Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/368

I must e'en strike!
Barebones [unseen and unheard by Lambert.
I must e'en strike! This guilty, ghoulish crew
Would plunder me!
Lambert [musing.] …der me! Strike Cromwell 'mongst his friends!
Before his guards! Him, who with benefits
Has overwhelmèd me! Ingratitude!
And if I miss him, by some evil chance?
Barebones [pensively.]⁠To plunder me of capital enough
To found a bank!
Lambert. To found a bank! O thrice accurst ambition!
Thou 'st borne me far too high! Whereas my foot
Did seek the throne, it stumbles o'er the block!
[He walks rapidly to and fro, and glances outside of the palace.
But someone comes. I must be gone. The crowd
Has gathered even now. I'll go and dress
For the great ceremony. [Exit.
Barebones. For the great ceremony. Faithless friends!
So you are envious of my worldly goods!
Ah! Woe to you! to me! to everyone! [Exit.

Scene 7.—Trick, Giraff, Elespuru; afterward Gramadoch.

[The three Jesters enter the great hall by the principal door, glancing at Barebones as he retires.

Trick.⁠'Tis Barebones!
Giraff. 'Tis Barebones! He has not a cheerful air.
Elespuru.⁠Fanatic!
Trick. Fanatic! Samuel of the counting-house!
Shop-keeping Jeremiah!
Elespuru. Shop-keeping Jeremiah! He it is
Who Cromwell doth supply with all this splendour.