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To count out honest crowns to yonder bigot
Whom we so readily could recompense
With a good dagger-thrust!
Ormond [handing the purse to Murray.
With a good dagger-thrust! Sir William Murray,
Pray undertake the bargain to conclude.
Better than we you know these Saints, their ways.
Murray [taking the purse.
Fear nought.
Cromwell [as Murray walks toward him, aside.
Fear nought. Ah! they have held a council. 'Sdeath!
Was ever mortal man in such a plight,
For a mere nothing—for a single word!
They would go in, and I would let them in.
An understanding we should quickly reach.
Murray [aside.]⁠I needs must manage shrewdly.
Cromwell [to Murray, as he approaches.
I needs must manage shrewdly. Who goes there?
Murray.⁠A saint.
Cromwell [aside.] ⁠ The hypocrite!
Murray. A saint. The hypocrite! Blest be the steel
That girds your waist!
Cromwell [aside.] …ds your waist! To be by Royalists
Thus blest is sweet indeed!
Murray [aside.] …st is sweet indeed! To these evangelists
One needs must speak in their own chosen tongue.
[Aloud.]⁠Brother, upon her tower Zion had
Archers on guard, who to each other called
By night and day. You do resemble them.
Cromwell.⁠Much thanks.
Murray. Much thanks. The night is cool.
Cromwell. Much thanks. The night is cool. 'Tis even so.
Murray.⁠The bird sleeps in its nest, and in their stalls
The cattle; all things sleep, save you alone.