Cromwell Part 8

_Arth._ I in Italy did know That excellent man. Full often we have sat Upon the white and slippery marble limb Of some great ruin'd temple, whilst all round Was dipp'd in the warm, l.u.s.trous atmosphere We know not here, and purple eve did glow With shadows soft as beds of fallen roses, And he hath spoken in clear tones until He built up all again, and glory's home Grew glorious as ever. Then his voice Would sudden deepen into holy thought And mournful sweet philosophy, 'till all The air grew musical and my soul good.

How well do I remember it.

Yes! Milton was My honour'd tutor and my loving friend.

_Crom._ Came not his thoughts here often?--

_Arth._ Latterly, He would speak much of England, and of change Political, and coming strife and battles--

_Crom._ Ay! battles-- Hast thou not a sword, young man?

Thou should'st be friend of righteousness to know That zealous patriot and pure-minded man, Of whom thou spakest; surely he hath taught thee More than mere cla.s.sic lore--wisdom and faith To help this stricken people from the thrall Of their idolatrous, self-seeking rulers?

_Arth._ Fair sir! I know you not enough for this: I am a stranger to these hapless broils Between your sovereign and some of you.

Yet let me thank you for this worthless life-- Worthless indeed, could I so lightly join So grave a cause as yours. Still deem me not The serf of custom to uphold a wrong, Or slave of tyrants to deny a right, Or such a one whose brib'd and paltry soul Aims shafts of malice at a patriot's heart, Hating the deed he cannot estimate: As if, when some great exile to our land Whose lips were touched with freedom's sacred fire, But poor in wealth as virtue's richest heir, Came speaking of the wrongs his country bore, Men said in youth he robb'd an orphan trust, The proof since burnt, betray'd a trusting friend, Haply now dead, or any other lie So monstrous, wicked, gross, improbable, That weak men found it easier to believe Than the invention; while the bad in heart, By true worth most offended, felt relief, Protesting still they wish'd it were not so, With that lean babble, custom's scant half-mask, Worn uselessly by hatred.

Think me not Of these--nor yet too rash in sympathy.

I would reflect well ere I draw the sword To fling the sheath away; I bid you now A kind farewell.

_Crom._ Full soon to meet array'd In arms, the instruments of Heaven together Thou art of us. Thy heart, thy tongue, thy sword.

Are ours--now good night! [_With emotion._]

Sir, this poor land Needs all her honest children--n.o.ble sorrow, And yet a cheerful spirit to a.s.sert The truth of right, yea! G.o.d's eternal truth, Lest the world die a foolish sacrifice And perish flaming in the night of s.p.a.ce, An atheist torch to warn the universe-- Smile not, I pray thee. We meet soon; farewell!

[_Exit CROMWELL, L._]

_Arth._ A rude and uncurb'd martialist!--and yet A G.o.d-intoxicated man. 'Tis not A hypocrite, too haggard is his face, Too deep and harsh his voice. His features wear No soft, diluted, and conventional smile Of smirk content; befitting lords, and dukes, Not men of nature's honoured stamp and wear-- How fervently he spake Of Milton. Strange, what feeling is abroad!

There is an earnest spirit in these times, That makes men weep--dull, heavy men, else born For country sports, to slip into their graves, When the mild season of their prime had reach'd Mellow decay, whose very being had died In the same breeze that bore their churchyard toll, Without a memory, save in the hearts Of the next generation, their own heirs, When they in turn grew old and thought of dying-- Even such men as these now gird themselves With swords and Bibles, and, nought doubting, rush Into the world's undying chronicles!

This struggle hath in it a solemn echo Of the old world, when G.o.d was present still In fiery columns, burning oracles: Ere earnest faith and new reality Had grown diluted, fading from the earth Through feeble ages of a mock existence, Whose Heaven and h.e.l.l were but as outer fables, That trouble not man's stage-like dream of life.

[_Exit into the Inn._]

END OF ACT I.

ACT II.

SCENE I.

[_2nd Grooves._]

_A large Barn with folding doors. In it a number of Cavaliers drinking at various rude tables. Some women are interspersed among them. Many are playing at dice, &c. Their arms are piled in a corner._

_1st Cav._ [_Sings_]

Noll's red nose, In a b.u.mper here goes To Beelzebub his own master; With the pikes at his flank Of our foremost rank, And the devil to find him plaster, Fairfax and Harrison, On them our malison.

But drink and sing A health to the KING-- Gentlemen! steady, Fill, now be ready.

_All._ He _shall_ have his own again!

[_Shouting and huzzaing._]

_A Cav._ A _toast_! gentlemen. "Noll's nose a-fire, and the devil's youngest daughter to baste it with aqua-vitae!"

_All._ Ha! ha!

_A Cav._ Would that Goring's moonrakers might come across the snuffling organ and cut it off. We would have it by way of _pavillon_. Thou, Frank Howard! shouldst carry it as senior cornet. Thou wouldst be like curly-headed David with the spoils of the Philistine drum-major Goliah. Led on by its light we'd march direct to Whitehall, our trumpets sending dismay to the virtue of the starched coifs of the round rosy rogues of London.

_A Cav._ [_Arranging his love-lock._] Plague on't, I don't think their virtue would tremble at the chance.

_Anoth. Cav._ Lord! what rumpling of sober dimities! Poor little plump partridges, they cannot help their forced puritanism.--But all women are for king and cavalier in their hearts.

[_Two Cavaliers advance with angry gestures to the front of the stage._]

_1st Cav._ I tell thee, Wilmington! 'twas I she did regard.

_2nd Cav._ And I tell thee that thou thinkest wrong.

I know she loves me.

_1st Cav._ Did she tell thee so?

_2nd Cav._ This kerchief was hers.

_1st Cav._ Bah! Thou didst steal it from thy mother, boy! Go home and return it to her.

_2nd Cav._ Ha!

_3rd Cav._ Who is this piece of goods--she at the White Dragon?

_1st Cav._ Nay, a mercer's daughter. Wouldst like the address? She entertaineth well.

_2nd Cav._ How! 'Tis false!

_1st Cav._ I met her yestereen, and she said thou shouldst have been a canting Psalmsinger. Thou art so innocent a youth.

_2nd Cav._ h.e.l.l's fire! I'll not bear this. I tell thee she waved her hand to me from her lattice, and dropped this kerchief.

_1st Cav._ And to me she gave her garter when I left her.

_2nd Cav._ To hang thyself? Nay, thou liest!

_1st Cav._ [_Strikes him down._] Take that, thou fool!

[_He rises, they draw. Closing in of the Cavaliers near, confusion._]

_3rd Cav._ Hold, gentlemen! 'Tis a mere wanton!

I believe these wenches are dowered by old Noll to set our young hot-bloods by the ears. Hold! 'Tis not worth!

[_They continue tonight. The 2nd Cavalier is wounded._]