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Cromwell.⁠Let us return to where we were before.
Sometimes, 'twould seem, you have consorted with
This Cromwell, now the object of your scorn?
Murray.⁠Ay, for a purpose. One cannot fight on
For ever, like Montrose.
Cromwell. For ever, like Montrose. I understand:
My gentleman some goodly office sought
At the vile tyrant's hands, pending the time
When he could sell him to the outlawed King.
Murray.⁠How blunt you are!
Cromwell. How blunt you are! I know nought of fine words.
Murray [aside.]⁠
Cromwell. The fellow! You were ill received by Cromwell,
Your prayer denied, perchance?
Murray. Your prayer denied, perchance? Denied? ah, no!
Cromwell [aside.
How he doth lie!
Murray. How he doth lie! Nay, on the contrary,
The bear to me was most obsequious.
He felt the compliment I paid to him,
And left me free to choose among the gifts
At his disposal.
Cromwell [aside.] …sposal. Ay, between the door
And window.
And… [Aloud.]⁠Why, then, turn against hir now?
Murray.⁠Oh! I reflected. How consent to serve
A churl who reigns like some jack-corporal
Giving an order; a mere clodhopper
Who tries to smile at you but shows his teeth,
And answers a salute with knees turned in?
Cromwell.⁠I understand.
Murray. I understand. And then I learned his fall
Was near at hand.
Cromwell. Was near at hand. Whereon the right divine
Of th' exiled Stuarts to your mind recurred?