Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/383

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ACT FIFTH. THE WORKMEN
371

The Champion.Does no one speak?
Overton [aside.] …one speak? Ah! must we hold our peace!
Milton [in a loud voice.
Why but one glove, O champion of England?
Your master should, if such his project be,
Have cast as many gloves as he believes
That he has subjects.
[Signs of approbation in the crowd.
The Champion. That he has subjects. Who is it that speaks?
That blind man?—Stand aside, my worthy man.

[The soldiers force Milton back.—Overton goes up to the Officer who commands the guard, and questions him with a glance.

The Officer [lowering his eyes, and with a gloomy expression.
All goes ill.
Overton [to Syndercomb, in an undertone.
All goes ill. All goes well.
The Champion [looking among the people.
All goes ill. All goes well. Does no one speak?
Overton [to Milton, in an undertone, pressing his hand.
We will send Cromwell here to join his glove.
Milton [aside.]Alas!
The Champion. Alas! I wait.
The Old Soldier [looking at the Champion, aside.
Alas! I wait. Vile cur! proud satellite!
Syndercomb [to Overton, in an undertone.
I know not why I do not punish him.
[He steps toward the gauntlet. Overton detains him.
Overton [to Syndercomb, in an undertone.
Be prudent!

Gramadoch [to his comrades, in an undertone, pointing to the group of Puritan conspirators.