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.

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    LLius, as the clock struck twelve, before the block Ihe royal martyr stood, nor feared, nor paled. The flush of victory was on his brow— The victory that triumphs over death And spans the ghastly grave. He spake with grief That he had once unworthily dispatched His faithful servant Strafford so to die. Ihen to the Bishop Juxon bending low, Ihese holy breaths of faith escaped his lips. I leave a crown corruptible, to take One that is incorruptible; I go Where no disturbance, no unrest can be. His George removed from him, upon the block lie laid his head, and with the word “ Remember,” (In peace with Heaven, with man, and his own heart,) Resigned his spirit to the Mighty One Who gave it unto him. His royal hands He raised, in signal for the fatal blow. Then through the rended air the gleaming steel Flew without mercy : and the kingly blood Poured o’er the scaffold to the weeping earth. Some dipped their kerchiefs in the purple stream, And treasured them as relics: a few called traitor. But, when the deed was done, the many wept, And stood in horror, as if nature struck, Would show some dreadful sign of her great wrath. De Tours.—To weep is vain, to act is wisdom’s call. It hath been nobly spoken, as I speak it. He was the worthiest of gentlemen, The best of masters and the best of friends, The best of husbands and the best of sires, The best of Christians of this living age. [Enter Rachel, who takes position before the centre ivindow ] Rachel.—Thus perish all thine enemies, oh Lord, But those that love Thy name, let them go forth Like to the conquering sun in all his might. De Tours.—Who speaketh thus ? Is this an insult to our broken heart?