_Hampden:_ But that's fine for Oliver. Every man must speak to-day--and do as well, if it comes to it. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ Yes, but don't be so proud about it, John. _Elizabeth:_ I think they should be proud. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ Remember what Mr. Herbert says-- A servant with this clause Makes drudgerie divine. Who sweeps a room, as for thy laws, Makes that and th' action fine. As for thy laws, remember. _Hampden:_ Surely, we shall remember that always. (BRIDGET comes in.) _Bridget:_ Cousin John. _Hampden:_ Well, Bridget, my girl. (He kisses her.) _Bridget:_ How do you do, Mr. Ireton? _Ireton_ (shaking hands): Well, I thank you, mistress. _Bridget:_ Does father know, mother? _Elizabeth:_ I've sent down to the field. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ He'll be here soon enough. I'm sorry the judges were against you, John. I don't know what else you could expect, though. They are the King's judges, I suppose. _Hampden:_ That's what we dispute, ma'am. The King says that they should serve him. We say that they should serve the laws. _Ireton:_ It was just when Mr. Hampden was being heard. The law they said was the King's old and loyal servant: that _lex_ was not _rex_, but that none could gainsay that _rex_ was _lex_. _Hampden:_ That's what we shall have to decide, and before long, I think. _Bridget:_ Father says that. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ This house is ready for any kind of revolution, John. _Ireton:_ But you find it everywhere, ma'am. All along the countryside, in the markets, in the church porches--everywhere. _Elizabeth:_ Is the vine doing well this year, John? _Hampden:_ It's the best year I remember. _Elizabeth:_ Ours, too. _Bridget:_ Were you there, Mr. Ireton, when Cousin John's case was tried? _Ireton:_ Yes. _Bridget:_ It was splendid, wasn't it--although he lost, I mean? _Ireton:_ It was the note of deliverance. _Bridget:_ I wish I could have been there, Cousin John. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ Will you give me my shawl, Henry Ireton. (He does so.) There's Oliver coming. Now you can all be thunder. _Bridget:_ Now, grandmother, you know you don't think it's just that. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ So you have hope for me yet, miss? _Bridget:_ Grandmother. (CROMWELL comes in. He is in plain country dress. His age is forty.) _Cromwell:_ John--it's good to see you. You're an hour before reckoning. (Taking HAMPDEN'S hand.) _Hampden:_ Yes, Oliver. Is all well? _Cromwell:_ Not that--but our courage is well enough. You are very welcome, Henry. (Taking his hand.) Was it good travelling? _Ireton:_ Not a bad mile on the journey. _Bridget:_ Father, Mr. Ireton heard Cousin John's case tried. Wasn't he lucky? _Cromwell:_ Whoever heard that heard history being made, John. It was a great example to set. _Hampden:_ One works from the spirit, Oliver. _Cromwell:_ That's what we must do. You've heard about this affair down here? _Hampden:_ The common? Yes. _Cromwell:_ There's to be no yielding about that. _Hampden:_ I'm glad of it, Oliver.