Charles the First.
Act the First.#pubC1: ACT I.
Scene—An Apartment in WhitehallWhitehall Palace, Westminster, London, England | Whitehall | Westminster | London
| England |
51.5045858 -0.12600050000003193
| Main London residence of English monarchs from 1530 until
1698, when a major part of the palace was destroyed by fire. During the
seventeenth century, renovations made it the largest palace in Europe. Site
of the execution of King Charles I.—#ebb51.5045858 -0.12600050000003193.
Enter Ireton
Harrison & Pride, to Downes & Marten.
#pubC1: Enter Ireton, Harrison, and Pride, to Downes and
Marten.
Downes.
Welcome to LondonLondon, England | London | England |
51.5073509 -0.12775829999998223
| Capital city of England and the United Kingdom; one the oldest
cities in Western Europe. Major seaport and global trading center at the mouth
of the Thames. From 1831 to 1925, the
largest city in the world.—#lmw51.5073509 -0.12775829999998223 Ireton! dearly welcome 45To fair Whitehall!Whitehall Palace, Westminster, London, England | Whitehall | Westminster | London
| England |
51.5045858 -0.12600050000003193
| Main London residence of English monarchs from 1530 until
1698, when a major part of the palace was destroyed by fire. During the
seventeenth century, renovations made it the largest palace in Europe. Site
of the execution of King Charles I.—#ebb51.5045858 -0.12600050000003193
Harrison!
Pride!—#pubC1: Where loiters 46The valiant General? 47
Ireton.He alighted with us 48Three hours agone. 49
Marten.What three hours here, &#pubC1: and still 50In harness! Know ye not your coat of mail 51Is out of date? Go, doff your armour quick, 52Provide ye civil suits, grave civil suits, 53Sad reverend civil suits. 54
Pride.What mean'st thou? 55
Dow.Seek 56Meaning of Harry Marten! Tush! Where
tarries 57The valiant#pubC1: pious Cromwell? 58
Ire.He is busied still 59Disposing the tired soldiery. 60
Mar.Disbanding 61Will be his business soon. The lubbard people, 62And the smug citizens, are grown aweary 63Of this rough war. Ye must learn gentler trades 64If ye would thrive. Peace is the cry, my masters,#pubC1: ; 65 Peace &#pubC1: and the King.#pubC1: ! 66
Dow.The Newport treaty speeds,#pubC1: ; 67So far is sure. 68
Harrison.But we bring victory 69To the good cause. Cromwell hath past#pubC1: passed careering 70From hold to hold, sweeping as with a besom 71The foul malignants from the land. The
North 72Is our's#pubC1: ours from sea to sea. 73
Dow.'Tis a brave leader 74But peace is ever the best victory. 75
Enter Cromwell#pubC1: Cromwel.
Mar.In good time comes the General. Valiant Cromwell 76Thy praise was on our lips. 77
Cromwell.Not mine! not mine! 78Praise to the Lord of Hosts whose mighty shield 79Bucklered us in the battle!#pubC1: , whose right arm 80Strengthened us when we smote! Praise to the Lord! 81For his poor instruments, the meanest soldier 82Doth his great duty,#pubC1: ; we no more. My masters 83Have ye no news astir? News the prime staple 84Of yonder tattling city.#pubC1: ? 85
Mar.Aye; the worst 86Is that the Commons grow from day to day 87More doubtful of the army, more possessed 88By canting
Presbyters#pubC1: presbyters
89
Ire.Name not the Commons, 90A jealous crew, whose envious hate descends, 91'Twixt every pause of fear, on us their loathed 92Despised defenders. Were there but one head 93To the whole army, they would turn to truth 94
An elder tyrant's wish, &#pubC1: and chop it off. 95Despots who prate of liberty! 96
Har.Worse! worse! 97A godless yet intolerant crew, who rear 98O'er the down-fallen Church that blacker Idol#pubC1: idol 99A conscience-fettering Presbytery. 100
Crom.Sir 101They shall be quelled. Power, howsoever called, 102Is still the subtlest snare the Tempter weaves 103For Man's#pubC1: man's frail sinful soul. Save me from power! 104Grant me to follow still a lowly soldier 105In the great cause! The Commons shall be
quelled. 106What other news? 107
Dow.The best is that the King 108And the Commissioners draw near a godly 109And salutary peace. The King hath bent 110His will in a wise humbleness &#pubC1: ; and now— 111
Crom.I joy to hear thee say so. What the Lord 112Hath turned his heart, &#pubC1: and he hath yielded up 113His haughty prelates, his ill
counsellors#pubC1: councillors
, 114The popish mummery of his Chapel#pubC1: chapel? 115
Dow.Nay, 116Not yet,#pubC1: ; but he hath promised. 117
Crom.Promised! Oh 118The King hath promised! 119
Mar.Well? 120
Crom.And ye believe? 121
Dow.Wouldst#pubC1: Would'st have us doubters? 122
Crom.In good sooth not I.#pubC1: ! 123Believe who can! yet ere ye set him free 124
Look to the stuffing of his saddle, search 125The waste leaves of his prayer #pubC1: -book, lest ye find 126Some vow to Henrietta, some shrewd
protest, 127Some ante-dated#pubC1: antedated scroll to throw the shadow 128Of a plain lie before his words. Search! search! 129It is a prudent King that casts about him 130To rid him of his enemies. Search I say. 131
Dow.Why
Cromwell
thou art bitter. 132
Crom.Heaven forfend! 133I liked Charles Stuart well. I am of the
fools 134Whom Habit counts amidst her slaves,#pubC1: ; that love 135For old acquaintance sake each long-known pest 136And close familiar evil. I liked him well; 137The better that his proud disgracious speech 138Seemed to my plain &#pubC1: and downright simpleness 139As honest as mine own. Ye all remember 140What friends we were at HolmbyHolmby House, Althorp, Northamptonshire, England |
Holdenby House
| Holdenby | Northamptonshire | England |
52.303791 -0.985606999999959
| Country house estate in Holdenby, near Althorp,
Northamptonshire where King Charles
I was held captive in 1647 before being
turned over to the Long Parliament. The original mansion, built in 1583, was
almost entirely demolished in the seventeenth century; subsequent renovations
have left little remaining of the original.—#ebb #lmw52.303791 -0.985606999999959. Harrison 141And e'en my loving kinsman deemed I waxed 142Faint in the cause. But rightly is it#pubC1: it is written 143In the one holy book#pubC1: Holy Book, Put not thy faith#pubC1: trust 144In Princes.[11] Cromwell refers to the time in 1647 when he and his army held Charles I in palatial
captivity at Holmby House in Northamptonshire. In commenting "what friends we were"
may be referring to the considerable attentions provided for the King's comfort even
while under military observation.—#ebb 145
Ire.Yet is he in
Carisbrooke#pubC1: Carisbooke
146A present danger. Round yon prison Isle#pubC1: isleIsle of Wight, England | Isle of Wight | England |
50.69384789999999 -1.3047340000000531
| An island in the English Channel off the coast of Hampshire. Was
earlier owned by a Norman family and a kingdom in its own right until 1293.
Until 1890, it was part of the county of Hampshire, and it shared a Lord Lieutenant
with that county
until 1974. Until 1995, the island, like Jersey and Guernsey, also had a
governor. The Island is now considered its own administrative county.—#lmw50.69384789999999 -1.3047340000000531 147Lurk spies &#pubC1: and plots &#pubC1: and treasons. Every breeze 148Comes pregnant with quick rumours. Every#pubC1: ; every ear 149Is bent to listen, Every#pubC1: ; every eye is turned 150On those grey walls. 151
Crom.I grant ye. But astir, 152Free as the breeze to traverse sea &#pubC1: and land, 153Creep in our councils, sweep across our camps, 154
Were the King harmless then? Yet thou art right; 155He's dangerous in CarisbrookeCarisbrooke, Isle of Wight, England | Carisbrooke | Isle of Wight | England |
50.6914722 -1.3117460999999366
| Village near Newport on the Isle of Wight. Charles I was imprisoned at Carisbrooke
Castle in this village before his trial.—#lmw50.6914722 -1.3117460999999366. 156
Har.Dismiss him; 157Send him abroad unkinged; or drive him forth 158As Amaziah. 159
Crom.
(Aside)Ha! And they slew him
#pubC1: him! 160
Mar.What!#pubC1: , send him to seek succour in each court, 161From papal RomeRome, Italy | Rome | Papal States | Italy |
41.9027835 12.496365500000024
| City on the central Italian Peninsula on the River Tiber. One of
the oldest cities in the world, and once capital of the ancient Roman Empire.
Throughout much of Mitford’s lifetime, Rome was
governed by the Vatican as part of the Papal States, although it was part of
the short-lived Roman Republic between 1798 and 1800, annexed to the French
Empire under Napoleon between 1808 and 1814, and experienced another
short-lived attempt at Italian unification in 1849. Center of art and culture
since ancient times, Rome was a frequent stop for young men from Western Europe
on the Grand Tour. Now the capital of Italy and of the Lazio region.—#lmw41.9027835 12.496365500000024 to savage
MuscovyMuscovy |
Grand Duchy of Moscow
|
Grand Principality of Moscow
| Russia |
55.755826 37.6173
| Grand Duchy of Moscow, known in English as Muscovy. A medieval
Rus’ principality centered on Moscow, the forerunner of the state of Russia
under the Tsars, sometimes called the Tsardom of Muscovy.—#lmw55.755826 37.6173, 162Till he shall burst on us in triumph, heading 163Europe
Europe
|
54.883056 15.430833
—54.883056 15.430833's great armament!#pubC1: . 164
Ire.Wert thou a soldier 165And in this cause thou would'st cry Welcome, Marten, 166To such an armament. 167
Har.With His great help. 168
Crom.Aye, with His help, &#pubC1: and in this cause, if union 169Dwelt in the land. But this is idle talk. 170The King is dangerous; dangerous on the throne;#pubC1: , 171Dangerous in prison;#pubC1: , dangerous abroad;#pubC1: , 172At home & every where#pubC1: and everywhere. Yet this is idle:#pubC1: . 173We must abide the
Commons' treaty. 174
Har.Wherefore 175Lifts not the army the strong hand of
power 176Over these stiff-necked rulers? Put them down!#pubC1: . 177Tread out the firebrands!#pubC1: . 178
Ire.Rather move the Commons 179To bring the King to trial. 180
Crom.Who said that? 181
Mar.'Twas bravely spoken. 182
Crom.Who said that? 183
Dow.The words 184
Sounded like treason. 185
Crom.Sir, had we met here 186To compass such intent, the very thought 187Had been a treason. But the words fell straight 188Midst our unconscious hearts, unprompted quick#pubC1: unprompted, quick, 189Startling even him who spake them,#pubC1: —-like the fire 190That it the Burning Bush, a sign from Heaven#pubC1: . A sign from Heaven! 191Direct from Heaven! A comfortable light 192To our benighted spirits! As I wrestled 193In prayer this morning, when I would have cried 194For mercy on Charles Stuart, my parched
tongue 195Clave to my mouth. A token from on high! 196A star lit up to guide us! 197
Mar.Yet the Commons 198Will scarcely echo this rapt strain. The King 199Hath friends amongst us. 200
Har.Fear not. He who sent 201This impulse on his servants, will know how 202To turn their#pubC1: all hearts. 203
Dow.Ye will not slay the King? 204
Crom.Life hangs not on our lips. Yet surely, Sir, 205I hope to spare him. Friends, we must not sleep 206Over such stirring business. Downes, go
thou 207For Bradshaw, that resolved &#pubC1: and learned &#pubC1: and wise 208And godly lawman#pubC1: law-man. Thou art like to find him 209At the GuildhallGuildhall, City of London, London, England | London | England |
51.515819 -0.09198200000002998
| A building (and its main room, a medieval-era great hall) used
as a town hall and administrative center for the Corporation of the City of
London. It is situated off Gresham and Basinghall streets, in the wards of
Bassishaw and Cheap. Site of the Sheriff’s Court in London over which John Bradshaw
presided as judge from 1640 to 1659. Guildhall is now a Grade I
listed building. |
—#ebb51.515819 -0.09198200000002998. Say we would speak
with him. 210
Exit Downes.#pubC1: (Exit Downes.)
Harrison!—Downes went
forth as one who loves not 211His errand. #pubC1: —Lacks he zeal? 'Tis a brave soldier 212And yet—Follow himMarten, &#pubC1: , Marten; and return 213
With Bradshaw hither. We shall need
thy counsel. 214Delay not. 215
Exit Marten.#pubC1: (Exit Marten.)
Harrison! thou truest soldier 216Of the good cause, to thee we trust the charge 217Of guarding our great prisoner. Make thee ready 218For a swift journey. I'll confer with thee 219Alone, afore thou goest. 220
Har.Should I not see 221The General? 222
Crom.Wherefore? Hence!#pubC1: . 223
Exit Harrison.#pubC1: (Exit Harrison.)
Nay, Colonel, go not! 224I'd speak with thee good Colonel. Rest thee Son.#pubC1: , good Colonel. Rest thee, son, 225I'd speak with this good Colonel. 226
Pri.I attend 227Your Excellency's pleasure. 228
Crom.
(walking up & down the room in meditation)
Aye the light 229Mercurial Harry Marten said but sooth,#pubC1: ; 230They are unripe for this great charge. It shall be.#pubC1: — 231And yet—What is the hour? 232
Pri.Upon the stroke 233Of one. 234
Ire.He listens not. &#pubC1: Look how he searches 235The weather with unseeing eyes!#pubC1: . 236
Crom.'Tis stormy. 237
Pri.Nay a bright day. 238
Ire.He hears not. 239
Crom.Sweep them off 240And the whole game is ours, but#pubC1: ! But—Which way blows 241The wind? 242
Pride.
Right from the South#pubC1: south. 243
Crom.It must be! Shall be!#pubC1: , shall be. 244Ireton I gave thee yesterday a scroll 245Of the Malignants in the Commons. Hark ye#pubC1: —Hark ye! 246The Commons our great masters! If Charles
Stuart 247Have friends in EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691 he will find them there, 248'Mid those self-seekers. 249
Pri.Wherefore not arraign 250The King before the Council 251
Crom.Sir we need 252The Commons' name. I would not that our just 253And righteous cause lacked any form of law 254To startle tender consciences. I have thought 255Afore of this. Didst never see the thresher#pubC1: thrasher 256Winnow the chaff from the full grain? Good Colonel 257Thyself shalt play the husbandman to cleanse 258This sample of foul corn. Take yonder scroll, 259And with a troop of horse go post thy self#pubC1: thyself 260Beside the Commons' door, &#pubC1: and seize each man 261Whose name stains this#pubC1: that white parchment. Treat all well 262But let none enter. 263
Pri.And my warrant? 264
Crom.Sir 265My word. If any question, say the General.#pubC1: — 266
Pri.Lord Fairfax? 267
Crom.Aye the good lord-general#pubC1: Lord General 268Shall hear of thy good service, fear#pubC1: . Fear it not. 269Myself shall tell him thy#pubC1: . Thy good service, dearer 270Than half a dozen battles,—better worth,#pubC1: ; better worth 271And richlier guerdoned. Haste! Lord Grey of
Groby 272
Will aid thee to detect the knaves. Away! 273Many#pubC1: Full many a goodly manor shall change masters 274Tomorrow#pubC1: To-morrow 'fore the Sequestrators#pubC1: sequestrators. 275
Exit Pride.#pubC1: (Exit Pride.)
Ire.So! 276That work will be well done. 277
Crom.I loathe myself 278That I employ the mercenary tool; 279But we are in our great aims justified 280Our high and holy purpose. Saints &#pubC1: and prophets 281Have used uncleanly instruments. Good Son#pubC1: son, 282Keep between Fairfax &#pubC1: and these men. The weak 283Wife-ridden Faintling#pubC1: faintling would demur &#pubC1: and dally 284And pause at every step, &#pubC1: and then draw back—#pubC1: , 285Unapt for good or ill. He shall#pubC1: must know nought. 286Re-enter Harrison and Pride.
What make ye here again? 287
Pri.Dost thou not hear? 288A mutiny amongst the soldiers. 289
Har.Nay, 290But half a score malignants, who would fain 291Stir up the soldiery. 292
Crom.And they? 293
Har.They listen, 294But move not. 295
Crom.Seize the traitors. Shoot them dead.#pubC1: ; 296If any murmur still them too. Let death 297Follow offence as closely as the sound 298Of the Harquebuss#pubC1: harquebuss the flash. Art thou not gone? 299What stops thee? 300
Har.
Be more merciful. 301
Crom.Why this 302Is mercy. If thou saw'st one, match in hand, 303Approach a mine hollowed beneath some rich 304And populous town, would'st strike him down at once 305Or wait till he had fired the train?#pubC1: . 306
Har.At once! 307At once! 308
Crom.Well!#pubC1: ?—Go thou too fair son! away! 309I'll follow on the instant. Look I find 310The guilty quiet. 311Exeunt Harrison
&#pubC1: and
Ireton.
We have been too easy 312And fostered
these
malcontents. Yet this swift vengeance 313Will strike a wholesome terror, &#pubC1: and the echo 314May reach to higher miscreants. Good Colonel 315Thou loiterest over long. Go#pubC1: overlong. Go, block the door 316And let none pass, be sure thou let none pass!#pubC1: . Be sure thou let none pass. 317I must to yon poor traitors—#pubC1: . Let none pass. 318
Exeunt.
