Oliver Cromwell Part 8

Here they are.

(BRIDGET goes out to meet CROMWELL and IRETON, with whom she returns in a moment. IRETON'S right arm is in a sling. MRS. CROMWELL has put her book aside, and is standing. She embraces OLIVER.)

_Cromwell:_ Well, mother. Almost before our own tidings, eh?

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Bless you, son. How d'ye do, Henry Ireton?

(Shaking hands with him.) Is it Colonel Ireton yet?

_Ireton:_ No, ma'am.

_Cromwell:_ Soon, mother. He is marked.

_Bridget:_ Is the arm--

_Ireton:_ No, nothing.

_Cromwell:_ The mayor has not come yet?

_Bridget:_ No. You expect him?

_Cromwell:_ Yes. We must work at once.

(A bell rings.)

_Bridget:_ That may be the mayor. I will bring him.

(She goes out.)

_Cromwell:_ Elizabeth sends her devotion to you, mother.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Thank her, truly. Well, boy, it has begun?

_Cromwell:_ We must dispute it to the end now.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ May England prosper by you.

_Cromwell:_ With G.o.d's help, amen.

(BRIDGET returns with the MAYOR of Ely.)

_Cromwell:_ Welcome, Mr. Mayor.

_The Mayor:_ Your good-day, Captain Cromwell.

(To MRS. CROMWELL.) Ma'am.

(To IRETON.) Sir.

_Cromwell:_ Will you sit?

(They all sit, MRS. CROMWELL, BRIDGET, and IRETON by the fire. CROMWELL and the MAYOR at the table.)

_The Mayor:_ At Edgehill in Warwicks.h.i.+re, I hear?

_Cromwell:_ Yes.

_The Mayor:_ The issue was left uncertain, it is said?

_Cromwell:_ Of that battle, yes. But I think the issue was there decided, some few of us there learning what must now be done. Those few held firmly at Edgehill, keeping us as far from defeat as we were, though that was little enough. For our troops are most of them old decayed serving-men, and tapsters, and such kind of fellows; and their troops are gentlemen's sons, younger sons and persons of quality. Do you think that the spirits of such base, mean fellows will ever be able to encounter gentlemen, that have honour and courage and resolution in them? We must get men of a spirit that is likely to go on as far as gentlemen will go, or we shall be beaten still. We must raise such men as have the fear of G.o.d before them, such men as make some conscience of what they do. We must do this, Mr. Mayor. I never thought to use a sword, but now all must be given that it may be used well. I would have you send a summons to all the people of this town and countryside. Bid them meet two days hence in the market-place at noon. I will tell them of all these things. I will show them how the heart of England is threatened. We must give, we must be diligent in service, we must labour. An army is to be made--we must make it. We have no help but our own hands--by them alone we must save this country. Will you send out this summons?

_The Mayor_ (rising): It shall be done, this hour. My service to you.

(He bows to all and goes.)

_Cromwell:_ Nothing is to be spared the cause must have all. We must be frugal, mother. Daughter, help as you can.

_Bridget:_ I will, indeed, father.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ You commit yourself, boy, beyond turning back in all this.

_Cromwell:_ It must be so. The choice has been made, and is past.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ The Lord prosper you. But I am an old woman. Age can but have misgivings.

_Cromwell:_ We must have none, mother. We have gone to this in prayer, we must establish it in belief. Every yeoman, all the workers in the land, all courtesy and brave reason look to us. What men hereafter shall make of their lives must be between them and G.o.d in their own hearts. But to-day it must be given to them, the right to live as they most truly may in the light of their own proper character. No king may be against us. He may lead us, but he may not be against us. Have no misgivings, mother.

Faith everywhere, that is our s.h.i.+eld.

_Mrs. Cromwell_ (rising): I will be no hindrance, son.

_Cromwell:_ You are my zeal. I grew to it in you.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ I must see.

(She goes out.)

_Cromwell:_ How is Seth, Bridget?

_Bridget:_ He mends daily. Amos tends him like a mother.

_Cromwell:_ I must see them. Send to Mistress Hall and Robert. Let us have music this evening. Anthony, too. Let him bring his flute. There's good music here, Henry.

(He goes.)

_Bridget:_ Robert Hall sings beautifully.

_Ireton:_ Will you sing, too?

_Bridget:_ I expect so.

_Ireton:_ I once tried to learn the flute. It was no good. I couldn't do it unless I watched my fingers.