Oliver Cromwell | Page 3

We say that they should serve the laws.
Ireton: It was just when Mr. Hampden was being heard. The law they
said was the King's old and loyal servant: that lex was not rex, but that
none could gainsay that rex was lex.
Hampden: That's what we shall have to decide, and before long, I
think.

Bridget: Father says that.
Mrs. Cromwell: This house is ready for any kind of revolution, John.
Ireton: But you find it everywhere, ma'am. All along the countryside,
in the markets, in the church porches--everywhere.
Elizabeth: Is the vine doing well this year, John?
Hampden: It's the best year I remember.
Elizabeth: Ours, too.
Bridget: Were you there, Mr. Ireton, when Cousin John's case was
tried?
Ireton: Yes.
Bridget: It was splendid, wasn't it--although he lost, I mean?
Ireton: It was the note of deliverance.
Bridget: I wish I could have been there, Cousin John.
Mrs. Cromwell: Will you give me my shawl, Henry Ireton. (He does
so.) There's Oliver coming. Now you can all be thunder.
Bridget: Now, grandmother, you know you don't think it's just that.
Mrs. Cromwell: So you have hope for me yet, miss?
Bridget: Grandmother.
(CROMWELL comes in. He is in plain country dress. His age is forty.)
Cromwell: John--it's good to see you. You're an hour before reckoning.
(Taking HAMPDEN'S hand.)
Hampden: Yes, Oliver. Is all well?

Cromwell: Not that--but our courage is well enough. You are very
welcome, Henry. (Taking his hand.) Was it good travelling?
Ireton: Not a bad mile on the journey.
Bridget: Father, Mr. Ireton heard Cousin John's case tried. Wasn't he
lucky?
Cromwell: Whoever heard that heard history being made, John. It was a
great example to set.
Hampden: One works from the spirit, Oliver.
Cromwell: That's what we must do. You've heard about this affair
down here?
Hampden: The common? Yes.
Cromwell: There's to be no yielding about that.
Hampden: I'm glad of it, Oliver.
Mrs. Cromwell: What will it all come to, John?
Cromwell: There are times, mother, when we may not count the cost.
Mrs. Cromwell: You're very vexatious sometimes, Oliver.
Cromwell: But you know I'm right in this, mother.
Mrs. Cromwell: Being right doesn't make you less vexatious.
Elizabeth: Have they finished in Long Close?
Cromwell: Yes. They will be here soon.
Bridget: They all come up from the field for prayers, Mr. Ireton, at the
day's end.

Hampden: Is your hay good, Oliver?
Cromwell: I haven't much down this year. What there is, is good.
Hampden: We got the floods too late. But it has mended well enough.
Bridget: The dancers came for some money, father.
Elizabeth: Shall I give them something?
Cromwell: To be sure.
Elizabeth: How much?
Cromwell: Oh--a crown or two.
Hampden: Dancers?
Cromwell: Aye, John. Don't you hold with them?
Hampden: They're no offence, perhaps--but I'm never quite sure.
Cromwell: Oh, but be sure, John. We must make no mistake about that.
They are lovely, the dancers. I'm all for singing and dancing. The Lord
is one to sing and dance, I'll be bound.
Mrs. Cromwell: Now you talk sense, Oliver. Mr. Herrick is very clear
about that. So was David.
Ireton: Who is Mr. Herrick, ma'am?
Mrs. Cromwell: He's a poet, young man. And he's for being quiet, and
not bustling about everywhere. You ought to read him.
Ireton: Do you know Mr. Herrick's work, Mr. Hampden?
Hampden: I've nothing to say against that, though it's not very serious.
Mrs. Cromwell: Don't be silly, Mr. Hampden--if you excuse me for

saying so. Mr. Herrick is very serious indeed, only he isn't always
telling us of it.
Hampden: Yes: perhaps you're right, ma'am. I prefer George Herbert.
Bridget: Yes, I like his book, too, Cousin John.
Mrs. Cromwell: Well, it's no bad judgment to stand for Mr. Herbert.
Only I won't have nonsense talked about Mr. Herrick.
Elizabeth: Are you ready, Oliver? They are coming.
Oliver: Yes. (To HAMPDEN and IRETON.) Friends, you are welcome
to this house.
(The labourers from the farm are gathering outside the window. The
people in the room form towards them.)
Cromwell: Brethren in God, at the end of another day's labour we are
met to praise Him from whom are the means to labour and its rewards.
As we go about these fields, He is with us. As you deal by me, and I by
you, His eye sees us. Nothing good befalls us but it is by His will, no
affliction is ours but His loving mercy will hear us. The Lord God
walks at our hand. He is here now in our midst. His desires are our
freedom, His wrath our tyranny one over another. Be very merciful in
all your ways, for mercy is His name. May His counsel be always with
our little fellowship. If I should fail towards