Scene—An Apartment in Carisbrooke
Castle#pubC1: —An Apartment in Carisbrooke
Castle.
The King &#pubC1: and
Herbert
King.Herbert! 319
Herbert.My liege. 320
King.Put up my book. I wait 321The grave Commissioners, &#pubC1: and to be seen 322
Poring o'er Shakespeare's page—Oh heinous sin! 323Inexpiable deadly sin! 324
Herb.Your Grace 325Speaks cheerily. 326
King.Why I have fed my thoughts 327On the sweet woodland tale, the lovely tale 328Of ArdenneArden
Forest, till the peaceful end, 329The gentle comfortable end, hath
bathed 330My very heart in sunshine. We are here 331Banished as the old Duke, &#pubC1: and friends come round, 332And foes relent, &#pubC1: and calm Forgiveness hangs 333An Angel in the air#pubC1: , in the air, to drop her balm 334On all our wounds. I thank thee royal spirit#pubC1: , royal spirit, 335Thrice princely poet, from whose lightest scene 336Kings may draw comfort. Take yon sprig of bay 337And lay betwixt#pubC1: between the leaves. I marvel much 338Where loiter the Commissioners. 339
Herb.Your grace#pubC1: Grace 340Hath vanquished them so often that they creep 341Fearfully to the field—a beaten foe. 342
King.Nay, we are near agreed. I have granted more 343Than they durst hope#pubC1: think for. They set forth to day 344Bearing my answer to the Commons. Look 345To see a sudden peace!#pubC1: . Many will deem 346I have yielded overmuch; but I keep quick 347The roots of kingly power, albeit the boughs 348Be shrewdly lopped#pubC1: lopt. And then to see again 349My wife, my children!#pubC1: , to reward my poor 350And faithful servants! to walk free! to reign!#pubC1: , to walk free, to reign! 351Look to see sudden peace. 352
Herb.
Heaven speed the day!
353Yet, Sire, forgive my fear, #pubC1: Yet, Sire—forgive my fear!—would thou hadst ta'en 354The proffered means of safety, had escaped 355This Island prison! 356
King.What! when I had pledged 357My word, my royal word! Fie, fie, good Herbert!#pubC1: ! fie! good Herbert; 358Better if danger were#pubC1: , if danger were, a thousand fold 359Perish even here than forfeit that great bond 360Of honour a King's word. Fie! Fie!—Yet#pubC1: , a King's word. Fie! fie! Yet sooth 361Thou mean'st me kindly
Herbert.—Ha. the Sea#pubC1: , Herbert. Ha!#pubC1: , the Sea, 362That day & night hath chased so angrily#pubC1: and night hath chased so angrily, 363Breaking around us with so fierce#pubC1: wild a coil, 364An elemental warder, smiles again, 365Merrily dancing in the cold keen light 366Of the bright wintery sun#pubC1: Sun. We shall have boats 367From EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691. 368
Herb.One hath landed, Sire. 369
King.And they 370May bear my message without pause. Who comes? 371
Enter Hammond.#pubC1: (Enter Hammond.)
HamMay't please you, Sire, the high Commissioners 372Crave audience of your Majesty. 373
King.Admit them. 374
Enter Lord Salisbury, Lord Say, Sir Harry
Vane, &#pubC1: and other Commissioners,
some of them Ministers.
(to Herbert)
See! Vane hath lost his
frown.#pubC1: , Vane hath lost his
frown! We shall have peace. 375
(advancing to the Commissioners.—)
Good morrow my good Lord of Salisbury! 376Lord Say, Sir Harry Vane, & gentles all#pubC1: and gentles all, 377A fair good morrow. The sun smiles at last 378Upon our meeting. 379
Say.
Sunshine after storm!#pubC1: ; 380A happy bodement Sire;#pubC1: omen, Sire, a type of peace. 381
Salis.Yet clouds are gathering. 382
Say.Tush! the noon-day sun 383Will overcome them. 384
Vane.Cease this heathenish talk 385Of omens. Hath your grace prepared your answer 386To the proposals of the Commons? 387
King.Reach 388Yon paper Herbert.
Set ye forth today#pubC1: to-day? 389
Vane.With the next tide. 390
King.So speed ye wind &#pubC1: and wave 391And send ye swiftly hence &#pubC1: , and swiftlier back 392Blest messengers of peace, winged like the dove 393That bore the olive token! Take my answer,—#pubC1: . Take my answer, 394A frank compliance with each Article#pubC1: article 395Save twain, save only twain. 396
Say.And they—I prithee#pubC1: pray thee 397Be wholly gracious Sire! Peril not thus 398Your country's weal, your freedom, & your crown#pubC1: and your crown, 399By timeless reservation. 400
King.I have yielded 401Power & prerogative & state &#pubC1: and prerogative, and state and wealth 402For my dear country. All that was mine own
,
403All that was mine to give I freely gave,—#pubC1: , I freely gave; 404That I withhold is of the conscience. Look 405On these white hairs, and think if one so signed 406Marked for the grave, may for the vain respect
,
407Of crowns or kingdoms offer up his friends 408Or his old worship. Mark me I'll not yield 409
A man of that devoted seven, nor bate 410A word of my accustomed prayer, to save 411My limbs from cankering fetters, or win back 412That velvet prison a throne. No more of this. 413Bear ye my treaty, Sirs, &#pubC1: the treaty, Sirs; and use but half 414That goodly gift of eloquence for me 415That ye to me have shewn, &#pubC1: shown, and be but heard 416With half the grace, 417Subject & King, in peace, in blessed peace.#pubC1: and King, in peace, in blessed peace.— 418
Whoso asks entrance with so wild a din? 419Give him admittance quickly. 420
Vane.Yet my liege#pubC1: , my liege, 421For these seven Cavaliers#pubC1: cavaliers— 422
King.No more! No more! 423Thou hast my answer. #pubC1: —By the iron tread 424A soldier. 425
Enter Harrison.
Salis.Harrison! What brings
thee here#pubC1: hither? 426
Har.A sad and solemn message to your prisoner. 427
King.Speak out thy tidings, speak thine errand, Sir,#pubC1: . Speak thine errand, Sir. 428I am strong-hearted,—sovran#pubC1: . Sovran privilege 429Of them that tower so high,—Strong#pubC1: !—Strong as yon eagle 430That nests amongst#pubC1: among the cliffs. I have borne loads 431That would have sunk a meaner man in gulphs 432Of deep despair. Thine errand!—Stop!—Who#pubC1: . Stop! Who sent thee? 433
Har.The Commons 434
King.Now thine errand. 435
Har.To demand 436The body of Charles Stuart,
sometime King 437Of EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691.#pubC1: — 438
King.Sometime King!#pubC1: ? 439
Har.Whom I attach 440
Of treason. 441
King.Treason & the King! Off Sir#pubC1: and the King! Off, Sir! 442I warn thee touch me not. Some natures feel 443A shuddering loathing at#pubC1: of cold-blooded worms, 444Snakes, aspics, vipers, toads,
—my flesh doth creep 445And shiver if the reptile man approach 446Too closely. Shew#pubC1: Show thy warrant. 447
Har.Look you, Sir, 448The warrant be obeyed. 449
Vane.Dost thou not see 450(to Salisbury)The master-hand#pubC1: master hand of Cromwell in this deed? 451(to Harrison)Where is the General? 452
Har.Come victorious home— 453Knowst#pubC1: Know'st thou not that?—to lend his pious aid 454To our great work. 455
Salis.But thou art from the Commons, 456Not from the Council—sure thou saidst the Commons!—#pubC1: ,—sure thou saidst the Commons? 457And they were earnest for the treaty. 458
Har.Aye 459But in that goodly field grew tares, rank tares, 460Which have been weeded out. Stiff#pubC1: : stiffpresbyters, 461Bitter malignants, &#pubC1: and those sons of wrath 462That falter in the better path,#pubC1: Who falter in the better path— dead boughs 463Upon a noble tree. Some fifty horse 464Swept off the rubbish. 465
Say.But the men are safe? 466
Har.Even as thyself. 467
(to the King)
King.Treason! to arraign 470A crowned King of treason! I am here 471Treating with these same Commons
,
on the faith, 472The general faith of nations. I appeal 473To ye, my foes; to thee, my gaoler. What! 474Stand ye all mute, high lords & learned lawmen#pubC1: ? high lords and learned lawmen, 475And reverend ministers? Ye had glib tongues 476For subtle argument &#pubC1: , and treasonous craft, 477
And cobweb sophistry. Have ye no word 478For faith, for honour? Not one word? Shame! Shame!#pubC1: not one word? Shame! shame! 479
Vane.We are the Commons'
servants, &#pubC1: and must needs 480Obey their mandate#pubC1: mandates. 481
Say.Yet with grief of heart— 482
Har.Silence! 483
King.Aye silence! Sir#pubC1: Aye, silence! Sir, I thank thee yet 484That sparest me that sharpest injury 485A traitor's pity. For that gentle deed 486I yield me gently to thy hands. Lead on 487Where'er thou wilt I follow. 488
Har.Straight to LondonLondon, England | London | England |
51.5073509 -0.12775829999998223
| Capital city of England and the United Kingdom; one the oldest
cities in Western Europe. Major seaport and global trading center at the mouth
of the Thames. From 1831 to 1925, the
largest city in the world.—#lmw51.5073509 -0.12775829999998223. 489To bide thy trial. 490
King.What! Will#pubC1: will they dare that? 491Doth not the very thought, the very word 492Appal the rebels? Trial! When we meet 493Confronted in that regal hall#pubC1: HallPainted Chamber, Westminster Palace, Westminster, London,
England | Westminster | London | England |
51.4994794 -0.12480919999995876
| | A room in Westminster
Palace destroyed during the accidental burning of the
Houses of Parliament
in
1834.—#lmw #rnes51.4994794 -0.12480919999995876, the King 494And his revolted subjects, whoso then 495Shall be the judge? The King! Whoso make inquest?#pubC1: Judge? The King. Whoso make inquest, 496Whoso condemn? And#pubC1: Whoso condemn, and whoso fling a pardon, 497A scornful pardon on your heads? The King!#pubC1: King, 498The King! I tell ye#pubC1: King, I tell ye, Sirs. Come on! I pant 499To meet these judges#pubC1: Judges. For ye, solemn mockers, 500Grave men of peace, (deceivers#pubC1: deceivers or deceived, 501Or false or true boots little)#pubC1: Sincere or false boots little, fare ye well! 502Yet give me yon vain treaty. #pubC1: —Now, by Heaven 503I shame to have communed with ye! This slight paper#pubC1: —This slight paper, 504That shivers at a touch is tough &#pubC1: , is tough and firm 505Mated with such as ye. Bear to the Commons, 506Your masters, yon torn fragments, fitting type 507Of their divided factions! fitting type 508Of ye, men of a broken faith! Farewell! 509Now Sir I wait thee.#pubC1: I wait thy pleasure, Sir. 510
End of Act the First.#pubC1: END OF THE FIRST ACT.
Charles the First.
Act the Second.#pubC1: ACT II.
The Painted Chamber. A table with the
Commissioners lawyers & c seated.#pubC1: Scene—The Painted Chamber. A table at which
are seated Commissioners, Lawyers, &c.; A gothic window behind the table through which objects that pass may be seen.
Bradshaw, Fairfax, Ireton, Downes, Cook,
Marten
Tichburn & c. Fairfax comes forward, followed by
Bradshaw
Ireton & Downes
#pubC1: , Tichburn, &c. Fairfax comes forward, followed by
Bradshaw, Ireton,
and Downes
.
Fairfax.Soon as the day be fixed—apprise me Sirs#pubC1: , apprize me, Sirs; 511The Halberdiers#pubC1: halberdiers shall wait ye. 512
Bradshaw.Good my lord 513Thou wilt not leave us? When did Fairfax
fly 514A post of danger? And his honoured name 515Stands foremost in our roll. 516
Fair.Sir I am sworn 517The soldier of the Commons, &#pubC1: and as soldier 518Obey them loyally. All that ye need 519For state or for defence in this sad pageant 520Our camp shall furnish. Save their General 521You may command the army. For this trial 522I like it not. I am no gownsman. Sir#pubC1: Sirs, 523The Halberdiers#pubC1: halberdiers shall wait ye. 524
Exit Fairfax.#pubC1: (Exit Fairfax.)
Mar.What a nice 525And peevish conscience Fairfax bears! Will
send 526
Arms horses men#pubC1: Arms, horses, men, to escort the prisoner, line 527The Court, defend the Judges#pubC1: judges, guard the scaffold— 528If so our wisdom wills—yet hold himself 529Content & harmless so#pubC1: and harmless, so his single voice 530Swell not the general doom. 531
Dow.Yet 'tis a wise 532And noble gentleman. 533
Brad.Tush! a good swordblade!#pubC1: , 534Keen in the field, but at the Council#pubC1: council dull 535And heavy as
^
#pubC1: as the scabbard. 536Enter Cromwell.Lo! where comes 537One whose bright spirit knows no dimness. Cromwell! 538
Crom.Hear ye the news my masters? Harrison 539That bold and zealous soldier of our IsraelIsrael |
land of Israel
|
31.046051 34.85161199999993
| In Mitford’s time, the ancient
lost kingdom of the Hebrews, known as the "land of Israel." Now the State of
Israel, a unitary parliamentary republic.—#ebb31.046051 34.85161199999993 540Is here. 541
Brad.Where is the King? 542
Crom.The King of Kings[12] A New Testament epithet for Christ, who is called the King of Kings in Revelations 17:2 ("the Lamb
shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings.") See also Revelations
19:16.—#rnes 543Delivers him unto us. Harrison 544Awaits his landing. We must be prepared 545For instant trial. Glad am I &#pubC1: and proud 546To greet with looks so firm & confident#pubC1: and resolute 547This full &#pubC1: and frequent council. 548
Brad.Yet you met 549A great one who forsakes us. 550
Crom.The Lord-General#pubC1: Lord General? 551Why on the battle-day such loss might cause 552An hour's perplexity. Now—Hark ye
,
Sirs! 553Passing awhile Lord Fairfax' door I saw 554The Queen. 555
Ire.
#pubC1:
In EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691! Didst thou see her face? 556
Crom.No! but#pubC1: . But I knew her by the wanton curls, 557The mincing delicate step of pride, the gait 558Erect and lofty. 'Twas herself, I say, 559Vain Jezabel! 560
Dow.At Fairfax' gate! Alas#pubC1: 's gate! Alas! 561Poor lady! 562
Crom.(Aside)Ha! And must we watch thee too? 563
(Aloud)
No word of this good Sirs!#pubC1: . 564(going to the Table#pubC1: table)Why master Cook 565What needs this long I#pubC1: indictment? Seems to me 566Thou dost mistake our cause. The crime is not 567A trivial larceny, where some poor thief 568Is fenced &#pubC1: and hemmed in by a form of words 569In tedious repetition, endless links 570Of the
long
strong chain of law, lest at some loophole 571The paltry wretch escape. We try a King, 572In the stern name of Justice. Fling aside 573These cumbering subtleties, this maze of words, 574And in brief homely phrase, such as the soldier 575May con over his watchfire, or the milkmaid#pubC1: milk-maid 576Wonderingly murmur as she tends her kine, 577Or the young boy trace in his first huge scroll, 578Or younger girl sew in her sampler, say 579That we arraign Charles Stuart King of England 580For warring on his people. Let this deed 581Be clear &#pubC1: and open as beseems the men 582On whom the Lord hath set his seal. Besides 583That will let loose thy stream of eloquence 584
Ice-bound by this cold freezing plea. What says 585Our learned President.#pubC1: ? 586
Brad.Thou art right!#pubC1: . Thou art right. 587Our fair intent needs not a veil. Be sure 588He shall have noble trial &#pubC1: and speedy, such 589As may beseem a King. 590
Dow.What is his bearing? 591
Crom.Resolved & confident. Last night#pubC1: and confident. Lately at Windsor 592Eating a Spanish melon of choice flavour 593He bade his servant, Herbert,#pubC1: servant Herbert send the seeds 594To be sowed straight at Hampton. 595
Mar.Many men 596Plant acorns for their successors. This#pubC1: ; this King sets 597A gourd. 598
Crom.The
prophet's#pubC1: Prophet's
gourd. We are all mortal. 599Sow but a grain of mustard[13] An allusion to the New Testament parable of the mustardseed (Matthew 17:20)—#rnes, the green thing 600That soonest springs from death to life, & thou#pubC1: Which soonest springs from death to life, and thou 601Shalt wither ere the leaflets shoot. 602
Ire.The King 603Deems that we dare not try him. 604
Brad.Dare not! Cromwell 605How soon dost think— 606
Crom.Was't not the plash of oars? 607
Brad.Cromwell! 608
Ire.He hears thee not. His sense rejects 609All sounds#pubC1: sound save that for which with such intense 610And breathless#pubC1: passionate zeal he listens. See his cheek 611Quivers with expectation. Its old hue 612Of ruddy brown is gone. 613
Crom.Hark! hark!#pubC1: Hark! my masters! 614
He is come! He is come! We are about to do 615A deed which shall draw on us
questioning eyes 616From the astonied#pubC1: astonished nations.
