Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/135

Zion's fair tow'r to whited sepulchre?
The Golden Fleece to me! Their actor-priests
And temple-theatres I gladly leave
To the idolaters. They seek in hell
Their gods and treasure, and they have the fleece
E'en as of old men had the Golden Calf.—

[He pauses a moment and glances haughtily at the members of the Spanish embassy in turn; then he resumes with animation.

Shall I be outraged with impunity?
From my just wrath did Portugal's envoy
Preserve his brother? Can it be, Don Luis,
Your master has the signal hardihood
To flout me by his envoy to my face?
'Twould be an insult too notorious!
But go!
Don Luis [in a rage.
But go! Farewell, then! War, unceasing war!
[Exit with his suite.
Mancini [to the Duc de Créqui, in an undertone.
The proud Castilian raised his Highness' gorge.

Duc de Créqui [looking at the Golden Fleece, as the pages take it away; aside.

And yet, that insult I solicited!
Cromwell [to Stoupe, in an undertone.
'Twas most important, in this conference,
To break with Spain before th' envoys of France.
But follow him and try to placate him,
And learn, if may be, what he doth propose.
⁠[Exit Stoupe.
[At this moment the great folding-door is thrown open.
An Usher.⁠My lady the Protectress.
Cromwell. My lady the Protectress. Ah, great heaven!
It is my wife!