CROMWELL A Drama, in Five Acts by ALFRED B. RICHARDS Author of "CROESUS, King of Lydia," a Tragedy; "VANDYCK," a Play of Genoa, "DEATH AND THE MAGDALEN," and other Poems; "THE DREAM OF THE SOUL," and other Poems; "OXFORD UNMASKED;" Part II of "BRITAIN REDEEMED;" and "POEMS, ESSAYS AND OPINIONS." London: Printed by Petter, Duff, and Co. Playhouse Yard, Blackfriars MDCCCLII DRAMATIS PERSONAE. CROMWELL. MILTON, his Secretary. ARTHUR WALTON. BASIL, his Half-Brother. SIR SIMON NEVEL, their Uncle. IRETON, Son-in-law of Cromwell. HARRISON, ) DESBOROUGH, ) BRADSHAW, ) MARTEN, ) Parliamentarians. LILBURNE, ) HACKER, ) LUDLOW, ) SIR HARRY VANE, ) WILLIAM, Servant to Arthur. HEZEKIAH NEWBORN, Host. PEARSON, Attendant on Cromwell. WYCKOFF, Accomplice of Basil. BOWTELL, an Ironside. Cavaliers, Roundheads, Officers, Gentlemen, Soldiers, Guests of the Inn, Poachers, Citizens, a Preacher, Old Man, Trooper, Servants, Messengers, &c., &c. THE LADY CROMWELL. ELIZABETH, her Daughter. FLORENCE NEVEL, Daughter of Sir Simon. LADY FAIRFAX. BARBARA, Maid of Florence. Attendants, Women, &c. CROMWELL. ACT I. SCENE I. [_1st Cut._] [_2nd Grooves._] _A Lane near a Village. Afternoon._ _Enter ARTHUR WALTON and WILLIAM, R.S.E._ _Arthur._ Give me your arm, my feet tread heavily; The sameness of this scene doth pierce my heart With thronging recollections of the past. There is nought chang'd--and what a world of care, Of sorrow, passion, pleasure have I known, Since but a natural part of this was I, Whose voice is now a discord to the sounds Once daily mellow'd in my youthful being. Methinks I feel like one that long hath read A strange and chequer'd story, and doth rise, With a deep sigh to be _himself_ again. _Will._ One would not think, Sir, how much blood had stain'd Old England, since we left her, finding thus All things so peaceful; but one thing I mark'd As we did skirt the village. _Arth._ What was that? _Will._ The king's face was defac'd--the sign o' the inn At jolly Master Gurton's--mind you not How sad it look'd? Yet 'neath it I've been gay, A time or two; 'tis not my fortune now: Those bright Italian skies have even marr'd My judgment of clear ale. _Arth._ I'faith 'twill need A marvellous scant repair. _Will._ One jovial day Of honest mud and wholesome English fog.