Kings
Men shall gaze 617Afeared &#pubC1: and wondering on this spot of earth 618As on a comet in the Heavens, fatal 619To Kings of old. Start ye? Why at the first 620I started, as a man who in a dream 621Sees indistinct &#pubC1: and terrible grim forms 622Of Death & Danger#pubC1: death and danger float before his glazed 623And powerless eyes:—#pubC1: wondering eyes; but then as one who wakes 624The inspiring light fell on me, &#pubC1: and I saw 625The Guiding Hand#pubC1: guiding hand of Providence visibly 626Beckoning to the great combat. We are His soldiers 627Following the Cloud by day, the Fire by night— 628And shall we not be constant? We are arrayed 629Against the stiff combined embodied spirits 630Of prelacy & tyranny#pubC1: and tyranny:—Shall we not 631Be bold? 632(The King, Herbert, Harrison, guards &c pass the window#pubC1:
Harrison, &c. pass the window)See! See! He passes.#pubC1: he passes! So shall pass 633The Oppressor#pubC1: oppressor from the earth. His very shadow 634The very traces of his foot are gone 635And the English ground is free, the English air 636Free, free.—All praise be to His Mighty Name#pubC1: !—All praise be to His mighty name! 637This is the crowning work. 638
The Scene closes.#pubC1: (The Scene closes.)
Scene—A gallery near the King's prison#pubC1: —A Gallery leading to the King's
Prison
.
The Queen, Lady Fairfax, a
Centinel.
Lady Fairfax.Another guard! The pass-word that hath served us 639
Through court & gate & hall will fail us here,#pubC1: court, and gate, and hall, will fail us here; 640This is the immediate prison of the King. 641Say, royal#pubC1: Royal Madam, had we best accost 642Yon centinel? 643
Queen.The prison of the King! 644And I have lived to hear those words
,
that pierce 645My heart like daggers
,
spoken familiarly 646As she would say Good den, or Fare#pubC1: good day or fare ye well! 647The prison of the King! EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691 hath
been 648His prison, but this one leads#pubC1: —but this one leads—My
lady#pubC1: Lady Fairfax 649Command him to admit us. 650
Lady F.He draws nigh. 651
Centinel.Fair mistresses how won ye here? This gallery 652Leads to the prisoner's chambers. 653
Queen.#pubC1: Lady F.
We would see him. 654Admit us!#pubC1: . 655
Cent.Be ye frenetic? Know ye not 656That save the Lords Commissioners none dare 657Approach the prisoner? 658
Queen.Say the King. 659
Cent.Who art thou 660That speak'st with such command? 661
Lady F.
me
#pubC1: Know'st thou not me?Knowst thou not me?
me
662Thy General's wife?#pubC1: . 663
Cent.I am of Cromwell's soldiers 664And own no woman's rule. 665
Queen.Admit us slave#pubC1: , slave! 666I am the Queen, thy Queen, the Queen of
EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691,#pubC1: ! 667Make way!#pubC1: . 668
Cent.Stand back I say. 669
Queen.
I am a wife 670Seeking her husband in his prison! Soldier#pubC1: . Soldier, 671If thou have a man's heart! 672
Lady F.Here's money for thee 673Admit her. 674
Cent.I have fought in twenty fields
,
675A Veteran of the cause. Put up thy gold;#pubC1: A veteran of the cause. Put up your gold. 676And, Madam#pubC1: madam, please you home! 677
Queen.Here is my home 678My husband's prison gate—I'll live here, die here;#pubC1: . I'll live here, die here, 679Here will I watch without
,
as he within, 680Till Death the great Deliverer#pubC1: death, the great deliverer comes to free 681The Captives; this#pubC1: captives. This shall be my grave. Charles!Charles! 682
Lady F.Peace! peace#pubC1: Peace! 683
Queen.I thought I heard him. Charles! My#pubC1: myCharles! 684My King! My husband#pubC1: Husband! 685
Cent.There are many chambers 686Between thee & the King. I prythee hence.#pubC1: and the King. I prythee hence! 687
Lady F.Madam take patience. 688
Queen.Charles! He must be
dead 689Already that he answers not. 690
Enter Cromwell.
Crom.What means 691This clamourous din of female tongues so near 692The prison of the King? The
lady#pubC1: Lady Fairfax! 693
Queen.Cromwell! 694
Crom.The Queen! 695
Queen.Cromwell
!
I hated thee 696Yet open yonder door &#pubC1: , and I'll pray for thee 697All my life long. That#pubC1: Yon churlish centinel— 698
Crom.
Did but his duty.
—
Lead her to her husband. 699
Queen.Be quick! Be quick! 700
Crom.The word is Naseby.Naseby, Northamptonshire, England | Naseby | Northamptonshire | England |
52.3954519 -0.9885334000000512
| Village in Northamptonshire, the site of the Battle of
Naseby on 14 June 1645, the decisive
Parliamentary victory in the English Civil War.—#rnes #lmw52.3954519 -0.9885334000000512 701
Queen.On 702Be quick!#pubC1: . Be quick! 703
Exeunt the Queen & the Centinel.#pubC1: (Exeunt Queen and Centinel )
Crom.Now my good lady#pubC1: Lady Fairfax!#pubC1: ,
704Right well beseemeth christian charity 705To succour them that suffer,#pubC1: ; howsoe'er 706'Mid#pubC1: Midst strict professors it may breed some marvel 707That one so famed for rigid sanctity, 708The gravest matron of the land
,
should herd 709With yonder woman. 710
Lady F.With the Queen? 711
Crom.A papist; 712A rank Idolater; a mumming masquer; 713A troller of lewd songs; a wanton dancer; 714A vain upholder of that strength of Satan 715The Playhouse#pubC1: playhouse. They that be so eminent 716As thou will find maligners. 'Tis#pubC1: ; 'tis the curse 717Of our poor fallen nature. Be not seen 718Hovering about these walls. I speak in love 719Of the
lord-general#pubC1: Lord General
. 720
Lady F.The
lord-general#pubC1: Lord General
, 721And many a godly minister, &#pubC1: and I, 722Weak woman though I be, mourn that these walls 723Should come between the King &#pubC1: and people. Peace 724Had been a holier bond. 725
Crom.Peace! that our General 726The good lord#pubC1: Lord Fairfax, Captain of the guard, 727May#pubC1: Should tend the popish ladies to their mass— 728A high promotion! Peace! That every dungeon 729May swarm with pious ministers—forget they 730Their old oppressions? Peace! That#pubC1: that the grave matron 731The
lady#pubC1: Lady Fairfax may with troubled thoughts 732Sit witness of lewd revels;—mock &#pubC1: mock and scorn 733Of the light dames of the chamber &#pubC1: , and the lordlings 734Their gallants,—popinjays, who scoff &#pubC1: ;—popinjays who scoff and jeer 735At the staid solemn port, the decent coif, 736The modest kerchief—I have heard such jibes—#pubC1: . I have heard such jeers 737When the gay Queen hath laughed#pubC1: yon gay Queen hath laughed. 738
Lady F.What! Hath she dared#pubC1: Laughed! Hath she dared! 739Vain minion! 740
Crom.And to see thee with her! Thou 741That shouldst have been a Jael in this land, 742A Deborah, a Judith.#pubC1: ! 743
Lady F.Nay we live 744Under a milder law. Whate'er their crimes 745Urge not this bloody trial. 746
Crom.Whoso saith 747That the trial shall be bloody? He who reads 748All hearts He only knows how my soul yearns 749Toward yonder pair. I seek them now, a friend, 750With friendly proffers. As we reach thy coach 751I'll tell thee more. Come Madam#pubC1: , madam! 752
Exeunt.#pubC1: (Exeunt.)
The scene opens & shews the King's Apartment#pubC1: —The King's Apartments
The King, Herbert.#pubC1: The King and Herbert.
King.Herbert! 753
Her.
An#pubC1: An please your Majesty. 754
King.Go seek 755The General. 756
Her.Fairfax? 757
King.Cromwell!
Cromwell!
Say#pubC1: say 758The King commands his presence. 759
Exit Herbert.#pubC1: (Exit Herbert)
To forerun him;#pubC1: fore-run him, 760To plunge at once into this stormy sea 761Of griefs;#pubC1: , to summon my great foe;#pubC1: , to front 762The obdurate Commons, the fanatic army 763Even the mock Judges#pubC1: judges, they who dare to reign 764Over a King—#pubC1: , to breast them all! Then trial, 765Or peace! Death or the crown! Rest comes with either 766To me & England, comfortable
rest#pubC1: and England, comfortable
rest, 767After my many wanderings. 768
Enter the Queen
.
Queen.Do not my tears give answer? Did that vision 773Rain drops of joy like these? 774
King.To see thee here 775Is to be young &#pubC1: and free again, again 776A bridegroom &#pubC1: and a King. 777
Queen.Ever my King! 778
King.I have heard nothing like that voice of hope 779Since we were parted!#pubC1: . 780
Queen.Wherefore dost thou pause? 781Why gaze on me so mournfully? 782
King.
Alas! 783Thou art pale, my Henrietta, very pale; 784And this dear hand that was so round &#pubC1: and fair 785Is thin & wan, #pubC1: and wan—Oh very wan! 786
Queen.'Twas pining 787For thee that made it so. Think on the cause, 788And thoult#pubC1: thou'lt not mourn its beauty. 789
King.And this grief, 790Will kill her! Joined to any other man 791She might have lived on in her loveliness 792For half an age—She's mine, & she must#pubC1: . She's mine, and she will die. 793Oh this is a sad meeting! I have longed 794Have prayed to see thee!—Now—Would thou wert#pubC1: —now—Would thou wast safe 795In FranceFrance |
46.227638 2.213749000000007
| Country in western Europe. Paris is the capital and largest city.—#bas46.227638 2.213749000000007 again, my Dear-One#pubC1: dear one! 796
Queen.Say not so,#pubC1: . 797I bring thee comfort safety. Holland, FranceFrance |
46.227638 2.213749000000007
| Country in western Europe. Paris is the capital and largest city.—#bas46.227638 2.213749000000007
798Are firmly with thee; save the army all 799This rebel EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
is thine own; &#pubC1: and e'en 800Amid the Army
some the greatest, some 801That call themselves Thy Judges;—#pubC1: thy judges. 'Tis the turn 802Of Fate,#pubC1: fate; the reflux of the tide. 803
King.Forget not 804That I'm a prisoner, sweet-one,#pubC1: I am a prisoner, sweet-one; a foredoomed 805Discrowned prisoner. As erewhile I passed 806Sadly along, a soldier in his mood 807Spat on me; none rebuked him, none cried shame,#pubC1: : none rebuked him; none cried shame; 808None cleft the coward to the earth,—
#pubC1: . 809
810
Queen.Oh traitors! 811Oh sacrilegious rebels! Let my lips 812Wipe off that scorn! My Charles#pubC1: . My Charles, thou shalt resume 813
Thy state, shalt sit enthroned a judge a King#pubC1: , a judge, a King, 814Even in the solemn
hall#pubC1: Hall
, the lofty seat 815Of their predestined treason. For thy life 816It is assured—Lord
Broghill&#pubC1: and a band 817Of faithful Cavaliers—But thou shalt reign. 818
King.Dost thou remember Cromwell? Ere thou quittedst#pubC1: quitted'st 819EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
,
he was most like the delving worm 820Hypocrisy; that slough is cast, &#pubC1: and now 821His strong &#pubC1: and shining wings soar high in air 822As proud ambition. First demand of him 823What King shall reign. 824
Queen.He is my trust. 825
King.Hast seen him? 826
Queen.He sent me to thee now. 827
King.Ha! W#pubC1: , wherefore? But I've learnt#pubC1: ! But I've learned to trust in nought 828Save Heaven. Since thou art here I am content 829To live &#pubC1: and reign, but all in honour. I'll 830Renounce no creed, resign no friend, abandon 831No right or liberty of this abused 832Misguided people,—no!#pubC1: ; no nor bate one jot 833Of the old prerogative,
my
#pubC1:
my
privilege, 834The right divine of Kings. Death were to me 835As welcome as his pleasant evening rest 836To the poor way worn traveller, &#pubC1: way-worn traveller;—And yet 837I fain would live for thee—cheer up fair wife!#pubC1: Cheer up, fair wife!— 838Would live for love &#pubC1: and thee. Hast seen thy
children? 839
Queen.Not yet. They say Elizabeth whose face 840Even when a little child resembled thine 841To wonder, hath pined after thee &#pubC1: , and fed 842Her love by thinking on thee, till she hath stolen 843
Unconsciously thy mien &#pubC1: and tone &#pubC1: and words 844Of patient pensiveness,#pubC1: ; a dignity 845Of youthful sorrow, beautiful &#pubC1: and sad. 846
King.Poor child! poor child! a woeful heritage! 847When I have gazed on the sweet seriousness 848Of her young beauty, I have pictured her 849In the bright May of life, a Queenly bride, 850Standing afore the altar with that look 851Royal & calm &#pubC1: Regal and calm, and pure as the azure skies 852Of Paradise ere tears were born. Now 853Enter Cromwell.Cromwell! 854
Crom.Did'st thou desire my presence? 855
King.I sent for thee 856To bear my message to thy comrades. 857
Crom.Sir, 858I wait your pleasure. I would welcome you#pubC1: thy pleasure. I would welcome thee 859Unto this goodly city— 860
King.Doth the Gaoler#pubC1: gaoler 861Welcome his prisoner? I am Charles Stuart, 862And thou—Now shame on this rebellious blood! 863I thought that it was disciplined &#pubC1: and schooled 864Into proud patience. Let me not appear 865Discourteous. Sir the King is bounden to thee.#pubC1: —Sir, the King is bounden to thee! 866Now hear mine errand. 867
Queen.First#pubC1: Tush, hear me! 868
Crom.The Queen 869
Queen.Fie! doff this strangeness, when it was thyself 870That sent me hither.#pubC1: ! Cast aside the smooth 871Obedient looks that hide thy thoughts, be#pubC1: which hide thy thoughts. Be plain 872
And honest
Cromwell. 873
Crom.I have ever been so. 874
Queen.Open in speech & heart#pubC1: and heart, even as myself
,
875When I, thy Queen, hold out the hand of peace 876And amity, &#pubC1: and bid thee say what title 877The King shall give to his great General. 878
Crom.None. 879Thou badst#pubC1: bad'st me answer plainly. 880
Queen.Yet thou wast 881Ambitious once. 882
Crom.Grant that I were,—as well 883I trust I had more grace,—but say I were so, 884Thinkst#pubC1: Think'st thou not there be homely names which sound 885As sweetly in men's ears? Which#pubC1: which shall outlive 886A thousand titles in that book of fame 887History? All praise be to the Lord I'm#pubC1: I am not 888Ambitious. 889
Queen.Chuse thine office. Keep the name 890Thy sword hath rendered famous. Be l#pubC1: Lord Vicar,#pubC1: ; 891Be Captain of the Guard. Forbid this trial—#pubC1: ; forbid this suit— 892Thou canst#pubC1: can'st an if thou wilt—be Charles's friend
,
893And second man of the Kingdom#pubC1: in the kingdom. 894
Crom.Second! Speakst#pubC1: Speak'st thou 895These tempting words to me? I nor preside 896O'er Court#pubC1: court or Parliament; I am not, Madam, 897Lord General of the
Army. Seek those great ones—#pubC1: . 898My place is in the ranks. Wouldst#pubC1: Would'st thou make me 899The second in the kingdom? Seek those great ones—#pubC1: . 900The second! 901
Queen.Thou, & well thou know'st it#pubC1: and well thou know'st it, Cromwell, 902
Art the main prop of this rebellion. General#pubC1: Art the main prop of this rebellion! General, 903Lord President what are they but thy tools, 904Thy puppets, moved by thy directing will 905As chessmen by the skilful player?#pubC1: . 'Tis thou 906That art the Master Spirit of the Time#pubC1: master-spirit of the time, 907Idol of people &#pubC1: and of army, leader 908Of the fanatic
commons#pubC1: Commons, judge, sole judge,
909Of this unrighteous cause. 910
Crom.And she would make me 911The second man of the kingdom! Thou but troublest 912Thyself &#pubC1: and me. 913
Queen.Yet hear me but one word!#pubC1: . 914
Crom.No more of bribes—thou badst me to speak plainly,—#pubC1: !—thou bad'st me to speak plainly: 915Thou hast been bred in courts &#pubC1: and deemest them 916Omnipotent o'er all; but#pubC1: . But I eschew 917The Mammon of Unrighteousness.—I#pubC1: unrighteousness. I warn ye 918Ye shall learn faith in one man's honesty 919Before ye die. 920
Queen.Never in thine.#pubC1: ! At HolmbyHolmby House, Althorp, Northamptonshire, England |
Holdenby House
| Holdenby | Northamptonshire | England |
52.303791 -0.985606999999959
| Country house estate in Holdenby, near Althorp,
Northamptonshire where King Charles
I was held captive in 1647 before being
turned over to the Long Parliament. The original mansion, built in 1583, was
almost entirely demolished in the seventeenth century; subsequent renovations
have left little remaining of the original.—#ebb #lmw52.303791 -0.985606999999959 921We trusted. Fool to think—'Twas not in fear—#pubC1: —Fool again—'Twas not in fear; 922I dread thee not. Thou dar'st not try the King. 923The very word stands as a double guard, 924A triple armour, a bright shield before him; 925A sacred halo plays around the head 926Anointed &#pubC1: and
endiademmed#pubC1: endiademed, a dim 927Mysterious glory. Who may dare to call 928For justice on a King? Who dare to touch 929The crowned &#pubC1: and lofty head? 930
Crom.Was it at
Hardwicke
#pubC1: Hardwick, 931Or FotheringayFotheringhay Castle, Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire,
England |
Fotheringay Castle
| Fotheringhay | Northamptonshire | England |
52.526409 -0.43752500000005057
| Castle in the village of Fotheringhay where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned,
tried, and
executed in 1587. Also the birthplace of King Richard III. Alternate spelling
"Fotheringay."—#rnes #lmw52.526409 -0.43752500000005057—fie on my dull brain!—#pubC1: ,—fie on my dull brain— 932
That the fair Queen of Scots, the
popish woman, 933The beautiful, his Grandame,#pubC1: grandame died?[14] Mitford's Cromwell is confused over where
Mary Queen of Scots was immprisoned and executed, an historical event that of course foreshadows the
events of King Charles's imprisonment, trial, and regicide. His mention of "Hardwicke" seems to refer to
Hardwick HallHardwick Hall, Derbyshire, England |
53.168791 -1.3087262000000237
| Palatial Elizabethan country house in
Derbyshire in the north Midlands of England, built
between 1590 and 1597 by the wealthy
Bess of Hardwick. Mentioned in
the play, Charles the First. Now owned
by the National Trust. |
|
—#ebb53.168791 -1.3087262000000237, built by Bess of Hardwick (or Elizabeth Talbot), but the queen was never held here. Likely Mitford is referring through Cromwell to the period when Mary Queen of Scots was held captive at Sheffield Castle and Manor LodgeSheffield Castle and Manor Lodge |
Sheffield
Yorkshire
England
|
53.3843613 -1.4639856000000009
| Location where Mary Queen of
Scots was held captive in 1568 by order
of Queen Elizabeth I. Here, Mary was guarded
by George Talbot, the Sixth Earl of
Shrewsbury, and his wife, Elizabeth Talbot or "Bess of Hardwick" befriended the royal
captive. There are no standing remains of the castle, since the site has been
covered over by a market district. Only partial foundations have been
discovered during the excavation and renovations for buildings in the area.—#ebb #jmh53.3843613 -1.4639856000000009, guarded by George Talbot, the Sixth Earl of Shrewsbury and his wife, who was Bess of Hardwick. Bess befriended the Queen during this period
of captivity.—#ebb 934
Queen.A Queen 935A vain &#pubC1: and envious woman, yet a Queen, 936Condemned Queen
Mary. Ye are subjects, rebels, 937Ye dare not try your King; all else ye may do; 938All else ye have done; fought, imprisoned, chased, 939Aye tracked &#pubC1: and hunted, like that pious Henry 940The last of the red-rose, whom visiting 941Helpless in prison, his arch enemy 942The fiendish
Richard slew;—even as perchance— 943
Crom.Shame on thy slanderous tongue! There lies my sword. 944
(flinging it down)
Didst take me for a murderer? Royal Madam Harken, Madam,#pubC1: Did'st take me for a murderer? Harken, Madam; 945When thou
shalt speak again of Henry's fate,#pubC1: When thou shalt speak again of Henry's death, 946Remember 'twas the restless shrew of Anjou 947That drove her gentle husband to his end. 948
King.Take up the sword! and wife#pubC1: ; and, wife, I prythee peace! 949I yet am King enough to end these brawls. 950Take up thy sword!—Albeit my breast be bare#pubC1: Albeit my breast be bare, 951And I unarmed before
thee
him, he'll not strike,#pubC1: . 952That were an honest murder. There be ways 953Stiller &#pubC1: and darker; there be men whose craft 954Can doom with other tongues;#pubC1: , with other hands 955Can slay.—I know thee#pubC1: I know thee, Sir. 956
Crom.I would not slay 957A sinner unprepared. 958
King.Go to! I know thee. 959Say to the Parliament that I demand 960A conference; lords &#pubC1: Lords andCommons. 961
Crom.
