die consoled.
Overton [leading him aside and pointing to his dagger.
Then shall I die consoled. We will console,
My brother.

[The Soldier makes a gesture of surprise and delight, which Overton suppresses.

My brother. Hush!

[Enter a detachment of soldiers of Cromwell's regiment, in red uniforms, with breastplates; muskets and halberds over their shoulders.

My brother. Hush! The guard is to be posted;
We must not speak.
[The soldiers force the people back against the sides of the hall.
The Officer [in a loud voice.] Room for the Ironsides
Of England's lion.
[To some citizens whom he pushes back.
Of England's lion. Back! Away with you!
One of the Citizens [to another, in an undertone.