Oliver Cromwell | Page 9

way the battle went, the
advantage at one time being here, at another there. Their horsemen
behaved very well, being commanded by Prince Rupert, a soldier of

great courage in the field. Your Cousin Hampden managed a regiment
with much honour, and twice or thrice delivered our cause. We were
engaged until night stayed us. Some four thousand were slain, their loss,
I hear, being the greater. Of the sixty in my own troop, eighteen fell.
We had commendation from the general, and indeed I think we did not
fail in resolution. But this matter will not be accomplished save we
build, as it were, again from the foundation. This is God's service, and
all must be given. To which end I am now coming home, to call out all
such men as have the love of England in their hearts, and fear God. I
shall labour with them. It seems to me that I shall be called to great
trust in this, and I will set such example as I can. Expect me as soon as
you receive this, for indeed I leave London as soon almost as my letter.
Your mother I saw here with her nephew. She loves you as I do. Henry
Ireton comes with me--he served very stoutly at Edgehill, and hath a
gunshot in the arm. None is like to serve these times better than he.
Give my loving duty to your grandmother, which I shall at once deliver
myself. God bless you. Your affectionate Father.
Mrs. Cromwell: You are born into a great story, child. I am old.
Bridget: It's wonderful. To stand like that.
Mrs. Cromwell: Not wonder only, girl. There are griefs.
Bridget: They are wonderful, too, I think.
Mrs. Cromwell: Youth, you are dear. With an old woman, it's all
reckoning. One sees the follies then of this man and that.
Bridget: It had to come, grandmother. The King was taking all.
Mrs. Cromwell: It had to come. Men were no wiser than that. To make
this of the land! One Cain, as your father says.
Bridget: It's as though life were different, suddenly. Do you feel it,
grandmother?
Mrs. Cromwell: I know. There are times when wrath comes, and beauty

is forgotten. But it must be.
Bridget (from the letter): "This is God's service, and all must be given."
Mrs. Cromwell: Yes. Even that.
Bridget: But you do think father is right?
Mrs. Cromwell: Yes, child. He could do no other. That's his tribute to
necessity. We all pay it. He will pay it greatly. We may be sure of that.
(Horses are heard outside.)
Here they are.
(BRIDGET goes out to meet CROMWELL and IRETON, with whom
she returns in a moment. IRETON'S right arm is in a sling. MRS.
CROMWELL has put her book aside, and is standing. She embraces
OLIVER.)
Cromwell: Well, mother. Almost before our own tidings, eh?
Mrs. Cromwell: Bless you, son. How d'ye do, Henry Ireton? (Shaking
hands with him.) Is it Colonel Ireton yet?
Ireton: No, ma'am.
Cromwell: Soon, mother. He is marked.
Bridget: Is the arm--
Ireton: No, nothing.
Cromwell: The mayor has not come yet?
Bridget: No. You expect him?
Cromwell: Yes. We must work at once.

(A bell rings.)
Bridget: That may be the mayor. I will bring him.
(She goes out.)
Cromwell: Elizabeth sends her devotion to you, mother.
Mrs. Cromwell: Thank her, truly. Well, boy, it has begun?
Cromwell: We must dispute it to the end now.
Mrs. Cromwell: May England prosper by you.
Cromwell: With God's help, amen.
(BRIDGET returns with the MAYOR of Ely.)
Cromwell: Welcome, Mr. Mayor.
The Mayor: Your good-day, Captain Cromwell. (To MRS.
CROMWELL.) Ma'am. (To IRETON.) Sir.
Cromwell: Will you sit?
(They all sit, MRS. CROMWELL, BRIDGET, and IRETON by the fire.
CROMWELL and the MAYOR at the table.)
The Mayor: At Edgehill in Warwickshire, I hear?
Cromwell: Yes.
The Mayor: The issue was left uncertain, it is said?
Cromwell: Of that battle, yes. But I think the issue was there decided,
some few of us there learning what must now be done. Those few held
firmly at Edgehill, keeping us as far from defeat as we were, though
that was little enough. For our troops are most of them old decayed
serving-men, and tapsters, and such kind of fellows; and their troops

are gentlemen's sons, younger sons and persons of quality. Do you
think that the spirits of such base, mean fellows will ever be able to
encounter gentlemen, that have honour and courage and resolution in
them? We must get men of a spirit that is likely to go on as far as
gentlemen will go, or we shall be beaten still. We must raise such men
as have the fear of God before them, such men as make some
conscience of what