_Crom._ [_To the Soldiers as they enter, R._] Go hence, you rascals.
[_Soldiers entering with whooping and shouts._]
Sound bugles! fall in! quick march!
[_The Soldiers march round and fall in a line in perfect order, WILLIAM bringing up the rear, shouldering a bone._]
_Ire._ [_To Arthur Walton._] See you now the bent of this? How he doth make them his own? I tell you that the day will come, this host shall follow him alone, ay! and perchance England--
_Crom._ [_To Desborough, who has remained apart, indignant._] Come, Desborough! if thou hast digested thine indignation--[_Taking Desborough"s arm, kindly._]
_Ire._ As he will never his dinner.
_Crom._ Thou wilt unto my tent, where is store of wholesome food.
_Enter HARRISON, L., hurriedly._
_Har._ I fear they will not sally forth; our host Meanwhile will melt away. Despondency Sits heavy on my soul.
[_Firing is heard from the town._]
_Ire._ If they abide In York, we"d best draw off. [_Exit ARTHUR, L._]
_Crom._ But Rupert! Rupert!
Wilt he not fight--The fiery-headed fool Will rush out on us from yon fenced town, And then--Whom have we here?
[_An Orderly hastens in._]
_Ord._ The earl doth bid you Prepare for instant action; Rupert and Newcastle Are forth outside the gates.
_Crom._ Said I not so?-- Their hearts are hardened by the Lord of hosts.
[_Musketry in the distance._] [_To an officer entering._]
Did you not hear me when I said "Bring up the fascines?" How shall we cross the ditch? Do you not heed? Quick, man!
_Offi._ Even as Balaam said to Balak, Lo! I will but speak what the Lord hath put in my mouth. [_Turning to the Soldiers._] Wherefore, I say, O brethren, be ye as they the Lord set apart to Gideon--
_Crom._ [_Striking him with his pistol b.u.t.t._] Take that, thou babbling fool! this is no fitting time to preach. Ho! Jepherson. Bring up the facines.
_Enter ARTHUR, L., to CROMWELL._
_Arth._ Fairfax is beaten, and our right wing scattered.
_Crom._ Hist! dismay not these. Doth Rupert follow them?
_Arth._ He doth fight fiercely.
_Crow._ Then will I meet him. Victor to victor, we will close together. Ho! forward!
[_Another Officer enters._]
_Offi._ The musketry of Belial hath mowed our ranks, and the sons of Zeruiah--
_Crom._ Tush, tell me not of Zeruiah, or, by the Eternal, I will smite thee! Speak in English.
_Offi._ The Scotch are in disorder. Lucas, and Porter, and the malignant Goring are playing havoc with them. Newcastle, with his white coats, is winning on us at the pike"s point.
_Crom._ That"s what is done. What is to do? What says the General?
_Offi._ That you charge Rupert.
_Crom._ Why did you not speak sooner?
I am dead To hear you drawl thus. Righteous Lambert, on!
Bring up the regiments.
Tell brave Frizell, He shall see sport anon--
[_A Soldier gives him his morion._]
I will not wear it!
I cannot see around--
[_A heavy discharge of cannon heard without._]
Ho! Desborough,
Here is a dinner for thee. See thou carve it Right well. On! on! a Cromwell for a Rupert!
_Soldiers._ The Lord and Cromwell!
_Crom._ Nay, not thus: shout rather "G.o.d and his people! England! Liberty!"
[_Exeunt L._]
[_Different parties of wounded Soldiers enter U.E.L; some being a.s.sisted, and others staggering; the scene becomes dark and obscured with clouds of smoke.
Several Soldiers fall down._]
[_Enter WILLIAM, R., meeting a wounded Trooper, L._]
_Troop._ How goes the day? Why art thou not with the saints, that are now fighting?
_Will._ I was about to fight; but they waited not for me. It is all over now. The king hath no more chance than a b.u.t.terfly three days at sea amongst a covey of Mother Carey"s chickens. I would pursue, but lack spurs and a horse, or you should not find me here; [_Aside._] or within ten miles of it.
_Troop._ Get me some water, friend!
_Will._ Ah! you would have watered me in a pond two days since; but here--this is better than water.
[_The Soldier takes a flask from him._]
_Troop._ I think thou saidst that the malignants were smitten. Praised be the Lord! Yet I would I had not seen my father"s white hairs amid yon accursed red coats. I parried a stroke from him that must have jarred the old man"s arm.