Sir the Commons 962Will grant no conference. Thou must address thee 963To the High Court of Justice, to thy Judges#pubC1: judges. 964
King.Oh vain &#pubC1: and shallow treason! Have ye not 965The King's high court? the Judges#pubC1: High Court, the judges of the land? 966I own no other. Yet if they— 967
Crom.Expect 968Nothing of them but Justice. I came to thee#pubC1: justice. I came to thee, 969As to a brother, in pure charity, 970In meek & christian#pubC1: and Christian love, when these sharp taunts 971Arose betwixt us. Still I fain would save thee—#pubC1: . 972Resign the crown. 973
King.Never. 974
Crom.Oh vanity 975Of man's proud heart! Cling to that sinful toy,#pubC1: cling to that sinful toy 976A sound, an echo, a dim shadow weakening 977As the true substance flies—cling to that word, 978And cast away thy life! 979
King.Hold Henrietta! 980What dost#pubC1: ! Dost thou ask me for so poor a boon 981As life to change fair Honour? I've a son#pubC1: honour? I've a son, 982A gallant princely boy—Wouldst#pubC1: would'st have me yield 983The old ancestral crown his heritage#pubC1: , his heritage, 984For the small privilege to crawl awhile 985On this vile earth, mated with fouler worms 986Than they that feed below? Wouldst#pubC1: sleep below? Would'st have me sell 987My Kingdom for a little breath? 988
Crom.Thy Kingdom! 989Thou hast not a strong hold#pubC1: stronghold left. 990
King.I have one here. 991
Thou know'st my answer. 992
Queen.Yet if there be danger— 993
King.Peace, dearest, peace! Is the day fixed? 994
Crom.The day, 995The very hour is set. At noon tomorrow, 996Heaven permitting!#pubC1: — 997
King.The decrees of Heaven 998Be oft to man's dark mind inscrutable.#pubC1: : 999The lightning flame hath scorched#pubC1: fired the straw-thatched roof 1000Of harmless cottagers, hath rent the spire 1001Of consecrated temples, hath struck down 1002Even the dumb innocent oak that never lied
,
1003Never rebelled, never blasphemed. A veil 1004Hangs before Heaven's high purpose; yet#pubC1: . Yet when man 1005Slays man, albeit no King, a reckoning comes
.
1006A deep & aweful#pubC1: and awful reckoning. I'll abide 1007The trial. 1008
Crom.At thy peril. 1009
End of the Second Act.#pubC1: END OF THE SECOND ACT.
Charles the First
Act the Third.#pubC1:
Act III.
Scene—Westminster Hall fitted up for
the King's trial—#pubC1:
Westminster Hall fitted up for the King's
trial.
Bradshaw, seated as President;—Cromwell, Ireton, Harrison, Downes, Marten, Millington, & other Judges on benches;—Cook & other lawyers clerks &c. at a table;—The Queen & the Lady Fairfax veiled, with other ladies in a gallery;—a chair of state on one side for the King;—the whole stage filled with spectators guards &c.#pubC1:
Bradshaw, seated as President; Cromwell, Ireton, Harrison, Downes, Marten, Tichburne, and other Judges on benches; Cook, and other Lawyers, Clerks, &c., at a table; a chair of State for the King on one side; the Queen, veiled, and other Ladies in a Gallery behind; the whole stage filled with Guards
Spectators, &c., &c.
Brad.Hath every name been called? And every Judge 1010Appeared at the high summons? 1011
Clerk.Good my lord#pubC1: Lord, 1012Each one hath answered. 1013
Ire.(to Cromwell)The
Lord-General#pubC1: Lord General
1014Is wanting still. 1015
Crom.The better. 1016
Ire.How? 1017
Crom.Fair son
,
1018We have enow of work—Doth not yon#pubC1: you cry 1019Announce the prisoner?—enow of work 1020For one brief day without him.—Downes sit here
,
1021Beside me man!—We lack not waverers,#pubC1: .—We lack not waverers; 1022Men whose long doubts would hold from rosy dawn 1023To the slow lighting of the evening star 1024In the clear Heaven of June. Of such as they 1025
One were too many. How say'st thou good Downes? 1026
Dow.Even as thou say'st. 1027
Crom.Yet 'tis a godly General—#pubC1: valiant General, 1028A valiant & a godly#pubC1: godly and a valiant. Ha! the prisoner! 1029
Enter King Charles, attended by Herbert & other servants, Hacker & guards.#pubC1: Enter the King, Herbert, and other Servants, Hacker and guards.
The Soldiers &c as the King walks to his Chair cry Justice! Justice!#pubC1: (The Soldiers &c. as the King walks to his chair cry Justice! Justice!)
Cryer.#pubC1: Crier.
Peace! Silence in the Court.#pubC1: silence in the court! 1030
Brad.Ye shall have justice. 1031My lords#pubC1: LordsCommissioners, whilst I
stood pausing 1032How fitliest to disclose our mighty plea, 1033Dallying with phrase &#pubC1: and form, yon eager cry 1034Shot like an arrow to the mark, laying bare 1035The very core of our intent. Sirs, we 1036Are met to render justice, met to judge 1037In such a cause as scarce yon ardent#pubC1: the lucent sun 1038That smiles upon us from his throne hath seen 1039Since light was born. We sit to judge a King 1040Arraigned by his own people; to make inquest 1041Into the innocent blood which hath been spilt#pubC1: spilled 1042Like water; into crime &#pubC1: and tyranny, 1043Treason &#pubC1: and murder. Look that we be pure 1044My brethren! that we cast from out our hearts 1045All blinding passions;—Fear that blinks & trembles#pubC1: : Fear that blinks and trembles 1046At shadows ere they come; Pride that walks dazzled 1047In the light of her vain glory#pubC1: vainglory; feeble Pity 1048Whose sight is drowned in tears; &#pubC1: quenched in tears; and grim Revenge 1049Her fierce eyes sealed with gore. Look that we chase 1050
Each frail affection, each close
hidden sin, 1051Each meaner virtue from our breasts, &#pubC1: hearts, and cling 1052To Justice, only Justice. Now for thee 1053Charles Stuart King
of EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691.#pubC1: : Thou art here 1054To render compt of awful crimes, of treason 1055Conspiracy &#pubC1: and murder. Answer! 1056
Cook.First 1057May it please you hear the charge.#pubC1: ? 1058
King.Stop.#pubC1: ! Who are ye 1059That dare to question me? 1060
Brad.Thy Judges. 1061
King.Say 1062My subjects. I am a King
,
whom none may judge 1063On earth. Who sent ye here.#pubC1: ? 1064
Brad.The Commons. 1065
King.What! 1066Be there no traitors, no conspirators
,
1067No murderers
,
save Kings, that
they
#pubC1: they dare call 1068Stern Justice#pubC1: justice down from Heaven? Sir I fling back 1069The charge upon their heads, the guilt the shame, 1070The eternal infamy,—on them
,
who sowed 1071The tares of hate in fields of love; who armed 1072Brother gainst#pubC1: 'gainst brother, breaking the sweet peace 1073Of country innocence, the holy ties 1074Of Nature#pubC1: nature breaking, making war accurst 1075As that Egyptian plague the worst &#pubC1: and last 1076When the First-born were slain. I have no answer 1077[15] References the plagues in the Old Testament Book of Exodus, chapters 11-12, brought upon the Eqyptians to convince the Pharoah
to release the Israelites from slavery. In the final plague, the Egyptians' first-born
sons are killed by divine vengeance while the homes of the Israelites are passed over
and their sons escape.—#rnesFor them or ye. I know ye not. 1078
Brad.Be warned; 1079
Plead to the accusation. 1080
King.I will die 1081A thousand deaths, rather than by my breath 1082Give life to this new court against the laws 1083And liberties of EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691. 1084
Brad.Sir we know 1085Your love of liberty &#pubC1: andEnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691. Call 1086The witnesses. Be they in court? 1087
Cook.They wait 1088Without. 1089
Brad.Send for them quickly. Once again 1090King wilt thou plead? 1091
King.Thou hast my answer. Never.#pubC1: , never. 1092
(A pause of a few moments, during which the head of the King's
staff, on which he was leaning falls and rolls across the stage.#pubC1: (A pause of a few moments during which the head of the King's
staff on which he was leaning falls and rolls across the stage.)
Mar.
What fell? The breathless silence of this vast 1093And crowded court gives to each common sound 1094A startling clearness. What hath fallen? 1095
Ire.The head 1096Of the King's staff. See how it spins and bounds 1097Along the floor, as hurrying to forsake 1098The royal wretch its master. Now it stops 1099At Cromwell's
feet—direct at Cromwell's feet. 1100
Crom.The toy is broken 1101
Har.What is the device? 1102Some vain idolatrous#pubC1: Idolatrous image? 1103
Crom.No, a crown,#pubC1: ; 1104A golden#pubC1: gilded crown, a hollow glittering crown, 1105Shaped by some quaint &#pubC1: and cunning goldsmith. Look 1106
On what a reed he leans, who props himself 1107On such a bauble!#pubC1: . 1108
Dow.It rolled straight to thee; 1109If thou wast superstitious— 1110
Crom.Pass the toy 1111On to the prisoner;#pubC1: ! he hath faith in omens— 1112I—Fling him back his gew-gaw.#pubC1: fling him back his gewgaw! 1113
Brad.Master Cook 1114We wait too long. 1115
Cook.My Lord the witnesses— 1116
Brad.Call any man. Within our bleeding land 1117There lives not one so blest in ignorance 1118As not to know this treason; none#pubC1: . None so high 1119But the storm overtopped him; none so low 1120But the wind stooped to root him up. Call any 1121The Judge upon the bench, the Halberdier 1122That guards the door. 1123
Cook.Oliver
Cromwell! 1124
Crom.Aye? 1125
Cook.No need to swear him!#pubC1: . He hath ta'en already 1126The Judge's#pubC1: Judges' oath. 1127
Crom.The Judge's#pubC1: Judges' oath, not this. 1128Omit no form of guardian law;#pubC1: , remember 1129The life of man hangs on our lips. 1130
King.Smooth traitor! 1131
Cromwell is sworn.#pubC1: (Cromwell is
sworn.)
Cook.Lieutenant General Cromwell wast thou present 1132In the great fight of Naseby?Naseby, Northamptonshire, England | Naseby | Northamptonshire | England |
52.3954519 -0.9885334000000512
| Village in Northamptonshire, the site of the Battle of
Naseby on 14 June 1645, the decisive
Parliamentary victory in the English Civil War.—#rnes #lmw52.3954519 -0.9885334000000512 1133
Crom.Was I present! 1134Why I think ye know that. I was. 1135
Cook.
Didst see 1136The prisoner in the battle? 1137
Crom.Many times. 1138He led his army,
in a better cause 1139I should have said right gallantly. I saw him 1140First in the onset, last in the retreat. 1141That justice let me pay the King. 1142
Brad.Raised he 1143His banner 'gainst his people? Didst thou see 1144The royal standard in the field? 1145
Crom.My lord#pubC1: Lord 1146It rose full in the centre of their host 1147Floating upon the heavy air. 1148
Cook.The arms 1149Of EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691? 1150
Crom.Aye; the very lion-shield#pubC1: , the very lion shield 1151That waved at CressiCrécyCrécy, Picardy, France | Crécy | Picardy | France |
50.252468 1.8828919999999698
| Village in northern France. Location of the Battle of
Crécy in 1436, during which Edward
III of England and his
allied troops achieved a significant victory over France in the Hundred Years’ War.—#rnes #lmw50.252468 1.8828919999999698&#pubC1: and at AzincourtAgincourtAgincourt, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France | Agincourt | Meurthe-et-Moselle | France |
48.73204 6.236217000000011
| Agincourt is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle
department in northeastern France. In
English history, best-known as the location of the Battle of Agincourt in 1415,
where Henry V consolidated his conquest of France. This event is memorialized in
Shakespeare’s play Henry V
.—#rnes #lmw48.73204 6.236217000000011 1152Triumphant. None may better know than I 1153For it so pleased the Ruler of the Field, 1154The Almighty King of Battles, that my arm 1155Struck down the Standard-Bearer, &#pubC1: standard-bearer and restored 1156The English lion to
the lion hearts 1157Of EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691. 1158
Cook.Please you, Sir, retire. Now summon— 1159
King.Call not another. What I have done boldly 1160In the face of day & of the nation, that,—#pubC1: and of the nation, that, 1161Nothing repenting, nothing derogating 1162From the King's high perogative,—as boldly 1163As freely I avow—to you—to all men!#pubC1: . 1164I own ye not as Judges. Ye have power 1165
As pirates or land robbers oer#pubC1: o'er the wretch 1166Entrapped within their den;#pubC1: , a power to mock 1167Your victim with a form of trial, to dress 1168Plain murder in a mask of Law#pubC1: law. As Judges 1169I know ye not. 1170
Brad.Enough that you confess 1171The treason— 1172
King.Stop. Sir#pubC1: ! Sir, I appeal to them 1173Whence you derive your power. 1174
Brad.The people? King 1175Thou seest them here in us. 1176
King.Oh that my voice 1177Could reach my loyal people! That the winds 1178Could waft the echoes of this groined roof 1179So that each corner of the land might hear, 1180From the fair Southern vallies to
the hills
,
1181
The wild hills of my native North, from the
shores#pubC1: Of my own native North, from the
bleak shores 1182Of the great Ocean#pubC1: ocean to the channeled WestThe English Channel |
the Channel
|
50.134664 -0.3570560000000569
| Part of the Atlantic Ocean, it is a body of water that joins the
North Sea to the Atlantic and separates southern England from northern
France.—#lmw50.134664 -0.3570560000000569, 1183Their rightful Monarch's cry. Then should ye hear 1184From the universal nation, town and plain, 1185Forest & village, the stern aweful#pubC1: and village, the stern awful shout 1186Of just deliverance, mighty &#pubC1: and prolonged, 1187Deafening the earth & piercing Heaven, &#pubC1: and piercing Heaven, and smiting 1188Each guilty conscience with such fear as waits 1189On the great Judgment-Day. The wish is vain— 1190Oh vainer#pubC1: Ah! vainer than a dream! I &#pubC1: and my people 1191Are over-mastered. Yet, Sir, I demand 1192A conference with these masters. Tell the Commons 1193The King would speak with them. 1194
Brad.We have no power 1195To stay the trial.
