Oliver Cromwell Part 16
You’re reading novel Oliver Cromwell Part 16 online at LightNovelFree.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit LightNovelFree.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy!
THE SCENE CLOSES
SCENE VII
_CROMWELL'S house in London. The morning of January 30, 1649, the day of the King's execution._
_Outside the window can be seen the grey winter gloom, brightened by fallen snow. The room, in which a fire is burning, is empty, and for a time there is silence. Then from a near street comes the soft sound of m.u.f.fled drums._
_BRIDGET runs in, and goes to the window, opening it. Then she goes back to the door, and calls._
_Bridget:_ Mother.
(She goes back to the window.)
_Elizabeth_ (coming in): Yes.
_Bridget:_ It is the King. He is pa.s.sing down to Whitehall.
_Elizabeth:_ Don't look, child.
_Bridget:_ I can see nothing but the pike-heads. The people seem very still. You can hear nothing but the drums.
(A little later MRS. CROMWELL comes in. She goes to a chair by the fire.)
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Oliver has just sent from Whitehall for his great coat. I've sent Beth with it.
_Bridget:_ The King has just pa.s.sed, grandmother.
_Elizabeth:_ He has gone into Whitehall.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Men will pity him. He had no pity.
_Bridget:_ Do you think father is right, grandmother? Saying that it had to be?
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Yes, I do think so.
_Elizabeth:_ He betrayed his own people. It was that.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ There could be no safety or hope while he lived.
_Bridget:_ Yes. He betrayed his own people. That's it.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Kings must love, too.
_Elizabeth:_ When your father wanted to give him back his throne, a little simple honesty in the King would have saved all. But he could not come to that.
_Bridget:_ The drums have stopped.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Is Henry with your father?
_Bridget:_ Yes.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ What is the time?
_Elizabeth:_ Nearly one o'clock.
_Bridget:_ It must be past one.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Oliver will be the foremost man in England.
_Bridget:_ Henry says he could be king.
_Elizabeth:_ That he would never be. I know.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ He will have to guide all.
_Bridget:_ Don't you wish it could have been done without this, grandmother?
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ When the world labours in anger, child, you cannot name the hour.
_Bridget:_ But Henry thinks it is right, too.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ If this be wrong, all was wrong.
_Bridget:_ Yes. Thank you, grandmother. That is what I wanted. It was necessary.
_Elizabeth:_ Henry meant to come back before the end, didn't he?
_Bridget:_ He said so.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ It's very cold.
_Bridget:_ I think it will snow again.
_Elizabeth:_ What are the drums beating again for?
_Bridget:_ Perhaps--I don't know. Will you have another shawl, grandmother?
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ No, thank you.
(IRETON comes in.)
_Bridget:_ Has anything happened?
_Ireton:_ Not yet. In a minute or two. At half-past one. It's three minutes yet.
Oliver Cromwell Part 16
You're reading novel Oliver Cromwell Part 16 online at LightNovelFree.com. You can use the follow function to bookmark your favorite novel ( Only for registered users ). If you find any errors ( broken links, can't load photos, etc.. ), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible. And when you start a conversation or debate about a certain topic with other people, please do not offend them just because you don't like their opinions.
Oliver Cromwell Part 16 summary
You're reading Oliver Cromwell Part 16. This novel has been translated by Updating. Author: John Drinkwater already has 565 views.
It's great if you read and follow any novel on our website. We promise you that we'll bring you the latest, hottest novel everyday and FREE.
LightNovelFree.com is a most smartest website for reading novel online, it can automatic resize images to fit your pc screen, even on your mobile. Experience now by using your smartphone and access to LightNovelFree.com
- Related chapter:
- Oliver Cromwell Part 15
- Oliver Cromwell Part 17