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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    Enter Messenger in haste. Messenger.—My Lord, some hundred horsemen, armed and trained, Rush down the Fleet upon your Highness’ person, Crying “Revenge ! Charles Stuart, and revenge.” Cromwell. [To his Guards.']—Clear the crowd. [Guards clear the way.] How many men of metal are there here ? The Guard —Ten, my lord. Cromwell.—Stand in line. Are you all schooled in faith and discipline ? Do you fear God, and keep your powder dry ? Guards.—Yea, verily. Cromwell.—Good. Then are you a hundred, if withal you shoot low. Eh there! eh there! there’s a white face, and a piece dropping. Who is this man for a guard to Cromwell? Bring him forward. \jttaiorex.—One Ishmael Graves, my lord. Ishmael Graves.—I am better: ’twas but a passing swoon. I could shoot now. Cromwell.—Aye, perhaps thou could’st, I don’t deny thee that; But thou must go thy ways. The noise thou heard’st Was like thy act, a feint, a false alarm To put to test the mettle of good men. I blame thee not, for thou perchance hast gifts As good as fighting gifts. Whate’er they be, go find them out and use them. , For nature made no gift except for use, Nor man without a gift. I bid you go In all good will; your pay will follow you. , Greatorex.—Truly your Highness hath judged rightly, for this same man, frightened though he be at the smell of powder, hath invented a weapon of singular power, which my Lord of War- wick, who hath bought one for his castle, doth specially com- mend to your Highness’ attention. Cromwell.—What is the weapon? Gredtorex.—’Tis here, my lord; a gun which Ishmael doth call a “six-shooter.” It carrieth six charges, which can be fired in