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Beneath our roof? Your coming doth alarm me.
Davenant [laughing.
Beneath our roof!—You speak with confidence!
My lord is speedily acclimated
In hell. But have no fear. 'Tis Cromwell's wont
To summon me whenever I return
From travelling. How do you stand with him?
Rochester.Indifferent well. As Milton's protégé
Cromwell is well disposed, and in his way
Heaps favours manifold upon my head.
[Aside.]Indeed, I could have done without the last.
[Aloud.]However, in the nick of time I came.
A traitor in our ranks, an unknown spy,
Had told him all; but, thanks to my address,
Ormond's in hiding in the Strand, and I
In Cromwell's very house.
Davenant. In Cromwell's very house. The dastard spy!
Willis would have him flayed alive! 'Tis he
Whom we have charged to hunt the villain down.
Rochester.By fortune's aid we have the countermine
In readiness.
[Pointing to his waistcoat.
In readiness. I have the phial here.
To-night 'twill all be done.
Davenant. To-night 'twill all be done. Knows Cromwell nought
Of this bold scheme?
Rochester. Of this bold scheme? Not he. We were but three
When we devised it.
Davenant. When we devised it. Is the guard suborned?
Rochester. Ay.
Davenant. Ay. 'Twas no easy task.
Rochester. Ay. 'Twas no easy task. The Roundhead spirit
Is dying fast, and gold makes docile saints.