Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/80

But the sentry with a frown
From his lofty tower looked down,
And thus to the page made answer:
"Fair page, I trust you not;
Why wake before the dawn, sir?
'Tis rather for war, I wot,
Than to put your heart in pawn, sir."

[The knocking is repeated, louder.
Ormond [rising to open the door.
Who sings thus? 'Tis some fool—or Rochester.
[He opens the door and looks into the street.
Himself!—and faith, he's scribbling on his knee!
[Enter Lord Rochester gaily, with a pencil and paper in his hand.

Scene 3.—Lord Ormond; Lord Rochester, in a very elegant cavalier costume, laden with ribbons and jewels, beneath a puritan cloak of gray cloth; high-crowned roundhead hat. His black headgear only half conceals his fair hair, one curl of which protrudes from behind the ears, according to the fashion among the young Cavaliers of that day.

Rochester [with a slight salutation.
Pardon, my lord, I did but write my song.
Ah! I must tell you—
[He begins to write on his knee.
Ah! I must tell you— God protect your Grace!—
One scarce can see.—Do you await our friends?—
What think you of the air?
[He sings.
A soldier, stern-faced wight,
A page detains one night—