Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/380

But Haman's gibbet, or Barabbas' cross.
Syndercomb.⁠Death, death to Cromwell!
Willis [amid the crowd.] …romwell! Death!
Milton [starting at Willis's voice, to the Puritan conspirators.
Death, death to Cromwell! Speak lower, pray!
Willis.⁠Death to th' usurper!
The Soldier. Death to th' usurper! Lower? what's the odds?
I'll go and cry: "Death!" at his very door!
Nahum [to the Soldier.
The Lord's decrees are utterèd aloud.
Thy mouth is pure.
The Soldier. Thy mouth is pure. Ay, as thou seest me,
Poor, like a lemon lost upon the strand,
Left naked by the tide of human fortune,
If I can see this child of Sirah slain,
Then shall I die consoled.
Overton [leading him aside and pointing to his dagger.
Then shall I die consoled. We will console,
My brother.

[The Soldier makes a gesture of surprise and delight, which Overton suppresses.

My brother. Hush!

[Enter a detachment of soldiers of Cromwell's regiment, in red uniforms, with breastplates; muskets and halberds over their shoulders.

My brother. Hush! The guard is to be posted;
We must not speak.
[The soldiers force the people back against the sides of the hall.
The Officer [in a loud voice.] Room for the Ironsides
Of England's lion.
[To some citizens whom he pushes back.
Of England's lion. Back! Away with you!
One of the Citizens [to another, in an undertone.