378
CROMWELL
See, Gramadoch is making signs.
Gramadoch [making wry faces at his comrades.
Ha! hum!
[The Jesters roar with laughter.
Elespuru. His jesting went a bit too far.
Trick.However will he extricate himself?
Giraff.What matters it to us?
Elespuru. We had our sport,
'Tis true; and for the moment that's enough.
An Usher [from the balcony of a wide gallery, richly decorated, in front of the throne.
My Lady, the Protectress!
[All the officers of the city rise, uncover, and bow low to the Protectress, who appears, attended by her four daughters, each dressed according to her own ideas. The Protectress, Mistress Fleetwood, and Lady Claypole, in black, with jet ornaments; Lady Falconbridge in full court dress, mantle of gold brocade, skirt of ginger-coloured velvet embroidered with Venetian scorpions, the ruff and coronet of a peeress. Frances in a white guaze dress, with silver stripes. The Protectress responds with a reverence to the salutation of the Lord Mayor and aldermen; then she and her daughters seat themselves at the front of the gallery. Back of them are the women of their households.
Trick [to the other Jesters.
Egad! 'tis fortunate, upon my word,
That face assumes not yet the name of queen.
A Soldier [looking up at the Jesters' gallery.
Peace, idiots!
Trick [with a sneer.] Give me a warrior bold
To preach of peace!
[The soldier makes a threatening gesture; Trick re-
