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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    Mrs. Buckthorn.— ft brings over me the cold presbyterians. Nora.—We were betrothed ! Mrs. Buckthorn. Oh dear! how sad, how sad; indeed how sad! I feel for her as none but a woman betrothed, or more than betrothed can feel. [ Weeps.'] What if I were in her place. What should I do without my Joshua? [Asicle.~\ Nobody would marry me again. \_Weeps.'] Lady Clay pole.—Mrs. Buckthorn, let us to Nora. The poor child is faint; let us help her away. Whatever her folly may have been, and we none of us are free from folly, she, by her courage, did save our father from peril; perchance too, her woman’s ear may have been true. Joshua Buckthorn, see you as best you can, and at once, to save the youth, by my commission. Nora, my child, despair not but come. \_Exit Lady Clay pole and Mrs Buckthorn, leading Nora. Josh.—Of all unprovoked and timeless bothers under the canopy, as my Lord says, this is one. Says his Highness to me to day, Joshua, I beg his pardon, Honourable Joshua, says he, I meant what I said about that knighthood; thou wilt be Sir* Joshua to night, says he, when the company come if thou hast but a sword ready; which means, says I to myself, for I didn’t even name it to the dear soul, Mrs B to night, before she goes to bed, will be my Lady. A lady of. title for a sleeping partner Joshua, says I, also to myself, isn’t a thing, says I, Joshua, I beg pardon, Sir Joshua, to be sneezed at, Sir Joshua. Certainly not, I replies courteously. And now, if this accursed execution shall come off, my Lord will speak to nobody for six weeks, and Mrs B. may be dead by that time or a thousand catastrophes may occur. Moreover, I like the youth under trial, he hath discernment beyond his octaves. And, lastly, as the Reverends say, if he should not be the right man ? Oh, horror ! think of one gentleman losing his knighthood and another his head, and both innocent. T’vvere enough to bring down a judg- ment on the whole nation. On public grounds I must stop it. Cudgel tby wit, Sir Joshua, it must be stopped. How ? Dost thou say how? Seize a principle, Sir, gain time. Good, Sir Joshua, good. If thou could’st gain enough of time, Charles