To stay the trial.
1196
Dow.Nay, good my Lord, perchance 1197The King would yield such reason as might move 1198The Commons to renew the treaty. Best 1199Confer with them. 1200
Crom.(to Downes)Art mad? 1201
Dow.'Tis ye are mad 1202Who drive#pubC1: That urge with a remorseless haste this work 1203Of savage butchery onward. I was mad 1204That joined ye. 1205
Crom.This is sudden. 1206
Dow.He's our King. 1207
Crom.Our King! Have we not faced him in the field 1208An hundred#pubC1: A thousand times? Our King! Downes, hath the
Lord 1209Forsaken thee? Our King! Why I have seen thee#pubC1: Why I have seen thyself 1210Hewing through mailed Battalia#pubC1: battalia, till thy sword 1211And thy good arm were dyed in gore to reach 1212Yon man. Didst mean to save him? Listen, Sir;#pubC1: , 1213I am thy friend—'Tis said—#pubC1: . 'Tis said,—I lend no ear 1214To slanderers, but this tale was forced upon me— 1215'Tis said that one, whose grave & honoured name 1216Sorts ill with midnight treachery, was seen 1217Stealing from the Queen's lodging—I'm thy friend, 1218Thy fast friend—#pubC1: ! We oft see in this bad world 1219The shadow Envy crawling stealthily 1220Behind fair Virtue—I hold all for false 1221Unless thou prove it true—I am thy friend— 1222But if the Sequestrators#pubC1: sequestrators heard this tale— 1223Thou hast broad lands.—(aloud)
#pubC1:
(Aloud)
Why do ye pause? 1224
Cook.My high 1225
And honouring task to plead at this great bar 1226For lawful Liberty, for suffering Conscience#pubC1: liberty, for suffering conscience, 1227For the old guardians of our rights
,
the Commons, 1228Against the lawless fiend Prerogative, 1229The persecuting Church, the tyrant King 1230Were needless now & vain: the#pubC1: . The haughty prisoner 1231Denies your jurisdiction. I call on ye 1232For instant judgment. 1233
Brad.Sir, for the last time,
1234I ask thee—#pubC1: , wilt thou plead? 1235
King.Have I not answered? 1236
Cook.Your judgment, good my lord#pubC1: Lords! 1237
Brad.All ye who deem 1238Charles Stuart
guilty, rise! 1239
King.What all! 1240
Brad.Not one 1241Is wanting. Clerk record him guilty. 1242
Cook.Now 1243The sentence! 1244
Queen.
(from the gallery#pubC1: Gallery)Traitors hold! 1245
Crom.(To Ireton)Heard'st thou a scream? 1246
Ire.'Tis the malignant wife of
Fairfax. 1247
Crom.No.#pubC1: ! 1248A greater far than she. 1249
Queen.Hold murderers! 1250
Crom.(aloud)Lead 1251Yon railing woman from her seat. My lord#pubC1: Lord, 1252Please you proceed. 1253
Queen.(rushing to the King)Traitors here is my seat— 1254I am the Queen—here is my place, my state, 1255
My lord & Sovereign—here at thy feet!#pubC1: My Lord and Sovereign,—here at thy feet. 1256I claim it
,
with a prouder humbler heart, 1257A lowlier duty, a more loyal love, 1258Than when the false &#pubC1: and glittering diadem 1259Encircled first my brow, a Queenly#pubC1: queenly bride. 1260Put me not from thee! Scorn#pubC1: scorn me not! I am 1261Thy wife. 1262
King.Oh true & faithful wife! Yet leave me#pubC1: and faithful wife! Yet leave me, 1263Lest the strong armour of my soul, her patience, 1264Be melted by thy tears. Oh go! go! go! 1265This is no place for thee. 1266
Queen.Why thou art here—#pubC1: ! 1267Who shall divide us? 1268
Ire.Force her from him guards!#pubC1: , Guards; 1269Remove her!#pubC1: . 1270
King.Tremble ye
,
who come so near 1271As but to touch her garments!#pubC1: . Cowards! Slaves! 1272Though the King's power be gone, yet the man's
strength 1273Remains unwithered. She's my wife! my All!#pubC1: ; my all. 1274
Crom.None thinks to harm the lady. Good my lord,#pubC1: Lady. Good my Lord, 1275The hour wears fast with these slight toys. 1276
Queen.I come 1277To aid ye
not impede. If in this land 1278To wear the lineal crown, maintain the laws, 1279Uphold the insulted Church be crimes, then I 1280Am guilty, guiltier than your King!#pubC1: . 'Twas I 1281That urged the war—ye know he loved me—I 1282That prompted his bold councils, edged &#pubC1: ; edged and whetted 1283His great resolves,#pubC1: ; spurred his high courage on 1284Against ye, rebels! I that armed my knight 1285And sent him forth to battle. Mine the crime.#pubC1: ;— 1286
Be mine the punishment. Deliver him#pubC1: ! Deliver him, 1287And lead me to the block. Pause ye? My blood 1288Is royal too. Within my veins the rich 1289Commingled stream of princely Medici 1290And regal Bourbon flows: 'twill#pubC1: 'Twill mount as high, 1291'Twill stain your axe as red, 'twill#pubC1: Twill stain your axe as red, t'will feed as full 1292Your hate of Kings. 1293
Crom.Madam, we wage no war 1294On women. 1295
Queen.I have warred on ye, &#pubC1: and now— 1296Take heed how ye release me!
—
He is gentle 1297Patient & kind; he can forgive; but#pubC1: and kind; he can forgive. But I 1298Shall roam a frantic widow through the world 1299Counting each day for lost that hath not gained 1300An enemy to EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691, a revenger 1301Of this foul murder. 1302
Har.Woman peace! The sentence! 1303
Queen.Yoursentence, bloody Judges#pubC1: judges! As ye deal 1304With your anointed King
,
the red right arm 1305Of Heaven shall avenge him: here on earth 1306By clinging Fear & black Remorse, & Death,#pubC1: fear and black remorse, and death 1307Unnatural ghastly Death; & then the fire#pubC1: death, and then the fire, 1308The eternal fire where panting murderers gasp 1309And cannot die, that deepest Hell which holds 1310The Regicide. 1311
Brad.Peace! I have overlong 1312Forgotten my high#pubC1: great office. Hence! or force 1313Shall rid us of thy frenzy. Knowst#pubC1: Know'st thou not 1314That curses light upon the curser's head, 1315As surely
,
as the cloud which the sun drains 1316
From the salt sea returns into the wave 1317In stormy gusts or plashing showers? Remove her. 1318
Queen.Oh mercy! mercy! I'll not curse; I'll be 1319As gentle as a babe. Ye cannot doom him 1320Whilst I stand by. Even the hard headsman veils 1321His victim's eyes before he strikes, afeared 1322Lest his heart fail. And could ye, being men 1323Not fiends, abide a wife's keen agony 1324Whilst—I'll not leave thee Charles! I'll never leave thee
.
1325
King.This is the love stronger than life, the love 1326Of woman. Henrietta listen. Loose 1327Thy arms from round my neck—Here is no axe—#pubC1: ; here is no axe; 1328This is no scaffold—#pubC1: . We shall meet anon 1329Untouched, unharmed.#pubC1: ; I shall return to thee 1330Safe! safe! shall bide with thee—Listen, my Dear-One,#pubC1: Safe, safe,—shall bide with thee. Listen my dear
one, 1331Thy husband prays, thy King commands thee Go! 1332Go! Lead her gently, very gently. 1333
Exit the Queen led.#pubC1: (Exit the Queen, led.)
Now 1334I am ready. Speak your doom &#pubC1: , and quickly. 1335
Brad.Death. 1336Thou art adjudged to die. Sirs, do ye all 1337Accord in this just sentence? 1338
The Judges all stand up.
King.I am ready. 1339To a grey head, aching with royal cares, 1340The block is a kind pillow. Yet once more— 1341
Brad.Silence!#pubC1: . The Sentence is pronounced; the time 1342Is past. Conduct him from the Court. 1343
King.Not hear me?#pubC1: ! 1344
Me your anointed King?#pubC1: Me your anointed King! Look ye what justice 1345A meaner man may hope for. 1346
Crom.Why refuse 1347His death-speech to a prisoner? Whoso knoweth 1348What weight hangs on his soul? Speak King &#pubC1: . Speak on and fear not. 1349
King.Fear! Let the guilty fear!#pubC1: . Feel if my pulse 1350Flutter? Look if my cheek be faded? Harken 1351If my calm breathing be not regular 1352Even as an infant's who hath dropt asleep 1353Upon its mother's breast? As I lift up 1354This Sword, miscalled of Justice, my clear voice 1355Hoarsens nor falters not!#pubC1: . See I can smile 1356As thinking on the axe I draw the bright 1357
Keen edge across my hand
! And yet for ye,
#pubC1: . Fear! Would ye ask 1358
My subject judges, I could weep[.] I love
ye;—
1359
I would have been your father, but
1360
Against me & my
faithfullest
1361
In ungrateful guilt—Oh
Strafford! Strafford!
1362
This is a retribution.
Fear!—Would thou ask
1363
What weight is on my
soul. Fear!—Would ye ask
1364
What weight is on my soul, I tell ye none 1365Save that I yielded once to your
decree, 1366And slew my Faithfullest. Oh
Strafford!
Strafford! 1367This is a retribution! 1368
Brad.Better weep 1369Thy sins than one just holy act. 1370
King.For ye 1371My subject-judges I might#pubC1: couldweep; for thee 1372Beloved and lovely country!#pubC1: . Thou wilt groan 1373Under the tyrant Many till some bold 1374And crafty soldier, one who in the field 1375Is brave as the roused lion, at the Council 1376Watchful and gentle as the couchant pard, 1377The lovely spotted pard, what time she stoops 1378To spring upon her prey; one who puts on, 1379To win each several soul, his several sin, 1380A stern fanatic, a smooth hypocrite, 1381A fierce R#pubC1: rep#pubC1: bublican, a coarse buffoon, 1382Always a great bad
man; till he shall come, 1383And climb the vacant & fix
him there, 1384A more than King. Cromwell, if such thou know'st 1385Tell him the rack would prove an easier couch 1386Than he shall find that throne. Tell him the crown 1387On an Usurper's brow will scorch and burn, 1388As though the diamonded and ermined round 1389Were framed of glowing steel. 1390
Crom.Hath His dread wrath 1391Smitten thee with frenzy? 1392
King.Tell him, for thou know'st him, 1393That Doubt & Discord like fell harpies wait 1394Around the Usurper's board. By night, by day, 1395Beneath the palace roof, beneath that roof 1396More fair, the summer sky, fear shall appal 1397And D#pubC1: danger threaten, and all natural loves 1398Wither and die; till on his#pubC1: his dying bed, 1399Old
'
fore his time, the wretched traitor lies 1400Heartbroken. Then, for well thou know'st him,
Cromwell, 1401Bid him to think on me, and how I
fell
fell 1402Hewn in my strength and prime, like a proud oak, 1403The tallest of the forest, that but shivers 1404His glorious top and dies. Oh! thou shalt envy, 1405In thy long agony, my fall, that shakes 1406A kingdom but not me.
x[Ye are warned! now Sirs
1407
On to my prison.
1408
Bradshaw.
Lead the prisoner forth.
1409
Soldiers.
Justice & Execution.
1410
Crom.
Good my comrades
1411
Vex not a dying man with words. Full surely
1412
He is possessed with a fierce Devil! The Wrath
1413
Hath fallen upon him Harrison.
1414
Soldiers.
To Justice
1415
To Execution.
1416
End of the Third Act.
Crom. 1417 1418 1419
Brad. 1420
King. 1421 1422 1423
Crom. 1424 1425 1426
xor
so
Cromwell.
He is possessed!—
1427
My good Lord President the day wears on—
1428
Possessed of a fierce devil!
1429
Bradshaw.
Lead him forth!
1430
King.
Why so, ye are warned! On to my prison, Sirs!
1431
On to my prison!
1432
Soldiers.
On to execution!
1433
Justice & execution!
1434
Cromwell.
Nay my comrades
1435
Vex not a sinner's parting hour!—The Wrath
1436
Is on him Harrison
1437
Soldiers.
To Justice
1438
To Execution.
1439
End of the Third Act.
Charles the First.
Act the Fourth.#pubC1: ACT IV.
Scene— an apartment#pubC1: An Apartment in Cromwell's h#pubC1: House.
Cromwell alone.
Crom.So my lord Broghill! We are shrewdly rid 1440Of one bold plotter. Now to strike at once
1441Ere fresh conspiracies— 1442
Enter Ireton.
Cromwell.What mak'st thou here 1443Fair S#pubC1: son? 1444
Ire. 1445The l#pubC1: Lords Commissioners refuse 1446To sign the warrant. He'll escape us yet. 1447
Crom.Refuse! What all? 1448
Ire.No; Harrison&#pubC1: and 1449
And Bradshaw still hold firm. 1450
Crom.Too few! too few! 1451Aye he'll escape. They'll treat. What say the traitors? 1452
Ire.The most keep stubborn silence. Harrison 1453Is hoarse with railing. 1454
Crom.Overhot! But that's 1455A fault may pass for virtue. Over
-
cold's, 1456Your modish sin. Weakness or treachery! 1457Peters or Judases! They'll treat. They'll treat.
—
1458Where lies thy regiment? 1459
Ire.At WestminsterCity of Westminster, London, England | Westminster | London | England |
51.5001754 -0.1332326000000421
| Now an inner London borough centrally located in Greater
London; historically a separate entity west of the City of London and the
site of Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster. In Mitford’s time, a district
of Greater London and
the location of St. James’s Palace, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of
Parliament; shopping districts around Bond Street, Regent Street, and Oxford
Street; and the fashionable residential and theater districts of the West
End.—#lmw51.5001754 -0.1332326000000421. 1460One gleam#pubC1: glance of their bright swords, one stirring note 1461Of their war-trumpet, &#pubC1: and these dastard Judges— 1462I'll seek them instantly. 1463
Crom.Son thou mistak'st. 1464Foul shame it were,
here in this#pubC1: a Christian land 1465To govern by brute force,
—How many hast thou? 1466
Ire.A thousand horse. 1467
Crom.Or turn their very guards 1468Against the judges—We must keep unstained#pubC1: Judges—Be they trusty? 1469
The course of justice—Be they trusty?
1470
Ire.Sir 1471I'll answer for them as myself. 1472
Crom.Nay go not!#pubC1: .
1473No force good s#pubC1: Son! No force! 1474Enter a ServantWhat wouldst thou? Speak. 1475
Servant.The Colonel Harrison
sends me to crave 1476Your e#pubC1: Excellency's presence. 1477
Crom.Aye?#pubC1: ! I come. 1478Didst meet thy fellow Robert
&
the gallant 1479Whom thou sawst here this morning? 1480
Serv.Sir they passed me 1481At speed. 1482
Crom.I come. No force good son!#pubC1: . Remember 1483This is a Christian land. We must keep pure 1484The j#pubC1: Judgment seat. No force. 1485Exit Ireton.At speed! Ere now 1486They have crost the ThamesRiver Thames, England | Thames | England |
51.5855735 -0.6160753000000341
| The longest river in England, the Thames has its source in
Gloucestershire and flows through Reading, Oxford, Windsor,
and London into the
Thames Estuary to the North
Sea.—#ebb51.5855735 -0.6160753000000341 at
KewKew, Richmond upon Thames, England |
Kew village
| Kew | Richmond upon Thames | England |
51.475251 -0.284890799999971
| Once a village northeast of Richmond, now a suburban district
part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Site of what is now the
Royal Botanic Gardens, a World Heritage Site, which includes Kew Palace, a
royal residence favored by George III, and
Kew Gardens.—#lmw51.475251 -0.284890799999971. We are quit of one 1487Bold Cavalier. What said the Colonel? 1488
Serv.Prayed 1489Your instant presence, &#pubC1: and betwixt his teeth 1490Muttered Faint craven souls! 1491
Crom.Fie! f#pubC1: Fie! to speak 1492Irreverently of such great-ones. Faint 1493And craven souls.#pubC1: ! Follow my son.#pubC1: ;#pubC1: t
Thou'lt find him,
1494Heading his valiant H#pubC1: horse. Bid him be still 1495Till I send to him,#pubC1: —still as night. And now 1496For ye wise Judges! 1497
—
Exeunt.#pubC1: (Exeunt.)
