Oliver Cromwell | Page 5

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 candles. A member is speaking.
The Member: That the grievances set out in this Remonstrance now before you are just is clear. The matter has been debated by us these eight hours, and none has been able to deny the wrongs which are here set forth. It is not well with our state, and correction is needed. Mr. Ireton has very clearly shown us how this is. But we must be wary. The King is the King, a necessary part, as it must seem to us, of the government of this country.
(There are murmurs for and against this; assent in the majority.)
To pass this Remonstrance can be no other than to pass a vote of no confidence in that King. Consider this. Saying so much, how shall you deny to overthrow the crown if need be? And who among you is willing to bear that burden?
(The murmurs grow to conflicting cries.)
I beseech you let us not commit ourselves thus. Nor do not think I am weak in zeal. There are evil counsellors with the King, and they would destroy us. Our liberties must be looked to. But there should be moderation in this act. We should choose some other way. We must defend ourselves, but we must not challenge the King's authority so.
(He sits down to a confusion of voices, and HAMPDEN rises.)
Hampden: My friend, I think, is deceived. This Remonstrance is not against the King. It is from the people of this country against a policy. We desire no judgment--all we ask is redress. If we assert ourselves as in