Or, if thou hast stood already, Shrivell'd, but for His mercy, into nought, Before the blaze of Heaven's offended eye, And hast receiv'd thy sentence--Hear me, thence! There is none with us now! Thus then I lay my hand upon thy breast, And while my heart is nearly still as thine, Swear that I slew thee but to stop thy crimes; (O soul of Charles, wilt thou not plead for Cromwell?) Swear that I would my head were low as thine, Could'st thou have liv'd belov'd, and loving England-- For I have done a deed in slaying thee Shall wring the world's heart with its memory; Men shall believe me not, as they are base, Fools shall cry "hypocrite," as they dare judge The naked fervour of my struggling soul. God judge between us!--I am arm'd in this, Could'st thou have reign'd, not crushing English hearts With fierce compression of thine iron sway, Cromwell had liv'd contented and unknown To teach his children loyalty and faith Sacred and simple, as the grass-grown mound, That should have press'd more lightly on his bones, Than ever greatness on his wearied spirit! _Re-enter the Ironsides, L. They ground their Matchlocks._ [_CROMWELL starting._] Another blow? no, no! there was but one: He suffered nothing! _Bowt._ Worthy General, We are return'd. _Crom._ [_Replacing his Cloak, after covering the Coffin, as before._] Ha! have ye drunk well, fellows? I knew not that ye had such cold work here. [_Gives them Money._] Now, on your lives, no word of this. _Bowt._ May 't please you, What form of Government shall we have now? _Crom._ It does not please me, fool! to stand here prating; Ask _him_ trick'd out in yonder lying state, Who shall succeed him. [_Points to the Coffin._] Surely, I know nought, That am the meanest servant of the Lord To do his work alone. See ye to yours. [_Exit, L._] [_The Sentinels resume their walk. The Clock strikes one. As it strikes, the Guard is heard approaching, and whilst it is relieving them the Scene closes._] END OF ACT IV. ACT V. SCENE I. [_Last Grooves._] _Table, Chairs, Writing Materials._ _Whitehall. LADY CROMWELL, R. and FLORENCE, L. Discovered coming forward._ _Lady Crom._ R. No! There is not one of us he would hear save Elizabeth, and since the day before yesterday, as I tell you, she hath been in a raging fever, and delirious; and, to-morrow, you tell me, it is fixed that your cousin dies. Will not the Protector see you? _Flor._ L. He will not! _Lady Crom._ Alas! poor maid. I know not what to do. _Flor._ Madam, where doth your daughter lie!-- _Lady Crom._ In my room, this way--why, you look sadly yourself--pale as a corpse. _Flor._ Do I?--I would have it so. Think you it is an easy death when the heart bleeds inwardly? _Lady Crom._ Hush! cease talking so, child!