The scene draws &
d#pubC1: Discloses the Painted
Chamber
Bradshaw, Harrison, Cook, Downes, Tichburne, Marten &#pubC1: , and other Judges.
Har.Be ye all smit with palsy? Hang your arms 1498Dead at your sides that ye refuse to sign 1499The Warrant? Be ye turned Idolaters? 1500Rank worshippers of Baal? 1501
Brad.They refuse not. 1502
Mar.They parley, Sir, they dally, they delay. 1503
Cook.The wiser if they did. Twere vantage ground, 1504The keen axe swinging o'er his head, to treat 1505With your#pubC1: on great prisoner. 1506
Har.Treat! Was yonder trial 1507A mummery, a stage-play, a farce? Oh blind 1508And stubborn generation! 1509
Dow.The whole people 1510Are struck with awe &#pubC1: and pity. Each man's cheek 1511Is pale; each woman's eye is wet; each child 1512Lifts up its little hands, as to implore 1513Mercy for the poor King. 1514
Har.Captivity 1515And bondage will o'ertake them.#pubC1: ! They fall off 1516Like the revolted Tribes—#pubC1: . Ægyptian bondage! 1517
Enter Cromwell.#pubC1: (Enter Cromwell.)
Crom.Wherefore so loud good Colonel? Sirs I shame 1518To have held ye waiting here,#pubC1: . a#pubC1: A sudden cause 1519I pray ye believe it earnest#pubC1: urgent, hindered me. 1520Where is the W#pubC1: warrant? Have ye left a space 1521For my poor name? 1522
Mar.Thou wilt find room enow. 1523There! 1524
Crom.What unsigned? #pubC1: —Harrison! #pubC1: —He came hither 1525To crave your signatures. 1526
Har.I did my message 1527But these Philistines— 1528
Crom.Do ye shame to set 1529Your names to your own deeds? Did ye not pass 1530This just and solemn sentence
in the face of day#pubC1: This solemn sentence in the face of day, 1531Before the arraigned King, the shouting people, 1532The M#pubC1: majesty of Heaven? 1533
Tich.Thou dost mistake us. 1534
Crom.I crave your pardon Sirs. I deemed ye were 1535The J#pubC1: judges, the King's judges, the E#pubC1: elect 1536Of EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691, chosen by her godly Commons 1537As wisest, boldest, best. I did mistake ye. 1538
Dow.Listen ere thou accuse us. 1539
Mar.Listen! S#pubC1: sign;#pubC1: ! 1540And I#pubC1: we will listen, though your pleaded reason 1541Outlast Hugh Peter's S#pubC1: sermon. 1542
Dow.Hear me first. 1543
Crom.Well.#pubC1: . 1544
Dow.We have here Commissioners from ScotlandScotland |
55.85, -4.266667
| Country that occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Part of
the United Kingdom.—#bas55.85, -4.266667 1545Praying our mercy on the King. 1546
Crom.They gave him 1547Into our hands. 1548
Har.And they are answered Sir. 1549Thou know'st that Cromwell singly put
them down 1550As they had been young babes. 1551
Dow.The Pensionary— 1552
Crom.Pshaw! 1553
Dow.Hath sent pressing missives; Embassies 1554From every court are on the seas; &#pubC1: and Charles 1555Proffers great terms. 1556
Crom.Have we not all? 1557
Cook.But he 1558Will give a fair security, a large 1559And general amnesty; s#pubC1: . So are we freed 1560From fear of after #pubC1: -reckoning. 1561
Crom.Master Cook 1562No wonder that a lawyer pleads to #pubC1: -day 1563Against his cause of yesterday,#pubC1: —if feed 1564To the height. But thou art not of us; thy part 1565Is o'er. 1566
Mar.He will give large securities—#pubC1: ! 1567For what? 1568
Dow.The general safety, &#pubC1: andour own,#pubC1: . 1569
Mar.Safety! S#pubC1: , say liberty! Securities. 1570Many large promises! An ye will trust 1571Ye may be Earls &#pubC1: and Marquesses, and portion 1572This pretty I#pubC1: islet EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691 as a M#pubC1: manor 1573Amongst ye. Shame ye not to think a bribe 1574Might win your souls from freedom? 1575
Har.From the Lord! 1576Would ye desert h#pubC1: His people? sell for gain 1577His cause.#pubC1: ? 1578
Crom.Hush! Hush! None thinketh to forsake 1579The C#pubC1: cause.#pubC1: ! 1580
Tich.Let Bradshaw sign. What need more names 1581Than the Lord President's? 1582
Brad.I am ready Sirs 1583An ye will follow me. The Instrument 1584Were else illegal. When ye are prepared, 1585Speak. 1586
Crom.My good M#pubC1: masters ye remember me 1587Of a passage of my boyhood. 1588
(then apart to Bradshaw and Harrison)
Deem me not 1589A light unmeaning trifler. R#pubC1: , recollect 1590How Nathan spake to David.(aloud)#pubC1: (then aloud) Being a child 1591Nutting with other imps in the old copse 1592At HinchinbrokeHinchinbrooke House, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England |
Hinchingbrooke House
| Huntingdon | Cambridgeshire | England |
52.327831 -0.20055899999999838
| Country house estate built around a thirteenth-century
nunnery. During the dissolution of the monasteries, it was given to the
Cromwell family and later became the estate of the Earls of Sandwich. From
1627, it was the estate of the Parliamentary army leader Sir Edward Montagu. Also
spelled "Hinchingbrooke." Now
a Grade I listed building. |
—#rnes #lmw52.327831 -0.20055899999999838, we saw across a wide 1593But shallow stream one overhanging hazel 1594Whose lissome stalks were weighed by the rich fruitage 1595Almost into the water. As we stood 1596Eyeing the tempting boughs, a shining nut 1597Fell from its socket, dimpling wide around 1598The dark clear mirror. At that sight one bold 1599And hardy urchin, with myself, no less 1600In those young days a daring wight, at once 1601Plunged in the sparkling rivulet. It rose 1602Above our ancles, to our knees, half up 1603Our thighs, &#pubC1: and my scared comrade i'#pubC1: n the midst 1604Of the stream turned roaring back, &#pubC1: and gained the bank 1605Nutless & wet#pubC1: and wet, amidst the scoffing shouts 1606Of the small people. 1607
Marten.And thou? 1608
Crom.Why I bore 1609My course right on &#pubC1: , and gained the spoil. Sirs, we 1610Have plunged knee-#pubC1: deep in the waters,#pubC1: ; are mid-#pubC1: way 1611The stream,—w#pubC1: : Will ye turn now &#pubC1: and leave the fruit 1612Ungathered recreants,#pubC1: ? or hold boldly on 1613And win the holy prize of freedom? Give me 1614The W#pubC1: warrant.
(signs)#pubC1: (signs.)So! M#pubC1: methinks an it were not 1615Over ambitious, &#pubC1: and that's a sin,#pubC1: ; 1616My homely name should stand alone to this 1617Most righteous scroll. Follow who list!#pubC1: . I've left 1618A space for the Lord President. 1619
Brad.I'll fill it 1620With an unworthy name. 1621
Crom.Now, swell the roll!Swell the roll fast! Where goest thou Marten? None 1622 1623Shall stir till he hath signed. Thou a ripe scholar 1624Not write thy name! I can write mine i' the dark, 1625And oft with my sword-point have traced in air 1626The viewless characters in the long hour 1627Before the joy of battle. Shut thine eyes 1628And write thy name! Anywhere! See, 1629(Marking Marten's cheek
with a pen) Nay, Marten, 1630Stand still—See! See! how fair &#pubC1: and clerkly! Yet 1631This parchment is the smoother. 1632
Mar.Hold thee sure 1633I'll pay thee General. 1634
Bradshaw.Why he hath marked thee 1635Like a fresh-#pubC1: new ruddled sheep. 1636
Mar.I'll pay thee. 1637
Crom.Sign. 1638
Marten.Willingly, joyfully!#pubC1: Willingly; joyfully. 1639
Crom.Why so. Where goes 1640Our zealous alderman? I deemed to see 1641His name the first. 1642
Brad.He fears the c#pubC1: City's safety, 1643Full, as he says, of the King's friends. 1644
Crom.He fears! 1645They be bold men who fearlessly do own 1646Their fears,#pubC1: . I dare not. Fear! Sir didst thou come 1647By water hither? 1648
Tich.No. 1649
Crom.And didst thou meet 1650No soldiers on thy way? 1651
Tich.Many. The streets 1652Are swarming with them. 1653
Crom.Were they silent? 1654
Tich.No,#pubC1: . 1655They called aloud for execution. 1656
Crom.Say 1657For justice &#pubC1: and for execution. Marry 1658My bold Dragoons#pubC1: Ironsides know not the new state trick 1659To separate the words. Well! are not they 1660A nearer fear? Sign boldly. 1661
(Cromwell Marten and Downesadvance to the front)
Mar.They flock fast. 1662
Crom.'Tis time;#pubC1: , for plots are weaving round about us 1663Like spider's nets in August#pubC1: tumn. But this morning 1664I swept one web away. Lord Broghill— 1665
Mar.What! 1666Hath he been here? 1667
Dow.Is he discovered? 1668
Crom.Sir 1669I have a slow-hound's scent to track a traitor—#pubC1: .
1670He's found, &#pubC1: and he's despatched. 1671
Dow.How? 1672
Mar.Where? 1673
Crom.To IrelandIreland |
53.1423672 -7.692053600000008
| An island in the North Atlantic and part of the British Isles in Europe, which contains
Great Britain and over six thousand smaller isles.—#bas53.1423672 -7.692053600000008 1674With a commission 'gainst the rebels. 'Tis 1675An honest soldier who deserves to fight 1676For the good
side
cause. He but mistook his side; 1677The Queen beguiled him, &#pubC1: and the knightly sound 1678Of L#pubC1: lloyalty. But tis an honest soldier;#pubC1: . 1679He will prove faithful. 1680
Mar.How didst win him? 1681
Crom.How? 1682A word of praise, a thought of fear. How do men 1683Win traitors? Hark ye, Downes,#pubC1: ! Lord Broghill left 1684A list of the King's friends amongst us here;— 1685Grave seeming r#pubC1: Roundheads, bold & pious#pubC1: and zealous soldiers, 1686High officers—I marvel not ye look 1687Distrustfully—one of renown, a Colonel 1688A Judge too—#pubC1: !Downes hast thou signed yonder Warrant? 1689
Mar.What was the plan? 1690
Crom.Go sign I say.—The plan?#pubC1: !
1691A sudden rescue, to o'erpower the guard.— 1692Ha! Ingoldsby! 1693
(seizing one of the Judges & going with him to the table#pubC1: Seizing one of the Judges and going with him to the table.)
Crom.Nay, man, if thou be questioned#pubC1: , 1694Some dozen years hence, say that I forced thee, swear 1695Thy wicked K#pubC1: kinsman held thy hand. #pubC1: —Aye
N#pubC1: now 1696The blank is nobly filled, &#pubC1: and bravely! now 1697I know ye once again, the pious Judges 1698The E#pubC1: elect &#pubC1: and godly of the land.—#pubC1: !
Good Marten
1699
(Exit Marten.)
Har.What peril? 1703
Crom.Ye 1704That are assembled here should lift your voice 1705In earnest thanks
for
for quick deliverance 1706From hidden danger; y#pubC1: sudden danger. Ye knew nought of this 1707Great jeopardy, nor need ye know. Give thanks;#pubC1: , 1708And question not. Ye are safe. 1709
Brad.Art sure of that? 1710
Crom.Did ye not hear me even now take order 1711The guard should be dispersed? Question no more. 1712Ye are so safe that this slight parchment, Sirs, 1713May be your shield. 1714
Brad.The deed is incomplete. 1715It hath no date. 1716
Crom.Ha#pubC1: Ah! well reminded. W#pubC1: ! write 1717The Thirtieth. 1718
Dow.Tomorrow? T#pubC1: that were sudden. 1719
Crom.Why so we must be. There be plots astir 1720And speed is our best safety.—Thou hast signed—#pubC1: ? 1721Is not thy name among us?#pubC1: Thy name is here amongst us?—I must haste 1722To overtake the hour. 'Tis still unsealed;#pubC1: . 1723Add thou my signet Bradshaw. 1724
Exit Cromwell.
Tich.What intends 1725The General? 1726
Brad.Question not of that. A taper! 1727Your seals, my Lords Commissioners! Your seals! 1728
The Scene closes.#pubC1: (The Scene closes.)
The
Scene
—The Kings Apartments.
Enter the King
,
leading in the Princess Elizabeth
&#pubC1: and the Duke of Gloucester.
King.Here we may weep at leisure. Yon fierce ruffian 1729Will scarce pursue us here. Elizabeth 1730I thought I had done with anger, but the ruffian#pubC1: soldier 1731Who gazed on thee awhile, with looks that seemed 1732To wither thy young beauty, &#pubC1: and with words— 1733My child! my child! And I had not the power 1734To shield mine own sweet child! 1735
Eliz.I saw him not; 1736I heard him not;#pubC1: : I could see none but thee; 1737Could hear no voice save#pubC1: but thine. 1738
King.When I am gone 1739Who shall protect thee!#pubC1: ? 1740
Glou.I shall soon be tall; 1741And then— 1742
King.Poor boy! Elizabeth be thou 1743A mother to him!#pubC1: . Rear him up in peace 1744And humbleness. Show him how sweet Content 1745Can smile on dungeon floors; how the mewed lark 1746Sings in his narrow cage. Plant P#pubC1: patience, dear-#pubC1: ones, 1747Deep in your hearts. 1748Enter Herbert.Herbert where stays the Queen? 1749Still on that hopeless quest of hope, though friends 1750Drop from her fast as leaves in Autumn.#pubC1: ? 1751
Herb.Sire 1752Her Grace is absent still;#pubC1: . But General Cromwell 1753Craves audience of your Majesty. 1754
King.Admit him. 1755Wipe off those tearsElizabeth. Resume 1756Thy gentle courage. Thou art a Princess. 1757Enter Cromwell.
Sir 1758Thou seest me with my children. Doth thine errand 1759Demand their absence? 1760
Crom.No. I sent them to thee 1761In c#pubC1: Christian charity. Thou hast not fallen 1762Amongst the Heathen. 1763
King.Howsoever sent 1764It was a royal boon. My heart hath ached 1765With the vain agony of longing love 1766To look upon those blooming cheeks, to kiss 1767Those red &#pubC1: and innocent lips, to hear the sound 1768Of those dear voices. 1769
Crom.Sir, 'twas meet to send them
they came,#pubC1: Sir 'twas meet they came 1770That thou might#pubC1: might'st see them once again, might#pubC1: might'st say— 1771
King.Farewell! #pubC1: —I can endure the word—a last 1772Farewell! I have dwelt so long upon the thought 1773The sound seems nothing. Ye have signed
the sentence.#pubC1: ? 1774Fear not to speak Sir?#pubC1: . 1775
Crom.'Tis a heavy task heavy
duty—#pubC1: 'Tis a grievous duty— 1776
King.Ye havesigned. And the day? 1777
Crom.Tomorrow. 1778
King.What! 1779So soon? And yet I thank ye. Speed is mercy. 1780Ye must away, poor children. 1781
Crom.Nay the C#pubC1: , the children 1782May bide with thee till nightfall. 1783
King.Take them Herbert! 1784Take them!#pubC1: . 1785
Children.Oh! No! No! No!#pubC1: Oh! no, no, no! 1786
King.Dear #pubC1: -ones I go 1787On a great journey. Bless ye once again, 1788My children! We must part. Farewell!#pubC1: . 1789
Eliz.Oh father 1790Let me go with thee! 1791
King.Knowst thou whither? 1792
Eliz.Yes; 1793To Heaven. Oh take me with thee! I must die 1794When the tree falls the young buds wither. Take me 1795Along with thee to Heaven! Let us lie 1796Both in one grave! 1797
King.Now bless ye! This is death!#pubC1: ; 1798This is the bitterness of love!#pubC1: .
1799
Crom.Fair child 1800Be comforted. 1801
King.Didst thou not pat her head? 1802
Crom.She minded me, all in her innocent tears, 1803Of one in mine own dwelling. 1804
King.Thou hast daughters.#pubC1: ;
1805Be kind to her. 1806
Crom.I will. 1807
King.And the poor boy,#pubC1: —
1808He comes not near the throne. Make not of him 1809A puppet King. 1810
Crom.I think not of it. 1811
King.Take them 1812Good Herbert! And
my wife— 1813
Crom.She shall be safe; 1814
She
shall home to FranceFrance |
46.227638 2.213749000000007
| Country in western Europe. Paris is the capital and largest city.—#bas46.227638 2.213749000000007 unharmed. 1815
King.Now F#pubC1: fare ye well!— 1816Cromwell come back—No bring them not again
,
— 1817No more of parting!#pubC1: —#pubC1: bB#pubC1: bless them! B#pubC1: bless them! See 1818The girl, the poor poor girl hath wept away 1819Her tears & pants & shivers#pubC1: , and pants and shivers like a fawn 1820Dying. Oh for some gentle face to look on 1821When she awakes#pubC1: revives, or she will surely die 1822
Exeunt Herbert
&#pubC1: and the Children.
