Into such depths of crime, would he incur
The fire or the rope?
Rochester [authoritatively.] The rope. And may
His Amorrhean father and Cethean mother,
'Neath the same condemnation, die with him!
The Leader [gravely.]But why the rope?
Rochester [embarrassed.]The rope?—Oh! oh! 'Tis thus—
One mounts the gallows by a ladder, and—
God shewed his faithful shepherd in a dream,
That by a ladder one to Heav'n ascends.
[Aside.]I cannot easily forbear to flout
These fellows to their faces.
Cromwell [observing Rochester with satisfaction.
In good sooth
He is a learned man!
The Leader [thanking Rochester with a gesture.
We'll hang them, then.
[Exeunt the Ranters.
Rochester [aside.] Gad; there are some poor fellows fairly tried!
Cromwell [to Rochester.]I am content with you.
Rochester [with a reverence.] My lord's too kind.
Giraff [to the other Jesters.
No one of us could better have adjudged.
[Enter Thurloe.
Thurloe [to Cromwell.]The Privy Council.
Cromwell. Well.
Thurloe. Their purpose is—
Cromwell [hastily.]I know. Let them come in.
Trick [to the Jesters, in an undertone.
Now, mountebanks,
Give place to the wise men.
Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/220
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
208
CROMWELL
[At a gesture from Cromwell, exeunt the Jesters, Rochester and Hannibal Sesthead, and two
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/CromwellHugo.djvu/page220-1024px-CromwellHugo.djvu.jpg)