Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/320

Richard.My father sleeps.
Cromwell [aside.] … sleeps. He sleeps!
Richard. My father sleeps. He sleeps! He nought suspects.
Cromwell [aside.]He's wide awake and listening to thee!
Richard [laughing.]I shall entrap him shrewdly.
Cromwell [aside.] …entrap him shrewdly. What a laugh,
And what a crime! the villain comes to ask:
"Is 't done?" Suppose I take upon myself
The duty of chastising him?
Richard [laughing.] … chastising him? Come, courage!
To-morrow, when they find the bird has flown,
How great will be the Saints' discomfiture!
Cromwell [aside.]If I should poniard him with my own hand?

[He draws his dagger and takes a step toward Richard, who is walking to and fro at the front of the stage. He raises the dagger, then checks himself.

He is my son!
Richard. He is my son! Our Cavaliers will laugh
Till they are like to burst, at th' escapade.
Cromwell [aside.]He flaunts my very blood before my face!
[He takes another step.
I'll strike!
Richard. I'll strike! A lucky ending, by my faith.
Cromwell [aside.]'Tis true!
Richard. 'Tis true! My father ne'er would have consented
To pardon me, I fear. But by this means
His anger I escape.
Cromwell [aside.] … I escape. Nay, thou shalt not
Escape it, traitor! I must strike him down!
No pity!
[He steps toward Richard, then hesitates.