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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    Thurloe.—My ancient enemy, the gout, my Lord. Cromwell.—I would I had none worse; there seems one near. \ illain ! behind that screen there’s one concealed. I am prepared : I’ll pin him to his perch. [Draws his dagger and malces towards the screen. Thurloe rising from his couch in pain, and seizing Cromwell’s dress.] My Lord, I pray you be not madly rash. ’Tis Samuel Morland, my most worthy clerk, Who after labour of two days and nights, All in your Lordship’s cause, doth sleep a watch. Cromwell.—He hath heard every word that hath been said. I’ll silence him: I’ll pin him to his perch. [ Struggling to the screen, and still held bg Thurloe, he pushes the screen aside, and discovers Morland asleep. Me raises his hand to strike.'] He shall not tell: I’ll pin him to his perch. v Enter Rachel behind. Rachel. [In deep wliisper.\—Thou shalt do no murder. Cromwell. [In terror, dirops his dagger, and staggers as if in darkness.] . When rank suspicion fills the jaded mind The devil enters with an easy gait, And conscience knuckles to necessity. Necessity, said I ? Not so, not so. Nature did never of necessity Let good and strong men fall to damned sin. Now do I know the depth of my despair, By this foul crime which I, in thought have done If not in deed. The learned say my pulse Hath intermittent beat: the soul doth do it. Oh! it will stop. It is a coward’s pulse Moved by a guilty heart. Oh sin ! oh fool! To be a sinner ! go and hang thyself. [Moving as if to escape wildly, he encounters Rachel.] Rachel. [Raising her hands.]—Thou shalt do no murder. END OF ACT TV.