Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/329

Help, soldiers! help!
Murray. Help, soldiers! help! The soldiers are with us.
Richard.Ah well! then I alone defy you all!
[He puts his hand to his side to draw his sword.
How now! my hand th' avenging blade doth lack!
Father, why didst thou take away my sword?
Cromwell [aside.]Poor Richard!
Ormond [to Richard.] Sir, I truly grieve for you.
Take my advice:—withdraw; leave the King's men
To do their will.
Richard. To do their will. To do your will? O Heaven!
I ask no mercy. Kill me here with him,
Upon his body!

[He throws himself upon the sleeping Rochester and strains him to his breast.

Cromwell [aside.] Upon his body! Ah! he goes too far;
'Twould be too barbarous that he should die,
Of his own motion, with a spurious Cromwell!
Rosebery [trying to sooth Richard.
Richard—
Richard [still clinging to Rochester.
Richard—No! strike me with your heartless blades,
Or I will save him!

[The Cavaliers try to tear Richard away from Rochester's body; he resists them and clings to it the more desperately.—During the struggle Or I will save him!Cromwell watches closely every movement of the Cavaliers, holding himself ready to go to his son's assistance. Manasseh raises his head and looks on attentively, without uttering a word.

Rochester [waking with a start and joining in the struggle.
Or I will save him! 'Sdeath! You're choking me!
[All paused as if turned to stone.
Ormond. Great Heaven! what voice is that I hear?