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To watch the skies for thee?
Cromwell [aside.] …the skies for thee? No, 'tis not thus
A hypocrite doth speak. He hath full faith
In this his science; ay, he even boasts
That 'tis proscribed.
[Aloud, with vehemence.]⁠Come, tell me if my star
Is to my aspirations favourable.
Obey.
Manasseh. Obey. I cannot.
Cromwell. Obey. I cannot. But it is my will.
Manasseh.⁠Thy will?
Cromwell [putting his hand on his dagger.
Thy will? Though powerless to make thee speak,
This dagger will at least put thee to silence.
Manasseh [after some hesitation.
Wilt thou not fear, if in the mystic rites,
The Koran and the Talmud I confuse,
And hell and heaven?
Cromwell. And hell and heaven? No.
Manasseh. And hell and heaven? No. Unto the sword
The mind doth yield, the wise man to the tyrant.
Say on, my son.
Cromwell. Say on, my son. To my bewildered mind
Disclose the secret of my destiny
And of my life. Hark ye: when yet a child,
I had a vision. I had been expelled,
Because I was of lowly origin,
From those proud swards, the glory of all Oxford,
Where none may tread save those of gentle birth.
Back in my cell, my heart inflamed with rage,
I wept, and cursed my humble rank in life.
Night fell; I sat, awake, beside my bed,
When suddenly my flesh began to creep
Beneath a human breath, and, sick with fear,
I heard a voice: "All honour to King Cromwell!"