Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/89

Rochester [aside.] In heaven's name, play no mad pranks! Nay, nay!
If, haply, I my quatrain could bestow
Upon her! Oft a quatrain lights the spark.
[Aloud, to Davenant.
Once in the citadel, what must I do?
Davenant [handing him a phial.]⁠Herein is a most potent sleeping-draught.
The King to be is always served at night
With hippocras wherein is dipped a sprig
Of rosemary. Therein this powder pour,
And bribe the guard at the park gate.
And bribe the guard at t [To Ormond.] The rest
Is our affair.
Ormond. Is our affair. But wherefore does the King
Command that Cromwell, by a coup de main,
Be carried off to-night, whenas he dies
To-morrow? E'en by his own partisans
His death is sworn.
Davenant. His death is sworn. And that's the reason on 't.
The King would fain protect him from the blows
Aimed by the Puritans. It is his will
To do without their aid. And, furthermore,
'Tis often well to have a living foe
For hostage.
Rochester. For hostage. And the funds?
Davenant. For hostage. And the funds? Moored in the Thames
There lies a brig with a large sum in gold
Which will be brought to us. Meanwhile, at need,
Manasseh, a vile Jew, doth offer us
A gen'rous credit to be drawn upon.
Ormond.⁠'Tis well.
Davenant. 'Tis well. But let us none the less retain
The Roundheads' succour. 'Tis an oak whose roots
Spread deep and far, that we would overthrow.
Let their alliance hold, and let th' old fox