A day with Cromwell: a drama of history, in five acts, by Auctor.

  • Benjamin Ward Richardson
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A day with Cromwell: a drama of history, in five acts, by Auctor. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    19/92 (page 13)
    Josh.—May be, my Lord, ’tis like mine, even a new title; titles change fast in these times. Cromwell.—Truly, batter brains, thou cans’t speak sometimes even above thy vanity ! It may be so; but what credentials have they? Does our ambassador Lockhart commend them ? Josh.—I know not, my Lord, the secrets of Master Lockhart, for to me doth he show an unbecoming1 silence; but last evening his Excellency the Duke did honour me with a request to his hostel; when, speaking mightily of your Highness, he did intimate that he was from his Eminence the Cardinal Mazarin from whom he did bring this despatch. [Hands paper.] Cromwell.—[Takes despatch, opens and reads.] Highness.—This to bring to your Highness the Duke de Tours and M. de Leonine the younger. Their mission is travel and pleasure, yet would they be proud to have your Highness’s good opinion. [Aside.]—’Tis Mazarin’s hand; yet I like it not. [ To Josh.] Sirrah ! shew them due courtesy as becometh their rank. . [Exit Josh. [Enter Herbert Lee, Page in Waiting.J Herbert—My Lord, Dr. Sydenham who hath visited my Lady Clay- pole would see you! Cromwell.—What say you, Lady Claypole is not worse ? Herbert.—No, my Lord, I heard them say better; but ’twas your Highness’s command that you would see Dr. Sydenham. Cromwell.—True; bid the Doctor wait. Stay ! I will to him. He is a man amongst ten thousand whose very smile is a cure. To stand atween him and the sad world he blesses by his skill were even a crime. [Exit Cromwell, Herbert following. Scene III.—A Gallery or Corridor in the Palace. Ante Scene. Enter Joshua Buckthorn and Charles Harfleur. Charles.—Well, old Buck! I believe that’s your name. Josh. Fair Sir, one day his Highness in his humour did so designate me, and so accepted be it, that, beshrew me, I believe ’twill go