Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/297

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ACT FOURTH. THE SENTINEL
285

[The Cavaliers, in manifest inquietude, gather about Lord Ormond.
Ormond. And changed the guard? When one has ta'en the risk
In schemes like this, to falter 's to lose all.
We must go forward.
[He walks toward Cromwell again.
Cromwell [aside.]. … forward. 'Twould arouse distrust
To make their way too easy.
To make th… [To Lord Ormond.]Who goes there?
Ormond.Cologne!
Cromwell [aside.] Ah! how shall I them overreach?
Without the countersign how them ensnare?

Ormond [to the Cavaliers who have withdrawn to a corner of the stage at the right.

Still silent!
Clifford [earnestly, in an undertone.
Still silent! Then let's kill the sentinel!
Jenkins [to Clifford, in an undertone.
What! send a soul headlong before God's throne
Ere it has even time to say a prayer?
Clifford [to Jenkins, in an undertone.
What matters it?
Ormond [to Clifford, in an undertone.
What matters it? But strike a man behind?
Clifford [to Ormond, in an undertone.
We must pass in, my lord. I grieve for him.
All [to Ormond, in undertones.
Yes, let us kill the man!
Jenkins [in an undertone.] … man! All stained with sin,
Send him before his judge!
All [in undertones.] …his judge! Yes, let him die!
Cromwell [aside.
What are they saying there?

[The Cavaliers draw their daggers and walk toward