cers and
soldiers of this whole army, his own personal worth and ability for
employment, his great care, diligence, courage, and faithfulness in the
services you have already employed him in, with the constant presence
and blessing of God that have accompanied him, make us look upon it as
the duty we owe to you and the public, to make it our suit."

_Pemberton:_
It is shameful of them.

_Ireton:_
It is. But that hope is gone. Do I take the left, sir?

_Fairfax:_
You must choose. The horse entirely are your command now.

_Ireton:_
Whalley on the right, and you, Pemberton.

_Fairfax:_
What's the hour?

_Staines:_
Six o'clock, sir.

_Fairfax:_
They have had three hours. Let the army sleep till ten if it may be.

_Staines:_
Yes, sir.

_Ireton:_
Are you satisfied about those footmen on the left, sir?

_Fairfax:_
No, not satisfied. But we cannot better it.

_Pemberton:_
Rupert is almost certain to see the weakness there.

_Fairfax:_
Yes, but there it is. Skippon must cover it as he can. We have spoken of
it very exactly.

_Ireton:_
If either wing of our horse breaks, it means certain disaster there,
even though Skippon could hold in the centre.

_Fairfax:_
That's Cromwell again. And all to satisfy the pride of a few useless
members that his self-denying ordinance keeps out of command.

_Staines:_
Do you think it's that, sir?

_Fairfax:_
What else? They are more jealous that he should come to no more honour
than that we should succeed. And after all that has been given.

_Ireton:_
The blood.

_Pemberton:_
It is abominable.

_Fairfax:_
But there--we must not distress ourselves. We have our own loyalty. Keep
in touch with Skippon, Staines. If you can push their right foot up
towards Sibbertoft there, spare nothing in the doing. Have you all
slept, gentlemen?

_Ireton and the others:_
Yes, sir.

_Fairfax:_
Since we lack General Cromwell, more depends on you, Ireton, than on any
man, perhaps. You will not be wanting, I know.

_Ireton:_
In endeavour at least--and we can die.

(A scout comes in.)

_Fairfax:_
Yes?

_The Scout:_
Something moves across from the east, sir. It is very faint. It may be
haze, or it may be dust.

_Fairfax:_
Watch. Come again at once.

(The scout goes. FAIRFAX and the others go to the tent opening, and look
out.)

_Fairfax:_
Yes--there. It is moving, isn't it?

_Ireton:_
I think not.

_Staines:_
Surely.

_Pemberton:_
Could it be?

_Fairfa