_Cromwell:_ My mind is fixed. I think I have made my intention clear. That is all. You may go. (There is again a movement against them as they go, followed by the labourers.) _Cromwell:_ Seth. _Seth:_ Yes, sir. _Cromwell:_ Ask your father to stay, will you? We shall want a song after that. _Seth:_ Yes, sir. (He calls from the window.) Father. Master wants you to sing. (AMOS TANNER comes back.) _Cromwell:_ Thank you, Amos. Just a minute, will you? When will supper be, wife? _Elizabeth:_ In half an hour. _Cromwell:_ How would a turn at bowling be, John? _Hampden:_ Done. _Cromwell:_ Henry, you, too? _Ireton:_ Yes; and, Mr. Cromwell-- _Cromwell:_ Yes. _Ireton:_ I don't know how things are going. But I feel that great events are making and that you and Mr. Hampden here may have power to use men. If it should be so, I would be used. That is all. _Cromwell:_ John's the man. I'm likely enough to stay the rest of my days in Ely. _Ireton:_ I don't think so, sir. _Cromwell:_ No? Well. A glass of sherry, John--or gin? _Hampden:_ Sherry, Oliver. (CROMWELL pours out the sherry.) _Cromwell:_ Henry? _Ireton:_ Thank you. _Cromwell_ (giving glasses): Amos? _Amos:_ I'd liefer have a pot of ale, master, if might be. _Cromwell:_ Yes, yes. Bridget, girl. (BRIDGET goes.) _Mrs. Cromwell:_ Oliver, boy, you were quite right--all that you said to those men, I mean. I don't approve, mind you, but you were quite right. _Cromwell:_ Thank you, mother. I knew you would think so. _Elizabeth:_ I wonder what will come of it. You never know, once you begin like this. _Cromwell:_ You never know, wife. _Hampden:_ There are lessons to be learnt. _Cromwell:_ That's what they said. (BRIDGET returns with a foaming pot of ale, which she gives to AMOS.) _Cromwell_ (drinking): To freedom, John. That's good sherry. I respect not such ill reasoners as would keep all wine out of the country lest men should be drunk. Now, Amos. Come along, John, my touch was good last night. I shall beat you. (He goes out on to the lawn beyond the window, with HAMPDEN and IRETON. They are seen passing to and fro, playing bowls.) _Amos_ (singing:) When I shall in the churchyard lie, Poor scholar though I be, The wheat, the barley, and the rye Will better wear for me. For truly have I ploughed and sown, And kept my acres clean; And written on my churchyard stone This character be seen: "His flocks, his barns, his gear he made His daily diligence, Nor counted all his earnings paid In pockets full of pence." (As he finishes, the bowlers stand listening at the window.) THE SCENE CLOSES SCENE II _The Commons of England in session at St. Hepburn's Chapel, Westminster, on November 22, 1641. CROMWELL, HAMPDEN, IRETON among those sitting. We see the east end of the Chapel, with the SPEAKER. It is past midnight, and the house is lighted with candles. A member is speaking._