Crom.She shall be cared for. 1823
King.Are they gone? quite gone? 1824I might have kissed them once again, have charged them 1825To love each other
—No!#pubC1: , 'tis best. 1826
Crom.Thou bad'st me 1827Remain. What is thy will? 1828
King.Be kind to them!#pubC1: ,
1829Be very kind to them.#pubC1: ! 1830
Crom.Have I not promised? 1831Was this#pubC1: that what thou wouldst say? 1832
King.No But the love, 1833The o'ermastering love—that was the death-pang Cromwell, 1834Thou wilt#pubC1: wilt be kind to them? 1835
Crom.Wouldst have me swear? 1836
King.Nay swear not lest#pubC1: Nay, swear not, lest I doubt. I will#pubC1: will believe thee. 1837And for the human pity thou hast shown, 1838The touch of natural ruth, I prithee#pubC1: pray thee take 1839My thanks. 1840
Crom.I would have saved thee. By this hand, 1841This sinful hand, I would have saved thee, King, 1842Hadst thou flung by yon bauble. 1843
King.There is One 1844Who reads all hearts;#pubC1: , one who pursues all crimes, 1845From silver-tongued &#pubC1: and bland H#pubC1: hypocrisy 1846To treasonous murder. The unspoken thought 1847And the loud lie, &#pubC1: and the accursed act 1848Mount to His throne together. Tempt Him not!#pubC1: . 1849I know thee for the worker of this deed, 1850And knowing pardon thee,#pubC1: :—but tempt not Him! 1851
Crom.Thy blood be on thy head! I would have saved thee;#pubC1: — 1852Even now the thought stirred in me. Pardon, Lord, 1853That gazing on the father's agonies 1854My heart of flesh waxed faint, &#pubC1: and I forgot 1855Thy glory &#pubC1: and
t#pubC1: Thy cause, the suffering saints 1856
1857
1858
1859
1860The tyrant's tyranny & T#pubC1: , and thy great word 1861Freedom! Thy blood be on thy head!#pubC1: . 1862
King.So be it!#pubC1: . 1863
End of the Fourth Act.
Charles the First
Act the Fifth.#pubC1: ACT V.
Scene—
The King's b#pubC1: Bedchamber.
The King, starting from his couch,#pubC1: ; Herbert asleep.
King.Herbert! Is't time
to rise? He sleeps. What sounds 1864Were those that roused me? Hark again! The clang 1865Of hammers! Yet the watchlight burns; the day 1866Is still unborn. This is a work of night, 1867Of deep funereal darkness. Each loud stroke 1868Rings like a knell, distinct, discordant, shrill, 1869Gathering, redoubling, echoing round my head, 1870Smiting me only with its sound amid 1871The slumbering city, tolling in mine ear— 1872A passing bell! It is the scaffold. Heaven 1873Grant me to tread it with as calm a heart 1874As I bear now. His sleep is troubled.Herbert! 1875'Twere best to wake him. Herbert! Rouse thee#pubC1: rouse thee, man! 1876
Herb.Did your Grace call? 1877
King.Aye; we should be today 1878Early astir. I've a great business toward;#pubC1: , 1879To exchange the K#pubC1: kingly wreath, my crown of thorns, 1880For an eternal diadem—#pubC1: ; to die— 1881And I would go trim as a bridegroom. Give me 1882Yon ermined cloak. If the crisp nipping frost 1883Should cause me shiver, there be tongues would call 1884The wintery chillness Fear. Herbert my sleep 1885Hath been as soft &#pubC1: and balmy as young babes 1886Inherit from their blessed innocence 1887Or hardy peasants win with honest toil. 1888When I awoke thy slumbers were perturbed, 1889Unquiet. 1890
Herb.Vexed my liege with dreams.#pubC1: Vexed, my liege, with dreams. 1891
King.Of what? 1892
Herb.So please you, Sire, demand not. 1893
King.Dost thou think 1894A dream can grieve#pubC1: vex me now? Speak. 1895
Herb.Thrice I slept, 1896And thrice I woke, &#pubC1: and thrice the self-same vision 1897Haunted my fancy. Seemed this very room, 1898This dim and waning taper, this dark couch, 1899Beneath whose crimson canopy reclined 1900A form august &#pubC1: and stately. The pale ray 1901Of the watchlight dwelt upon his face, & shewed#pubC1: and showed 1902His paler lineaments, where M#pubC1: majesty 1903And manly Beauty#pubC1: beauty,
&#pubC1: and deep trenching T#pubC1: thought, 1904And Care, the W#pubC1: wrinkler, all were blended now 1905Into one calm &#pubC1: and holy pensiveness
1906Softened by slumber. I stood gazing on him 1907With weeping love, as one awake; when sudden 1908A thick &#pubC1: and palpable darkness fell around, 1909A blindness, &#pubC1: and dull groans &#pubC1: and piercing shrieks 1910A moment echoed; then they ceased, &#pubC1: and light 1911Burst forth &#pubC1: and musick,—light such as the flood 1912Of day-spring at the dawning, rosy sparkling, 1913An insupportable brightness!#pubC1: —A#pubC1: and i'th' midst, 1914Over the couch a milk white#pubC1: milk-white dove, which soared 1915Right upward, cleaving
,
with its train of light 1916The Heavens like a star. The couch remained 1917Vacant. 1918
King.Oh that the spirit so may pass! 1919So rise! Thrice didst thou say? 1920
Herb.Three times the vision 1921Passed o'er my fancy. 1922
King.A thrice blessed#pubC1: thrice-blessed omen! 1923Herbert my soul is full of serious joy 1924Content &#pubC1: and peaceful as the Autumn sun
1925When, smiling for awhile on the ripe sheaves 1926And kissing the brown woods, he bids the world 1927A calm G#pubC1: goodnight. Bear witness that I die 1928In charity with all men. A#pubC1: ; and take thou, 1929My kind &#pubC1: and faithful servant, follower 1930Of my evil fortunes true &#pubC1: and tender, take 1931All that thy master hath to give—his thanks, 1932His poor but honest thanks!#pubC1: . Another King 1933Shall better pay thee. Weep not. Seek the
Bishop; 1934And if thou meet with that fair
Constancy, 1935My mournful Henrietta, strive to turn 1936Her steps away till—I'm a coward yet
1937And fear her lest she come to plunge my thoughts 1938In the deep fountain of her sad fond tears, 1939To win me—Ha! C#pubC1: can that impatient foot, 1940That hurrying hand which shakes the door— 1941
Enter the Queen.
Queen.My Charles! 1942
King.Haste to the Bishop!#pubC1: . 1943
Exit Herbert.
Queen.Charles! 1944
King.Already here! 1945Thou didst fall trembling in my arms last night, 1946Dizzy &#pubC1: and faint &#pubC1: and spent, as the tired martlet, 1947Midway her voyage drops panting on the deck
1948And slumbers through the tempest. I kissed off 1949The tears that hung on thy#pubC1: those fair eyelids, blessing 1950Thy speechless weariness, thy weeping love 1951That sobbed itself to rest. Never did M#pubC1: mother
,
1952Watching her fevered infant,
pray for sleep 1953So calm, so deep so long as I besought 1954Of Heaven for thee
,
when half unconscious, yet 1955Moaning &#pubC1: and plaining like a dove, they bore thee 1956With gentle force away. And thou art here 1957Already! W#pubC1: wakened into sense &#pubC1: and life 1958And the days agony!#pubC1: . 1959
Queen.Here! I have been 1960To Harrison, to
Marten, to Lord
Fairfax, 1961To Downes, to Ireton. E#pubC1: ,— even at Bradshaw's feet 1962I've knelt to day. Sleep ! S#pubC1: now? shall I ev#pubC1: 'er sleep 1963Again! 1964
King.At Bradshaw's feet?#pubC1: ! Oh perfect love 1965How can I chide thee? Yet I would thou hadst spared 1966Thyself &#pubC1: and me that scorn. 1967
Queen.Do h#pubC1: Hunters scorn 1968The shrill cries of the lioness, whose cubs 1969They've snared, although the f#pubC1: Forest-Queen approach 1970Crouching? Do seamen scorn the forked lightning 1971Albeit the storm-cloud weep
s
? They strove to soothe; 1972They spake of pity; one of hope. 1973
King.Alas! 1974All thy life long the torturer H#pubC1: hope hath been 1975Thy M#pubC1: master!—Yet if she can steal an hour 1976From grief—W#pubC1: whom dost thou trust? 1977
Queen.Thyself &#pubC1: and Heaven 1978And a relenting woman. Wrap thyself 1979Close in my cloak—Here! H#pubC1: here!—T#pubC1: to Lady Fairfax! 1980She's faithful,#pubC1: ; she'll conceal thee!#pubC1: . Take the cloak!#pubC1: ;
1981Waste not a point of time, not while one#pubC1: whilst the grain of sand 1982Runs in the glass!#pubC1: . Dost fear its shortness? See 1983How long it is!
And I am tall. How oft
1984
In happier days thou hast floated me for height
1985
And stooped in pretty mockery to look
1986
Up at my eyes. On with the cloak! Begone!
1987 1988
King.And thou? 1989
Queen.My post is here. 1990
King.To perish
!
1991
Queen.No;#pubC1: ,
1992To live to a blest old age with thee in freedom!#pubC1: .
1993Away my Charles, my
King! I shall be safe— 1994And if I were not
,
could I live if thou— 1995Charles thou wilt madden me. 'Tis the first boon 1996I ever craved,#pubC1: ;
&#pubC1: and now by our young loves, 1997By our commingled griefs, a mighty spell, 1998Our smiling children, &#pubC1: and this bleeding land, 1999Go,#pubC1: ! I conjure thee, go! 2000
King.I cannot. 2001
Queen.King 2002Begone! or I will speak such truth—&#pubC1: and truth 2003Is a foul treason in this land—will rain 2004Such curses on them as shall force them to lay#pubC1: send me 2005My head upon the block. Fly! Fly!#pubC1: To the scaffold at thy side. Fly! 2006
Charles.Dost see 2007Fierce soldiers crowded round as if to watch 2008A garrisoned fort, rather than one unarmed 2009Defenceless man, &#pubC1: and thinkst thou I could win 2010A step unchallenged? Nor
,
though to escape 2011Were easy as to breathe, the vigilant guard 2012Smitten with sudden blindness, the unnumbered 2013And stirring swarms of this vast city locked 2014In charmed sleep, &#pubC1: and darkness over all 2015Blacker than starless night, spectral &#pubC1: and dim 2016As an eclipse at noon
-
tide, though the gates 2017Opened before me&#pubC1: ,#pubC1: and my feet were swift 2018As the Antelope's, not then
,
if it but perilled 2019A single hair of friend or foe
,
would I 2020Pass o'er the threshold. In my cause too much 2021Of blood hath fallen. Let mine seal all. I go 2022To D#pubC1: death as to a bridal; thou thyself 2023In thy young beauty was not welcomer 2024Than he. Farewell beloved wife! My chosen! 2025My dear one! We have loved as peasants
, sweetest,
2026
Rather than Princes,
been as fond as they,
2027
As happy & as true. Now Fare thee well!
2028Now fare thee well! 2029I thank thee&#pubC1: ,#pubC1: and I bless thee. Pray for me, 2030My Henrietta!#pubC1: . 2031
Queen.Charles thou shalt be saved. 2032Talk not of parting. I'll to Fairfax. H#pubC1: ; he 2033Gave hope&#pubC1: , and hope is life. 2034
Charles.Farewell! 2035
Queen.That word— 2036I prythee speak it not
!
—withers me, lives 2037Like a serpent's hiss within mine ear, shoo#pubC1: uts through 2038My veins like poison, twines &#pubC1: and coils about me 2039Clinging &#pubC1: and killing. 'Tis a sound accurst, 2040A word of death &#pubC1: and doom!#pubC1: . Why shouldst thou speak it? 2041
Thou shalt be saved! Fairfax shall save thee!—-Charles—-
2042Give me a ringlet of thy hair—No! no!#pubC1: No, no— 2043Not now! ot now!—#pubC1: Thou shalt not die. 2044
King.Sweet wife
2045Say to my children that my last fond thought— 2046
Queen.Last! Thou shalt live to tell them of thy thoughts 2047Longer than they or I to hear thee. Harken!
2048Promise thou wilt await me here.#pubC1: ! Let none— 2049They will not dare, they shall not. I but waste 2050The hour. To Fairfax,
the good Fairfax! Charles 2051Thou shalt not die
!
2052
Exit Queen.#pubC1: (Exit Queen.)
King.Oh fondest truest#pubC1: truest fondest woman! 2053My matchless wife!
—
The pang is mastered now!#pubC1: ,
2054I am Death's conqueror.— My Faithfullest! 2055My Fairest! My most
-
dear! I shall ne'er#pubC1: ne'er shall see 2056Those radiant looks again, or hear the sound 2057Of thy blythe#pubC1: b voice, which was a hope, or feel 2058The thrilling pressure of thy hand, almost 2059A language, so the ardent spirit burned 2060And vibrated within thee.—#pubC1: ! I'll to prayer, 2061And chase away that image.—#pubC1: ! I'll to prayer—#pubC1: ,
2062And pray for thee sweet wife! I'll to my prayers. 2063
Exit.
Scene—The Banqueting-house at Whitehall; glass folding doors opening on the scaffold, which is covered with black; the block
axe & visible. Officers & other persons are busy in the back-ground. Cromwell giving directions. Ireton, Hacker, & Harrison meeting. Cromwell! behind. #pubC1: —The Banquetting-House at Whitehall, glass folding-doors opening to the Scaffold, which is covered with black. The block,
axe, &c. visible ; Officers and other persons are busy inthe background, and Cromwell is also there giving directions.
Har.Cromwell!—Good #pubC1: -morrow Ireton.#pubC1: !Whither goes 2064The General? 2065
Ire.To see that all be ready 2066For this great deed. 2067
Hack.He hath the eager step, 2068The dark light in his eye, the upward look, 2069The flush upon his cheek that I've marked in him 2070When marching to the battle. 2071
Har.Doth he not lead 2072To day in a great combat, a most holy 2073And glorious victory? 2074
Crom.(at the back of the s#pubC1: Stage)Hast thou ta'en order 2075That soon as the head's off the
AbbeyWestminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England |
Collegiate Church of St. Peter at
Westminster
| Westminster | London | England |
51.4992921 -0.12730970000006891
| Gothic style church in Westminster, London, where
English monarchs have traditionally been crowned and buried since 1066. Many
important literary and historical figures are recognized with memorials
throughout this famous abbey. The present structure began construction in
1245 by King Henry III and
the two western towers were added in the early eighteenth century. —#ebb #lmw51.4992921 -0.12730970000006891 bell 2076Begin to toll? 2077
Officer.I have. 2078
Crom.Look that the axe 2079Be keen
&#pubC1: and the hand steady. Let us have 2080No butchery. 2081(advancing to the front of the s#pubC1: Stage.If he die not, we must perish— 2082That were as nothing;#pubC1: ! but with us will die 2083The liberty for which the blood of saints 2084And martyrs hath been spilt, freedom of act
2085Of speech, of will of faith! Better one gra#pubC1: ey 2086Discrowned head should fall, albeit a thought 2087Before the time, than God's own people groan 2088In slavery forever. 2089
Har.Whoso doubteth 2090But he shall die? 2091
Crom.'Tis rumoured, Sirs, amongst 2092The soldiery that one of a high place, 2093Fairfax—But I believe
it not. Hast thou 2094The w#pubC1: Warrant Hacker? 2095
Hack.No. 2096
Har.#pubC1: Ire.Since when doth Fairfax 2097Dare to impugn the sentence of a free 2098And public court, of EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691, of the Great#pubC1: — 2099
Har. 2100All-Righteous Judge
,
who hath delivered him 2101Manifestly to us? 2102
Ire.#pubC1: Will he dare oppose 2103Army &#pubC1: and people? h#pubC1: He alone?#pubC1: ! 2104
Crom.Be sure 2105The good Lord #pubC1: -General, howsoe'er some scruple 2106May trouble him, will play a godly part 2107In this sad drama.—Aye I have the w#pubC1: Warrant.#pubC1: ! 2108It is addressed to thee. Thou must receive 2109The prisoner&#pubC1: ,#pubC1: and conduct him hither. 2110
Hack.Hath 2111The hour been yet resolved? 2112
Crom.Not that I hear. 2113Enter Fairfax.Ha our great General! Well met my l#pubC1: Lord! 2114We that are laden with this heavy burthen 2115Lacked your sustaining aid.#pubC1: ! 2116
Fair.Cromwell I too 2117Am heavy #pubC1: -laden. 2118
Crom.You look ill at ease; 2119'Tis this chill air, the nourisher of rheums, 2120The very fog of frost, that turns men's blood 2121To water. 2122
Fair.No!#pubC1: , the grief is here. Regret, 2123Almost remorse, &#pubC1: and doubt &#pubC1: and fear of wrong 2124Press wear#pubC1: heavily upon me. Is this death 2125Lawful? 2126
Ire.His country's sentence, good my l#pubC1: Lord, 2127May be thy warrant. 2128
Fair.An anointed King! 2129
Har.A bloody tyrant. 2130
Fair.Yet a man, whose doom 2131Lies on our conscience.
