Oliver Cromwell Part 2

_Bridget:_ Father says that.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ This house is ready for any kind of revolution, John.

_Ireton:_ But you find it everywhere, ma'am. All along the countryside, in the markets, in the church porches--everywhere.

_Elizabeth:_ Is the vine doing well this year, John?

_Hampden:_ It's the best year I remember.

_Elizabeth:_ Ours, too.

_Bridget:_ Were you there, Mr. Ireton, when Cousin John's case was tried?

_Ireton:_ Yes.

_Bridget:_ It was splendid, wasn't it--although he lost, I mean?

_Ireton:_ It was the note of deliverance.

_Bridget:_ I wish I could have been there, Cousin John.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Will you give me my shawl, Henry Ireton.

(He does so.) There's Oliver coming. Now you can all be thunder.

_Bridget:_ Now, grandmother, you know you don't think it's just that.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ So you have hope for me yet, miss?

_Bridget:_ Grandmother.

(CROMWELL comes in. He is in plain country dress. His age is forty.)

_Cromwell:_ John--it's good to see you. You're an hour before reckoning.

(Taking HAMPDEN'S hand.)

_Hampden:_ Yes, Oliver. Is all well?

_Cromwell:_ Not that--but our courage is well enough. You are very welcome, Henry.

(Taking his hand.) Was it good travelling?

_Ireton:_ Not a bad mile on the journey.

_Bridget:_ Father, Mr. Ireton heard Cousin John's case tried. Wasn't he lucky?

_Cromwell:_ Whoever heard that heard history being made, John. It was a great example to set.

_Hampden:_ One works from the spirit, Oliver.

_Cromwell:_ That's what we must do. You've heard about this affair down here?

_Hampden:_ The common? Yes.

_Cromwell:_ There's to be no yielding about that.

_Hampden:_ I'm glad of it, Oliver.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ What will it all come to, John?

_Cromwell:_ There are times, mother, when we may not count the cost.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ You're very vexatious sometimes, Oliver.

_Cromwell:_ But you know I'm right in this, mother.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Being right doesn't make you less vexatious.

_Elizabeth:_ Have they finished in Long Close?

_Cromwell:_ Yes. They will be here soon.

_Bridget:_ They all come up from the field for prayers, Mr. Ireton, at the day's end.

_Hampden:_ Is your hay good, Oliver?

_Cromwell:_ I haven't much down this year. What there is, is good.

_Hampden:_ We got the floods too late. But it has mended well enough.

_Bridget:_ The dancers came for some money, father.

_Elizabeth:_ Shall I give them something?

_Cromwell:_ To be sure.

_Elizabeth:_ How much?

_Cromwell:_ Oh--a crown or two.

_Hampden:_ Dancers?

_Cromwell:_ Aye, John. Don't you hold with them?

_Hampden:_ They're no offence, perhaps--but I'm never quite sure.

_Cromwell:_ Oh, but be sure, John. We must make no mistake about that. They are lovely, the dancers. I'm all for singing and dancing. The Lord is one to sing and dance, I'll be bound.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Now you talk sense, Oliver. Mr. Herrick is very clear about that. So was David.