Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/431

[The angry populace seize Syndercomb, who is dragged from the hall, struggling fiercely.

Cromwell [to Thurloe.
Go, look to what they do with him.
⁠[Exit Thurloe.
Voices of the People. … what they do with him. Strike down
The traitor!
Cromwell. The traitor! I forgive him freely, brethren.
He knows not what he does.
Voices of the People [without.
He knows not what he does. The Thames! the Thames!
⁠[Enter Thurloe.
Thurloe [to Cromwell.
The people are content. The Thames receives
The frenzied prophet.
Cromwell [aside.] …ied prophet. Clemency, in sooth,
Is an effective means. There's one foe less.
But Heaven forefend that this good people should
Become accustomed to such deaths as his!

[A pause.—Nought is heard save the joyous and triumphant shouts of the crowd. Cromwell, seated on his throne, seems placidly to enjoy the delirious acclamations of the populace and the army.

Overton [to Milton, in an undertone.
A human victim offered to the idol!—
The army and this heedless people—all
Are his. Nothing he lacks; all that he needs
He has. Our feeble efforts have but served
To raise him higher than before. In vain
One ventures to defy him, or combat.
And now he can destroy us, one by one.
He doth inspire love and fear alike.
Content he should be.
Cromwell [musingly.] …should be. When shall I be king?