(t#pubC1: To Cromwell)
We might save the King 2132Even now at the eleventh hour. W#pubC1: ; we two 2133Hold the nice scales of life &#pubC1: and death, &#pubC1: and shall not 2134Fair M#pubC1: mercy sway the balance? Dost thou hear me? 2135Wilt thou not answer? Canst thou doubt our power? 2136
Crom.No. Man hath always power for ill. I know 2137We might desert our friends, betray our country, 2138Abandon our great cause, &#pubC1: and sell our souls 2139To Hell
—
. We might do
do
this&#pubC1: ,#pubC1: and more; might shroud 2140These devilish sins in holy names, &#pubC1: and call them 2141Loyalty, Honour, Faith, Repentance. C#pubC1: —cheats 2142Which the great Tempter loves.#pubC1: ! 2143
Fair.Yet hearken
Cromwell! 2144Bethink thee of thy fame
!
2145
Crom.Talk'st thou of fame 2146To me? I am too mean a man, too lowly, 2147Too poor in state &#pubC1: and name to need abjure 2148That princely sin, &#pubC1: and for my humbleness 2149I duly render thanks. Were I as thou— 2150Beware the lust of fame, Lord
General!#pubC1: ,
2151Of perishable fame, vain breath of man!#pubC1: ,
2152Slight bubble, frailer than the ocean foam 2153Which from her prow the good ship in her course 2154Scattereth &#pubC1: and passeth on regardlessly. 2155Lord General beware! 2156
Fair.I am Lord General,#pubC1: ;
2157And I alone by mine own voice have power 2158To stay this deed. 2159
Crom.Alone? 2160
Fair.I'll answer it 2161Before the Council. 2162
Crom.Ha! A#pubC1: alone!C#pubC1: come nearer!#pubC1: . 2163
(advancing to the front of the
stage)
Fair.What wouldst thou with#pubC1: of me? 2164
Crom.Yonder men are firm 2165And honest in the cause, &#pubC1: and brave as steel;
—
2166Yet are they zealots, blind &#pubC1: and furious zealots! 2167I would not they should hear us—B#pubC1: bloody zealots! 2168
Fair.Speak Sir!#pubC1: ; we waste the hour. 2169
Crom.I would confess 2170Relentings like thine own—They hear us not? 2171
Fair.I joy to hear thee. 2172
Crom.Thou art one elect, 2173A leader in the land, a chosen vessel 2174And yet of such a mild &#pubC1: and gracious mood, 2175That I, stern as I seem, may doff to thee 2176This smooth &#pubC1: and governed mask of polity, 2177And shew the struggling heart perplexed &#pubC1: and grieved 2178In all its nakedness. Yes!#pubC1: , I have known 2179The kindly natural love of man to man 2180His fellow,#pubC1: !—the rough soldier's shuddering hate 2181Of violent death save in the battle,#pubC1: ; lastly 2182A passionate yearning for that sweetest power 2183Born of fair Mercy. 2184
Fair.Yet but now thou chidd'st me 2185And with a lofty scorn for such a weakness. 2186The change is sudden. 2187
Crom.Good my L#pubC1: lord I strove 2188And wrestled with each pitying thought as born 2189Of earthly pride &#pubC1: and mortal sin. Full oft 2190We that are watchers of our wretched selves
2191Aiming at phigher virtues trample down 2192Fair shoots of charity &#pubC1: and gentle love,
2193Yet still my breast was troubled;#pubC1: .
&#pubC1: and since thou 2194Art moved by such relentings— 2195
Fair.And a promise 2196Made to my wife. 2197
Crom.A wise &#pubC1: and pious lady! 2198
Fair.Thou wilt then save the King? 2199
Crom.Sir!#pubC1: , we must have 2200Some higher warrantry than our wild will
2201Our treacherous human will afore we change 2202The fiat of a nation. Thou art a man 2203Elect &#pubC1: and godly.
—Harrison!—G#pubC1: go seek 2204The presence of the Lord. Perhaps to thee 2205A guiding answer a divine impulsion, 2206May be vouchsafed. Go with him Harrison! 2207Seek ye the Lord together. 2208
Fair.'Tis a fair#pubC1: wise 2209And pious counsel. 2210
Crom.Step apart awhile; 2211We will await ye here. 2212Exeunt Fairfax
&#pubC1: and
Harrison.
(Cromwell then gives the warrant to Hacker.)
Now! N#pubC1: now! B#pubC1: be quick! 2213
Exit Hacker
Is the scaffold all prepared? The headsman waiting 2214With shrouded visage &#pubC1: and bare arm? The axe 2215Whetted? Be ready on the instant. Where 2216Be guards to line the room, mute wondering faces, 2217A living tapestry, &#pubC1: and men of place 2218To witness this great deed? A King should fall 2219Decked with the pageantries of Death, the clouds 2220That roll around the setting sun. 2221
Ire.If Fairfax 2222Return before he come— 2223
Crom.Dost thou mistrust 2224Harrison's gift in
prayer? The General's safe. 2225Besides I sent erewhile the Halberdiers 2226To guard Charles
Stuart hither. Hacker'll
meet 2227His prisoner. 2228
Ire.But should Fairfax— 2229
Crom.Wherefore waste 2230A word on such a waverer?#pubC1: ! 2231
Ire.What hath swayed him? 2232
Crom.His wife! his wife! The Queen hath seen again 2233That haughty dame, &#pubC1: and her fond tears— 2234
Ire.I marvel 2235That thou endur'st that popish witch of
FranceFrance |
46.227638 2.213749000000007
| Country in western Europe. Paris is the capital and largest city.—#bas46.227638 2.213749000000007 2236So near. 2237
Crom.I watch her. He must die.#pubC1: ! 'Tis borne 2238Upon my soul as what shall be. The race, 2239The name shall perish. 2240
Ire.Aye the very name 2241Of King. 2242
Crom.Of Stuart. 2243
Ire.And of King. 2244
Crom.So be it. 2245Will Bradshaw never come? 2246
Enter Bradshaw, Marten, Cook & others.#pubC1: Bradshaw, Cook, Marten, and others.Ah welcome! welcome! 2247Ye are late. 2248
Brad.Yon living mass is hard to pierce 2249By men of civil calling. The armed soldiers 2250Can scantly force a passage for their prisoner. 2251
Crom.He comes? 2252
Brad.He's at the gate. 2253
Ire.What say the people 2254
Brad.The most are pale &#pubC1: and silent, as a Fear 2255Hung its dull shadow over them; whilst some 2256Struck with a sudden pity weep &#pubC1: and wonder 2257What ails them; &#pubC1: and a few bold tongues are loud 2258In execration. 2259
Ire.And the soldiers? 2260
Mar.They 2261Are true to the good cause. 2262
Crom.The righteous cause! 2263My friends &#pubC1: and comrades ye are come to witness 2264The mighty consummation. See the sun 2265Breaks forth! The Heavens look down upon our work 2266Smiling! The Lord hath risen! 2267
Ire.The King! 2268
Enter the King, Hacker,
Herbert, a Bishop, g#pubC1: Guards &c.
King.Why pause ye? 2269Come on!#pubC1: . 2270
Herb.
(giving the
King a letter)
Sir, from thy s#pubC1: Son. 2271
King.My boy! My boy! 2272No, no,#pubC1: No; no; this letter is of life, &#pubC1: and I 2273And life have shaken hands. My K#pubC1: kingly boy! 2274And the fair girl! I thought to have done with this—#pubC1: .
2275But it so clings! Take back the letter
Herbert!#pubC1: .
2276Take it I say. Forgive me faithful Herbert, 2277That last impatient word!#pubC1: . Forgive me!—#pubC1: . Now Sirs 2278What see ye on that platform? I am as one 2279Bent on a far &#pubC1: and perilous voyage, who seeks 2280To hear what rocks beset his track.—#pubC1: path. What see ye? 2281
Brad.Only the black-masked headsman. 2282
King.Aye he wears 2283His mask upon his face;#pubC1: , an honest mask!#pubC1: .
2284What see ye more? 2285
Brad.Nought
,
save the living sea 2286Of human faces, blent into one mass 2287Of sentient various life;#pubC1: : woman &#pubC1: and man, 2288Childhood &#pubC1: and infancy&#pubC1: ,#pubC1: and youth &#pubC1: and age
2289Commingled
,
with its multitudinous eyes 2290Upturned in expectation. Aweful gaze 2291Who may abide thy power!#pubC1: ? 2292
King.I shall look upward. 2293Why pause we here? 2294
Crom.Aye, why!!#pubC1: ? 2295
Brad.May it please thee, Sir, 2296To rest awhile? Bring wine. 2297
King.I need it not. 2298Yes! fill the cup! fill high the sparkling cup! 2299This is a holiday to loyal breasts, 2300The King's accession day. Fill high! fill high! 2301The block, the scaffold, the
quick
swift sudden axe
2302Have yet a privilege beyond the slow 2303And painful dying bed, &#pubC1: and I may quaff 2304In my full pride of strength a health to him, 2305Whom in one short half hour my funeral knell#pubC1: Whom, pass one short half-hour, the funeral knell 2306Proclaims my successor:—#pubC1: . Health to my son! 2307Health to the King of EnglandEngland |
52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691
| Country in the British Isles. Borders Scotland and Wales. London is the capital
city, and is situated on the River Thames.—#bas52.3555177 -1.1743197000000691!
—
Start ye, Sirs, 2308To hear the word? Health to King Charles!#pubC1: ,#pubC1: and
&
peace
2309To this fair realm! And when that blessed time 2310Of rightful rule shall come, say that I left 2311For the bold traitors that condemned, the cowards 2312That#pubC1: Whonot opposing murdered me—#pubC1: (I have won 2313So near the t#pubC1: Throne of Truth that
true words spring 2314Unbidden from my lips) say that I left 2315A pardon liberal as the air to all
2316A free &#pubC1: and royal pardon!—Prythee speed me 2317On my rough journey. 2318
Crom.Wherefore crowd ye there? 2319Make way!#pubC1: .
2320
King.I thank thee Sir. My good Lord Bishop
2321Beware the step.
2322
Exeunt King, Herbert, Bishop, and guards. A pause.
Crom.Doth he address the people? 2323
Mar.Not so, h#pubC1: . He kneels. 2324
Crom.'Twere fittest. Close the door
2325This wintery air comes#pubC1: is chill, &#pubC1: and the Lord President 2326Is of a feeble body. 2327
(Scream without)
Brad.Hark#pubC1: ush! 2328
Crom.'Tis one 2329Who must be stayed. 2330
Brad.The Queen? 2331
Crom.Go stop her
Ireton!#pubC1: .
2332Exit Ireton.It were not meet that earthly loves should mingle 2333With yonder dying prayer. Yes! Still he kneels. 2334Hacker come hither!#pubC1: . If thou see a stir 2335Amongst the crowd, send for my horse,#pubC1: ; they're ready.#pubC1: ;— 2336Or if midst
these
grave men some feeble heart 2337Wax faint in the great cause—#pubC1: , as such there be!#pubC1: ;— 2338Or on the scaffold, if he cling to life 2339Too fondly—I'd not send a sinful soul 2340Before his time to his account#pubC1: accompt#pubC1: , good Bradshaw!
—
2341But no delay!—#pubC1: Is he still kneeling?—Mark me
,
2342No idle dalliance Hacker! I must hence, 2343Lest Fairfax—No#pubC1: no weak dalliance! No#pubC1: no delay!
—
2344The cause!#pubC1: , the cause!#pubC1: , good Bradshaw! 2345
Exit &#pubC1: and the s#pubC1: Scene closes
Scene—another gallery in Whitehall.
Enter Enter Cromwell.
Enter Cromwell.
Crom.Methought I heard her here—No!—if she win 2346To Fairfax—H#pubC1: he must die, as Ahab erst
,
2347Or Rehoboam;#pubC1: , or as that great H#pubC1: heathen 2348Whom Brutus loved &#pubC1: and slew. None ever called 2349Brutus a murderer! And
Charles had trial,#pubC1: —
2350'Twas more than Caesar had,#pubC1: !—free open trial, 2351If he had pleaded;#pubC1: . But the Eternal Wrath 2352Stiffened him in his pride. It was ordained 2353And I but an impassive instrument 2354In the Almighty hand;#pubC1: , an arrow chosen 2355From out the sheaf. If I should reign hereafter 2356Men shall not call me bloody—Hark! the bell!
—
2357No—all is hush as midnight—I shall be 2358Tenderer of English lives. Have they forgot 2359To sound the bell? He must be dead. 2360
Queen.(without)Lord Fairfax! 2361
Crom.The Queen! the Queen! 2362
Enter the Queen.
Queen.They told me he was here;— 2363I see him not; #pubC1: ,—but I have wept me blind; 2364And then that axe, that keen bright edgy axe, 2365Which flashed across my eyeballs, blinding me 2366More than a sea of tears.—Here's one#pubC1: ! : Oh fly,
2367If thou be man, and bid the H#pubC1: headsman stay 2368His blow for one short hour one little hour 2369Till I have found Lord Fairfax! Thou shalt
have 2370Gold, mines of gold. Fly! Save him! Save the King!#pubC1: Gold, mines of gold! Oh save him! Save the King! 2371
Crom.Peace! P#pubC1: peace! Have comfort! 2372
Queen.Comfort! A#pubC1: and he dies!#pubC1: , 2373They murder him!#pubC1: ; the axe falls on his neck!#pubC1: ; 2374The blood comes plashing!#pubC1: ;—Comfort! 2375
Enter Lady
Fairfax.
Lady F.Out alas! 2376I can hear nought of Fairfax, royal Madam.#pubC1: !— 2377Cromwell the Master-murderer! 2378
Queen.Oh forgive her 2379She knows not what she says. If thou be Cromwell 2380Thou hast the power to rescue.#pubC1: : See I kneel,#pubC1: ; 2381I kiss thy feet. Oh save him! Take the crown,#pubC1: ; 2382Take all but his dear life! Oh save him, save him 2383And I will be thy slave! #pubC1: —I a born Princess, 2384I a crowned Queen will be thy slave!#pubC1: . 2385
Crom.Arise! 2386My Lady Fairfax lead this frantic
woman 2387To where her children bide. 2388
Queen.Thou wilt not make 2389My children fatherless? Oh mercy! m#pubC1: Mercy! 2390I have a girl, a weeping innocent girl 2391That never learnt to smile, &#pubC1: and she shall be 2392Thy handmaid; she shall tend thy daughters;#pubC1: . I, 2393That was so proud, offer my fairest child 2394To be thy bondwoman. 2395
Crom.Raise her! Undo 2396These clasping hands!#pubC1: . I marvel Lady
Fairfax 2397Thou canst endure to see a creature kneel 2398To one create. 2399
Lady F.Out on thee H#pubC1: hypocrite! 2400Where lags my husband? 2401
Queen.Save him!#pubC1: , save him Cromwell! 2402
Crom.Woman arise! Will this long agony 2403Endure forever? 2404Enter Ireton,
followed by Fairfax and Harrison.Is he dead? 2405
Fair.What means 2406This piercing outcry? 2407
Queen.Fairfax! He is saved! 2408He is saved! 2409
Ire.The bell! the AbbeyWestminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England |
Collegiate Church of St. Peter at
Westminster
| Westminster | London | England |
51.4992921 -0.12730970000006891
| Gothic style church in Westminster, London, where
English monarchs have traditionally been crowned and buried since 1066. Many
important literary and historical figures are recognized with memorials
throughout this famous abbey. The present structure began construction in
1245 by King Henry III and
the two western towers were added in the early eighteenth century. —#ebb #lmw51.4992921 -0.12730970000006891 bell! Hark! 2410
Crom.There 2411The will of Heaven spake;#pubC1: . The King is dead. 2412
Fair.Look to the Queen. Cromwell this bloody
work 2413Is thine. 2414
Crom.This work is mine. For yon sad dame 2415She shall away to FranceFrance |
46.227638 2.213749000000007
| Country in western Europe. Paris is the capital and largest city.—#bas46.227638 2.213749000000007. This
deed is mine 2416And I will answer it. The Commonwealth 2417Is firmly 'stablished Ireton. Harrison, 2418The Saints shall rule in IsraelIsrael |
land of Israel
|
31.046051 34.85161199999993
| In Mitford’s time, the ancient
lost kingdom of the Hebrews, known as the "land of Israel." Now the State of
Israel, a unitary parliamentary republic.—#ebb31.046051 34.85161199999993. My Lord General 2419The army is thine own, &#pubC1: and I a soldier 2420A lowly follower in the C#pubC1: cause.
[16] An X in ink appears here in another hand, likely to mark the end of the manuscript.—#rnesThis deed 2421Is mine.— 2422
End of the Play#pubC1: END OF THE PLAY.
PRINTED BY JOHN DUNCOMBE AND CO.10, MIDDLE ROW, HOLBORN.
Last modified: 2018-05-26T23:45:54.821-04:00