Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/116

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104
CROMWELL

Our purses, ay, and e'en our mistresses!
Your dogs were mine,—and you my falcons flew;
We passed the night 'neath the same balconies;
Although the name I bear doth me enroll
In the opposing party, I have lived
Fraternally with you. But none the less,
Despite this brotherly accord, you have
A secret from your Richard! ay, and such
A secret, too!
Rosebery. A secret, too! All's lost! What's to be said?
Richard.Question your hearts.—Could I have foreseen this?
'Tis infamous!
Sedley. 'Tis infamous! Dear Richard, on my word—
Richard.Ay, seek excuses! Tell me, have I not
In countless ways served you most faithfully?
Who was your refuge, in your dire distress,
Against the usurers, more deadly foes
Than any Roundhead? Tell me, Clifford, you,
For whom did I but yesterday repay
Four hundred nobles to the Jew Manasseh?
Clifford [covered with confusion.
I cannot say you nay. The accursèd Jew—
Richard.And Downie! even though thy family,
Already banished, was by Parliament
Attainted, who became thy surety
When thou wert taken into custody?
Downie [with embarrassment.
'Twas thou.
Richard. 'Twas thou. And, Rosebery, whose influence
Caused to be held in prison as a libeller,
During a certain night, thy charmer's spouse?
Rochester [to Davenant, in an undertone.
I' faith, he seems a well-intentioned fellow!
Barebones [to Carr, in an undertone.