Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/399

Garland [indignantly repelling him.
Great Heaven!
Syndercomb. Great Heaven! Why shout so loud?
Garland. Great Heaven! Why shout so loud? Strike when he prays?
Syndercomb.What should we do?
Garland. What should we do? Pray. Pray against him. Pray.
A truce to murd'rous rage! And let us leave
To God the choice 'twixt the two prayers.
[The Puritan conspirators bend their heads and pray.—A pause.
Cromwell [rising.] …choice 'twixt the two prayers. 'Tis well!

[The whole assemblage rises.—The Earl of Warwick walks forward toward the Protector with slow and measured steps, kneels on one knee, and presents the purple robe with ermine border.

Warwick [to Cromwell.]Deign to put on this purple robe, my lord.

[With Warwick's help, Cromwell puts on the robe.
Overton [to the Puritans, in an undertone.
My friends! my friends! he dons his winding-sheet!
Garland [in an undertone.
Observe him now! The scarlet progeny
Of prostituted Tyre.
Wildman [in an undertone.] O lightning, strike!

[Cromwell, in the purple robe, the train of which is borne by young Lord Roberts, richly dressed, walks gravely toward the throne. Lord Warwick precedes him, with sword uplifted. Lord Carlisle follows, the point of his sword toward the ground.

Syndercomb [aside.]A brilliant retinue borrowed from hell!
Purple and ermine, gilded noblemen,
And soldiers clad in steel; a throne beplumed,
Surmounted by a towering canopy,