_Mrs. Cromwell:_ You commit yourself, boy, beyond turning back in all this. _Cromwell:_ It must be so. The choice has been made, and is past. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ The Lord prosper you. But I am an old woman. Age can but have misgivings. _Cromwell:_ We must have none, mother. We have gone to this in prayer, we must establish it in belief. Every yeoman, all the workers in the land, all courtesy and brave reason look to us. What men hereafter shall make of their lives must be between them and God in their own hearts. But to-day it must be given to them, the right to live as they most truly may in the light of their own proper character. No king may be against us. He may lead us, but he may not be against us. Have no misgivings, mother. Faith everywhere, that is our shield. _Mrs. Cromwell_ (rising): I will be no hindrance, son. _Cromwell:_ You are my zeal. I grew to it in you. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ I must see. (She goes out.) _Cromwell:_ How is Seth, Bridget? _Bridget:_ He mends daily. Amos tends him like a mother. _Cromwell:_ I must see them. Send to Mistress Hall and Robert. Let us have music this evening. Anthony, too. Let him bring his flute. There's good music here, Henry. (He goes.) _Bridget:_ Robert Hall sings beautifully. _Ireton:_ Will you sing, too? _Bridget:_ I expect so. _Ireton:_ I once tried to learn the flute. It was no good. I couldn't do it unless I watched my fingers. _Bridget:_ Was it very terrible at Edgehill? _Ireton:_ Yes. _Bridget:_ Were we really beaten? _Ireton:_ No. A few saved us from that. _Bridget:_ Were you one? _Ireton:_ Your father was chief among them. _Bridget:_ Was he? _Ireton:_ He will lead armies. Every man will follow him. He never faltered, and there was no misjudgment, ever. _Bridget:_ Did you keep the horses you had when you left London? _Ireton:_ Yes, both of us. _Bridget:_ I was glad to see you then. _Ireton:_ You know what is coming? _Bridget:_ Yes. I see it. _Ireton:_ We shall live with danger now. It may take years. Many of us will not see the end. We are no longer our own. _Bridget:_ These are the best crusades. _Ireton:_ To be called, thus. To be led by such a one. I know your father will direct it--he must be the man. He is only a captain to-night, but in a month or two you will see. And we shall be a mighty following. I see them forming, terrible hosts. We must give all, truly. I shall give all, I think. It is little enough. Bridget. _Bridget:_ Yes. _Ireton:_ You promised. I might speak again, you said. _Bridget:_ Yes. _Ireton:_ Will you wed a man so dedicated? _Bridget:_ The more for that. Yes, Henry. _Ireton_ (as they embrace): May we tell your father now? _Bridget:_ Yes--if I can but help you to serve. _Ireton:_ You shape my service. In you shall all the figures of my service dwell. Will he take this kindly? _Bridget:_ Surely. He loves you, he has said it often. (CROMWELL returns.) _Bridget:_ Father, Henry Ireton has to speak to you. _Cromwell:_ Eh?