Cromwell.'Tis well!
[He takes the bag and places it on the table before him.
Manasseh [aside.
Nought can escape that lynx's eye.
The Cavaliers are easily deceived
At least: I take their ship away from them,
And place my bank at their command. And so,
Thanks to my craft, their resources are nought.
Thereon, as is the custom of our trade,
I sell to them again at cent per cent
The money that I stole from them. For most
Praiseworthy 'tis to steal from Christian dogs.
Cromwell.What know'st thou new, thou purgatory-face?
Manasseh.Nothing—save this: that 'tis in London rumoured
At Dover an astrologer's been hanged.
Cromwell.Well done! But art not an astrologer
Thyself?
Manasseh [after a moment's hesitation.
Thou shalt not, saith the Decalogue,
False witness bear. 'Tis true, I understand
That book which even Satan finds obscure,
Which Zoroaster read and Solomon.
Yes, in the starry heaven I can read
Your good and evil fortune.
Cromwell [aside, his eyes fixed on the Jew.
Strange his lot!
To keep close watch on men and on the stars!
Astrologer above, on earth a spy!
Look—yonder near the Scorpion, my lord,—
