Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/163

Thou dost exhaust thyself in vain.
Cromwell [with a contrite air.] … in vain. My brother,
Vouchsafe to hear me. That my rule's unjust
And arbitrary, I agree; but, Carr,
In Issachar, in Judas, or in Gad,
There's none on whom it weighs so grievously
As on myself. I hate these vanities
That make one long to fly to the world's end;
Words that give forth a hollow tomb-like sound:
Throne, sceptre, honours vain, bequeathed to us
By Charles; false gods, who neither Alpha are
Nor Omega! But I may not restore
Abruptly, to this people whom I love,
The power supreme, before the longed-for day
When there shall come to rule this land of ours
The eighty old men and four animals.
Go, therefore, and seek Selden and St. John,
Judges in law, and most profoundly learned
In matters of religion. Say to them
To frame a plan of government, whereby
I may forthwith retire.—Art thou content?
Carr [shaking his head.
Not overmuch. These doctors thou invok'st
Too frequently do utter oracles
Of doubtful import. But 'tis not my wish
To leave thee half content.
Cromwell. To leave thee half content. Tell me his name,
My other enemy.
Carr. My other enemy. 'Tis Richard Cromwell!
Cromwell [in a grief-stricken tone.
My son!
Carr [unmoved.] ⁠ Ay! Cromwell, art thou satisfied?
Cromwell [in utter stupefaction.
Thus vice and blasphemy by slow degrees