Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/331

Scene 8.—The Same; Earl of Carlisle, Thurloe, Musketeers, Halberdiers, Gentlemen, Cromwell's Body-Guard.

Murray [terror-stricken.]⁠Cromwell! and scores of soldiers, glist'ning arms!
I am a dead man!
The Cavaliers. I am a dead man! Treachery! betrayed!
Ormond [gazing at Rochester and Cromwell in turn.
Cromwell!—and Rochester!
Rochester [rubbing his eyes.] …ter! Have I been hanged
Already? Can it be that I 'm in hell?
Yon glittering palace and these solemn ghosts,
And hordes of imps who flaring torches wave—
'Tis hell, in sooth! Wilmot had little hope
Of Heaven.
[Looking at Cromwell.
Of Heaven. Ay, and yonder's Satan, too.
He much resembles Cromwell, by my faith!
Cromwell [to Thurloe and Lord Carlisle, pointing to the Cavaliers.
Arrest these men!

[A multitude of Puritan soldiers rush upon the Cavaliers, seize them, and take possession of their swords, before they have had time to resist.

Ormond [breaking his sword across his knee.
Arrest these men! No man shall have my sword.
Richard [aside.] What means all this? My latest escapade
Will bring upon me some new punishment.
I've broken my arrest; I am undone.
Rochester [looking about him with a bewildered air.
Why, here are Rosebery, Downie, Drogheda!
I shall at least roast in good company.—