All Three [placing their hands on the Bible.]
Lambert [in a louder voice.] To lend us aid,
To hold your peace, and act?
All Three. We promise, ay.
Lambert.Be welcome!
[The three conspirators join the other Puritans.
Overton [to Lambert, in an undertone.
All goes well as well can be,
Courage!
Lambert [aside.
To-morrow I shall have, past doubt,
A crown the more, or else a head the less!
Overton [pointing to the conspirators.
Look you—what store of friends!
Lambert [aside.] Of witnesses!
Syndercomb [in the group of conspirators.
Death to Cromwell!
Carr [to the Roundheads.
My brethren, when your swords
Have struck down Cromwell, wakened from his dream,
That Baal o'erthrown, whom men kneel to adore,
What after will you do?
Ludlow [pensively.] Ay, what, in sooth?
Ormond [aside.]I know.
Lambert [embarrassed.] A council we will then create,
Of ten at most.
[Aside.] Which but one head shall have.
Harrison [hastily.] Ten members, General! 'Tis far too few!
Say seventy, the number consecrate,
As in the Sanhedrim.
Carr. The lawful power
Is the Long Parliament, dispersed by crime.
Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/109
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ACT FIRST. THE CONSPIRATORS
97
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