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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    Lady Claypole.—Nora; wliat did she say? She rushed into my room and waked me from such a dream of bliss, and declared, she confessed: said her lover, one Charles Ilarfleur, and she did meet in the garden, and he did depart. And then a traitor armed did come to take my father’s life, and she called alarm, and,—am I not in a dream? No, No. This fading noise tells me the reality. [To Mrs. Buckthorn.] Know you nothing, my good soul ? Look at me ! am I asleep even Snow ? Know you nothing more, indeed, nothing more ? Mrs. Buckthorn.—I only know, my Lady, that my Joshua did waken me in getting his sword which I had put under the pillow, because of his rashness, and that he did fly away wearing a coat of mail, and saying, afore I could catch him, he was to the defence of his Highness; whereupon I did rise, and following the noise, did meet your Ladyship. See, my Lady, here conies Joshua armed cap-and-pie. Bnter Josh., carrying a mask, breast-plate, and sword. Lady Claypole.—My father ? Josh.—Safe, your Highness, as ever; not a hair of his head an- injured. Indeed, we did so surround him, Smite’em and all of us, with our swords drawn, that the traitor had no chance. Lady Claypole.—Was he an armed man? Josh.—Double armed, your Ladyship. His sword and mask and breast-plate I found, and Smite’em has him. They will try him off hand. Lady Claypole. [Aside.]—And more blood: it sickens me to the death! Enter Nora. Nora.—Oh! my Lady, my Lady, I have sought you again every- where. Oh! come, pray come, to help me : they have my life in their hands, more than my own life indeed, indeed; they have my lover, and he is not guilty. Josh.—Buthis sword and mask and breast-plate are found; here they are. ’ Nora.—My lover had no sword, no mask, and no breast-plate save his honesty: I saw the assassin, clung to him, then heard him speak, and thereby knew the voice was strange, and not the voice of Charles Ilarfleur. Oh! save him, save him. Unite to help me all.