Follow me, son Ireton! No other-- [_Exit CROMWELL and IRETON, L. The guard look amazed._] _Mil._ Who thus seeing him, shall say, This man is not Heaven's chosen instrument? [_Exit. L._] [_The Ironsides follow Milton._] SCENE II. [_1st Cut._] [_3rd Grooves._] _Near the Tower. A Street in London._ _People are seen gazing from windows and balconies. Slow military music is heard behind the scenes. It gradually approaches U.E.L. Enter a procession of Soldiers, in the midst ARTHUR bare-headed. He looks up to a balcony, where FLORENCE is standing--she waves a handkerchief and throws it to him. He kisses it, and placing it in his bosom, smiles, then slowly exeunt, U.E.R._ _Enter BASIL hurriedly, L. FLORENCE comes from the door of the house to meet him. She is dressed in a white robe._ _Bas._ Well, madam, how is it! To live or die? _Flor._ Oh! hasten, hasten. They are gone; you may Fall down, be stopp'd, give me the pardon--quick! _Basil._ No! I think not. I'll take it. Think you of Your promise--will you keep it? _Flor._ Yes! yes! if I live A month, I will be thine. _Basil._ Tis well! I go: I am a little lame, but shall be there, I do protest, in time. They give some moments To stale device of prayer; as if they car'd For him they slay--What! anxious? So am I, That have so great a stake in this event, To save a brother and to gain a wife-- [_Kisses the tips of his fingers._] A rivederci, as the Italian saith. [_Goes out, U.E.R._] _Flor._ The hands of yonder clock do pierce my heart Like daggers till he comes. O God! forgive me, Let me but know him safe, and die of joy, Ere I have time to think upon the rest. _Enter ELIZABETH, L., as if just risen. At the same time, WILLIAM and the HOST, accompanied by a Guard, pass by, from L. to U.E.R._ _Will._ This way, this way! _Eliz._ Do you not hear the hollow bell still tolling? Hark! _Flor._ There is no sound now-- _Eliz._ If my father said He should not die, it was to comfort me; Do not believe them, if they tell you so. Give me your arm unto the scaffold, girl. [_Florence hesitates._] Jealous?--Is this a time?--What!-- [_Two or three Attendants come in._] Then I'll go Alone-- [_She takes one of her Attendants by the arm._] _Flor._ Nay, dear Elizabeth! his life Is sav'd-- _Eliz._ Believe them not; wilt thou not come? Nay, then! [_Exit with Ladies, U.E.R._] _Flor._ What means her passion? He comes not! My heart grows chill-- Would I might follow her. I promis'd not. Did I not see the pardon. O, this is dreadful! _Re-enter BASIL, U.E.R._ _Distant shouting is heard._ _Basil._ Hear you there? He lives! _Flor._ [_Falls on her knees._] O Heaven! I thank thy gracious mercy. _Basil._ Now! Remember thou art pledged to be my bride. _Flor._ Have I then sav'd his life, to torture him With base destruction of the thing he loves? _Basil._ Give me thine hand.