_Arth._ _He_ hath done us no offence, Ye would not slay him, if ye had him here. I tell ye, banish Charles, this present man, And none shall question, whilst his feeble race And name shall dwindle hence, as shall arise The fair proportions of our Commonwealth On the decay of kings, not on the death Of one weak monarch.-- What! doth any here Wish that himself be king? _Crom._ He raves! _Vane._ Nay! listen! He hath much reason. _Crom._ [_Throws a cushion at Ludlow._] Ho! there regicide! Have at thee! [_Confusion._] _Arth._ [ Vainly attempts to speak.] Gentlemen, I say then--Hear! [_MILTON and others commence leaving. LUDLOW pursues CROMWELL, who finally runs down stairs, pursued by the former._] _Arth._ [_To Milton._] Nay! nay! my friend. _Milt._ Another time. This is not seemly. _Har._ Surely, doth the Lord Need us elsewhere. Who holdeth forth below? [_They all go but Arthur._] _Re-enter CROMWELL from the stairs._ _Crom._ I do protest that I am out of breath-- Yet I commend thy reasoning. _Arth._ But, my Lord.-- _Crom._ That rascal, Ludlow! _Arth._ Will the trial be? _Crom._ 'Twould justify us much. _Arth._ But if he die-- _Crom._ [_In a hurried tone and walking off._] It is not thy affair, or mine--Why now-- Let's talk anon, I'm tir'd. Hast thou seen My daughter Frances?--fares she well to-day? Give me thine arm--I do admire thy reasons. You see, these angry fanatics boil over; 'Twill simmer down anon--The king must live. And yet he hath done much--wrought evil work, And so-- [_Exeunt. CROMWELL leaning on his arm and talking rapidly._] END OF ACT III. ACT IV SCENE I. [_2nd Grooves._] _GURTON'S Ale House._ _Host and Guests._ _Host._ So they say the king is to die. Well, his head hath swung at my door many a year, and I cannot say but that there was custom. Good day to you, Master Gilead Stubbs, you have a good mile to walk. Shall the boy go with you? _Mast. Stubbs._ Nay! nay! I thank you, I will with Master Jesson here. You have lost the Captain. Where is he?-- _Host._ What, that Wyckoff? Gone, and his score left unpaid. Moreover, I think 'twas he that hid my keys. _A Guest._ Ah! how was it? _Host._ I have never lost them before. It was in my secret place, and yon Wyckoff had to do with it. He was drunk the morning I missed them without being served. I am glad he is gone. _Guests._ Good day, Master Newborn, good day.