Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/165

Carr.⁠The Antichrist's, who King of Scotland's called,
Or Charles the Second!
Cromwell. Or Charles the Second! Ah! my son! my son!
Atrocious ribaldry! To drink that health
Was drinking to my death! And laughter, song,
And merrymaking—no touch of remorse!
Mad parricide! on thy pale brow, one day,
Will "Cain" be writ, or "Sardanapalus"?
Carr.⁠Both.
[Enter Thurloe. He goes to Cromwell with an air of mystery.
Thurloe [in an undertone.
Both. Richard Willis is below, my lord.

[At the moment that Thurloe appears, Cromwell resumes his apparent serenity.

Cromwell.⁠Sir Richard Willis!
…ard Willis! [Aside.] He'll explain all this.
[To Thurloe.] I go.

Thurloe [pointing to the great door through which the courtiers left the hall.

I go. These gentlemen about your door,
May they come in?
Cromwell. May they come in? Yes, since I needs must go.
[Aside.] I must be calm; 'tis meet that in this place
I seem untroubled. If my heart's of flesh,
Then brazen be my brow.

[Enter the courtiers, escorted by Thurloe. They salute Cromwell, who waves his hand to them, and addresses Carr.

Then brazen be my brow. My brother, thanks!
Be one of us. Cromwell will always place
Carr before all the rest. For your desires