ophet; truly they are more earnest and sober than
the others.

_1st Troop._ To-morrow we shall sup in York.

_Will._ [Aside.] How the man of war identifies
himself with the remnant of those that shall sup.

_2nd Troop._ Not so--for this morning, when a
surrender was demanded, they would have hanged
our messenger. That raging Beelzebub, Rupert, in
expected hourly to the relief. [_Distant firing._]
There! there! he is come.

_1st Troop._ What say the generals?

_2nd Troop._ Our own Cromwell is very prompt;
but the rest chafe much, and the Scots are sore backsliders.

_3rd Troop._ I would we might be led on and the
trumpets sounded, that the walls of yon Jericho
might fall about their ears, and deliver them into our
hands alive.

_Will._ Worthy martialist! may I speak?

_1st Troop._ Ay so?

_Will._ Is the King there in person?

_2nd Troop._ Surely not; he is in that city of
abomination, Oxford.

[_Here CROMWELL enters, U.E.R., with his face covered._]

_Will._ Is it not true that ye did ask them that
guard the city to yield it in the King's name?

_2nd Troop._ I heard the message: it was so worded.

_Will._ 'Tis an excellent contradiction, to fight for
and against. If ye should meet the King now in
battle, would you fire on him with your pistols, or
cleave him with your swords?

_1st Troop._ Nay!

_Crom._ [_Discovering himself._] But I say, yea!

_Will._ [Without seeing CROMWELL.] What, in his
own name, kill him for himself, for his own sake, as
it were? I would fain argue that with your general--[_sees
CROMWELL._]--another time. Farewell, worthy sirs!

_Crom._ Stay, thou base knave! I'll have thee whipped without
The army of the saints. Hearken ye all!
Charles Stuart I would gladly smite to death:
Not as a king, but as a man that fights
Against the honour, conscience of the king,
And the true rights of all his loving subjects.
Is any here the muscles of whose arm
Grow slack to think he may meet such an one
In arms to-morrow? Let him home to-day,
God and his country have no need of him.

_Soldiers._ A Cromwell! Cromwell!
Lead on, we'll slay the king.

_Crom._ I did but say
If ye should meet him, ye would not turn back.

_Soldiers._ No! No!

_Crom._ Nor slur the onset?

_Soldiers._ No!

_Crom._ Nor spare
A courtier for his likeness to the King?

_Soldiers._ No! No!

_Crom._ Why then ye are mine own, [_observing the soldiers._]
My brave and trus