Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/185

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ACT SECOND. THE SPIES
173

How he does question one in pulpit-phrase!
And scan one with his hypocritic eye!
[Looking himself over.
'Tis well for me I have an evil look.
I have the aspect of a very villain,
A true king-killer! In good sooth, at first
He took me for a thief, I do believe!
[He laughs.]This preaching man-of-war, this patriarch-
Brigand, lest he be taken unawares,
Goes armed from head to foot, in his own palace,
With pious riddles and good pistols, too.
Thus can he comfort you in either-wise.
[Enter Richard Cromwell.


Scene 17.—Lord Rochester, Richard Cromwell.


Rochester [as he sees Richard coming toward him.
What! Richard Cromwell! I must disappear!
If he should know me, 'ware the rope or stake!
Good Obededom soon would lose his Greek!
Richard [scrutinizing Rochester.]Methinks that somewhere I have seen that face.
Rochester [aside, counterfeiting Puritan gravity.
The bear hath winded the pretended corpse.
Richard.'Tis past all doubt!
Rochester [aside.] … all doubt! An evil omen that!
Richard [still examining him.]He's nothing less than Puritan divine.
He drank this morning with our Cavaliers.
I have a shrewd suspicion who he is,
The scoundrel!
Rochester [aside.] …drel! Now, a murrain on thy head!
No more disastrous meeting have I known
Since, with my Lady Seymour tête-à-tête,