Oliver Cromwell | Page 5

soiled his
majesty in treating Mr. Prynne and Mr. Bastwick so. Say that you and
your like are reviled by all honest men.
Ireton: And you can say that it is no fear of earls or kings that spared
you the whipping you would deserve if you were better than shadows.
Bridget: Well said, Mr. Ireton.
(There is a demonstration of anger from the labourers, but
CROMWELL checks it.)
Mrs. Cromwell: Now, Henry Ireton, these gentlemen may be bears, but
I won't have you make this room into a bear-pit.
Cromwell: No, friends, these men say but what they are sent to say. (To
the agents.) I should not speak to you but in the hope that you will
report it to those that should know. I am a plain burgess of this city. I
farm a few lands and am known to none. But I have a faith that the
people of this country are born to be, under God, a free people. That is
the fundamental principle of this English life, If your masters, be they
who they may, forget that, then, as you say, there will be lessons to be
learnt. Here in Ely it is my part to see that my fellows do not lose their
birthright. You shall not find us ignorant nor afraid. I would have no
violence; let all be by persuasion and tolerance. But these just liberties
must not be touched. Will you ask my Lord of Bedford to reconsider
this?

Second Agent: His Lordship will reconsider nothing. The proclamation
is to-morrow.
Cromwell: I have no more to say.
First Agent: Be you wary, Mr. Cromwell. These arrogances have their
penalties. The King's anger is not light.
Cromwell: You threaten idly. My word is one spoken throughout the
land. You can say so.
Second Agent: Mr. Cromwell, we do not--
Cromwell: My mind is fixed. I think I have made my intention clear.
That is all. You may go.
(There is again a movement against them as they go, followed by the
labourers.)
Cromwell: Seth.
Seth: Yes, sir.
Cromwell: Ask your father to stay, will you? We shall want a song
after that.
Seth: Yes, sir. (He calls from the window.) Father. Master wants you to
sing.
(AMOS TANNER comes back.)
Cromwell: Thank you, Amos. Just a minute, will you? When will
supper be, wife?
Elizabeth: In half an hour.
Cromwell: How would a turn at bowling be, John?
Hampden: Done.

Cromwell: Henry, you, too?
Ireton: Yes; and, Mr. Cromwell--
Cromwell: Yes.
Ireton: I don't know how things are going. But I feel that great events
are making and that you and Mr. Hampden here may have power to use
men. If it should be so, I would be used. That is all.
Cromwell: John's the man. I'm likely enough to stay the rest of my days
in Ely.
Ireton: I don't think so, sir.
Cromwell: No? Well. A glass of sherry, John--or gin?
Hampden: Sherry, Oliver.
(CROMWELL pours out the sherry.)
Cromwell: Henry?
Ireton: Thank you.
Cromwell (giving glasses): Amos?
Amos: I'd liefer have a pot of ale, master, if might be.
Cromwell: Yes, yes. Bridget, girl.
(BRIDGET goes.)
Mrs. Cromwell: Oliver, boy, you were quite right--all that you said to
those men, I mean. I don't approve, mind you, but you were quite right.
Cromwell: Thank you, mother. I knew you would think so.
Elizabeth: I wonder what will come of it. You never know, once you

begin like this.
Cromwell: You never know, wife.
Hampden: There are lessons to be learnt.
Cromwell: That's what they said.
(BRIDGET returns with a foaming pot of ale, which she gives to
AMOS.)
Cromwell (drinking): To freedom, John. That's good sherry. I respect
not such ill reasoners as would keep all wine out of the country lest
men should be drunk. Now, Amos. Come along, John, my touch was
good last night. I shall beat you.
(He goes out on to the lawn beyond the window, with HAMPDEN and
IRETON. They are seen passing to and fro, playing bowls.)
Amos (singing:) When I shall in the churchyard lie, Poor scholar though
I be, The wheat, the barley, and the rye Will better wear for me.
For truly have I ploughed and sown, And kept my acres clean; And
written on my churchyard stone This character be seen:
"His flocks, his barns, his gear he made His daily diligence, Nor
counted all his earnings paid In pockets full of pence."
(As he finishes, the bowlers stand listening at the window.)
THE SCENE CLOSES

SCENE II
The Commons of England in session at St. Hepburn's Chapel,
Westminster, on November 22, 1641. CROMWELL, HAMPDEN,
IRETON among those sitting. We see the east end of the Chapel, with

the SPEAKER. It is past midnight, and the house is lighted with