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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    Cromwell.—And a brave guide, he is, I do assure you. I’ve tried bis pluck, and lie doth stand the fire. Lead on with care, my Herbert: ’tis hut few Have such a task of honour. [Exit Milton led by Herbert Lee. [Cromwell left alone and falling into reverie, hears a voice singing under the window. He rises, and going to the ivindow, listens. Charles Harfleur is heard to singi] Oh, the May flower ship is the ship for me; Come love, come. Where the flashing stream rolls into the sea, I will sing of her deeds, love; sing to thee. Wilt thou come ? 1 / ^ u 1 > £ <h M v« I’ll sing how she strayed from her sea-bounded nest; Come love, come. I’ll sing how she found in the deep red west For the freedman’s burden a free-man’s rest. Wilt thou come? I’ll show thee the spot where the pilgrims prayer,— Come love, come— Blessed the earth and made it bear First fruits of freedom and knowledge fair. Wilt thou come ? I’ll show thee a place twix’t earth and sky,— Come love, come— Where the mortal echoes the angel’s cry; Where to love is to live, and to hate is to die. Wilt thou come? [Song ceases.] Cromwell.—Rollicking fool, I would thine art were mine. And thine heart too. Music however wild Thou com’st to us, thou com’st as nothing else. In tramp of war thou lift’st the soldier’s step To deathly glory : thou the poet leads. And here the lover, wanton of desire, Thou doth subdue to fervid honesty. Enter Gentlemen of the Court: Lord Broghill, Sir Thomas Wid- drington, and many others. Josh, and Smite’em follow. Cromwell.—My Lords and gentlemen ; we greet you all. We will relax awhile, indeed we will. If any noble Lord will set a back We’ll play at leap-frog up to Charing Cross.