Oliver Cromwell Part 10

(He kisses her.)

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Bless you, my son. Bless you always. And may the mercy of G.o.d be upon England.

_Cromwell:_ Upon England--Amen.

(He places the deeds on the table before him, and resumes his writing.

MRS. CROMWELL closes the chest, and sits at a spinet, playing.)

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Mr. Lawes makes beautiful music, Oliver.

_Oliver:_ Yes, mother.

(She plays again for a few moments. Then BRIDGET and IRETON return.)

_Bridget:_ Amos and Seth want to speak to you, father. The men are coming.

_Cromwell:_ Yes.

(She beckons them in.)

_Cromwell:_ Bridget has news for you, mother.

(BRIDGET and IRETON go to MRS. CROMWELL.)

_Amos:_ I meant to speak when you were down there, sir. But I'm a bit slow.

There's two things, so to say.

_Cromwell:_ Yes, Amos.

_Amos:_ There's to be great wars and spending, I know.

_Cromwell:_ Yes, Amos.

_Amos:_ I should like to give the little I've saved. You'll spend it well, sir, I know. It's a matter of two pound. It's not a deal, but it might help by way of an example, as it might be.

(He offers a small bag of money.)

_Cromwell:_ In such measure it shall be taken from all who will give. That is true in spirit, Amos. It shall be used.

(He places it with the deeds.)

_Amos:_ And then if I might speak for Seth.

_Cromwell:_ Yes, what is it?

_Amos:_ He's dumb, sir, it's true, but you'll find no better heart nor wits. And he has a fair lot of book-learning now as well, and has come to handle a pen for all his poor hands were treated so. He would be your servant, sir, in the wars.

_Oliver:_ It's a good offer. Very well, Seth, we'll serve together.

(SETH acknowledges this, gravely pleased. There are voices outside.)

_Bridget:_ They are coming, father. Are you ready?

_Cromwell:_ Yes.

(BRIDGET opens the door on to the stone hall, and the labourers stand at the door and beyond.)

_Cromwell_ (rising): My friends, I know not to what labour you will next be called, but we are upon dark and proving days, coming to memorable issues. The tyranny that has worked among us so grievously and long now strikes at our all.

We must betake ourselves to defence, or this will be but a rotten realm, fair for no man to live in henceforth. Do not be mistaken. In the way of life out of which has come this menacing destruction upon us is much of beauty, much of n.o.bility, and the light of man's mind. These things it will be for us in season to cherish and preserve. But where these have been is no warrant for authority abused. And authority this day is an abuse against us to the very pitch of wickedness. We are called to stand for the charter of all men's faith, for the charter which is liberty, which is G.o.d. Against us are arrayed the ranks of privilege. They are mighty, well used in arms, fearless, and not easily to be turned aside.

But we go to battle in the name of G.o.d. Let every man consider it. Each one of you is here and now called to service in that name, that hereafter in England a man may call his hearth his own. And now may the love of G.o.d inform you. In humble courage let us go forward, nourishing our strength, sure always in our cause. May G.o.d bless us, and teach us the true valiance, and may He spend us according to His will. Amen. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

(Together they sing, AMOS leading them.)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me ...

THE SCENE CLOSES

SCENE IV

_After dawn on July 14, 1645, the day of Naseby._

_GENERAL FAIRFAX, with IRETON--now colonel--and two other officers, is holding a council of war in his tent. He is working with a map. During the proceedings sentries pa.s.s to and fro._

_Fairfax:_ Between Mill Hill, and Sulby Hall, there. Broad Moor--yes. You measure their numbers at ten thousand, Staines?

_Staines:_ Not more than ten, nor less than eight.

_Fairfax:_ Four thousand or so of them horse?

_Staines:_ It is thought so.

_Fairfax:_ Yes, yes. We are eleven thousand, eh, Pemberton?

_Pemberton:_ Eleven thousand and perhaps three hundred.

_Fairfax:_ Naseby will be three quarters--no, half a mile behind us.

_Ireton:_ The right of the field is boggy, and pitted by rabbits. The action is like to move to the left.

_Fairfax:_ Yes. There's a high hedge above there below Sulby. It would be useful to us then.

_Staines:_ It has been marked, and dug almost to the waterside.

_Fairfax:_ Good. Skippon and myself with the infantry there and there. Then the cavalry--you have one wing, Ireton, or you must command all, since General Cromwell is not come.