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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    Oh ! stay, it yet will burst. Good friends, forgive These scalding tears; nor think a leader weak. [Weeps.'] Who sheds them ! for they are the outlets dear Of weeping blood, and that is weeping life. Our heart is easier ! let us to our tasks Return in triumph, strengthened by our woes; Chastened, yet sanctified; pierced, yet prepared To hear the more, knowing what can be borne. [Exeunt Omnes. Enter Josh. Buckthorn, the Duke de Tours, and Leonine. Josh.—This room, nobles, is called his Highness’ waiting room; hither gather they who seek audience and await the pleasure. Duke.—But Mr.—Honourable Mr. Butthorn— Josh.—Buckthorn, please your Grace, not Butt, BUCK, f Spells it.] Duke.—Ah ! oui, him stag—Buck—him jump, ah ! oui. [Jumps.] Josh.—Your Grace doth gracefully do it', and truly. Excuse my interruption. Duke.—N’importe, Honourable Mr. Buckthorn; dat right? ah! but vy, if this be de waiting room; there be no couches ? Josh.—That, my Lord, implieth a long story, which to make short is this. Once there were couches and chairs of all kinds, where- upon visitors craving audience did sit all day and even all night, which did discomfort my Lord much. So when Jack Lilburne, him as was the leveller, and his friend, Lift-up-your- voice Hornblower, did sit through three nights and were carried out from fasting, His Highness did summon me to a con- sultium, as he always doth on great affairs. Leonine.—Bon, tres bon; he be a vise man. Josh.—Tr3s bien, my Lord; comprenez you. His Highness says then to me, Honourable Joshua, in whatrespect, says he, in his parable way, is a man unlike to a horse ? Because he hath not four legs and a tail, says I. Good, says his Highness, but that is not my meaning. I mean, because he’s not a standing animal. Dost penetrate it, Honourable Joshua ? says he. Highness, replied I, dost thou mean that if all the suitors had to stand until you could see them they would disperse ? Like smoke out of my pipe, said he. Shall be done, says I; and straightway I cleared the room, as my Lords see.