Chapter 3
_CROMWELL'S house at Ely. A year later, 1642. It is afternoon in winter. MRS. CROMWELL is sitting by the fire, reading. She looks a little more her eighty-odd years than she did in the first scene. After a few moments BRIDGET comes in. She is opening a letter._
_Bridget:_ Father has written, grandmother. Shall I read it to you?
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Yes, child.
_Bridget_ (sits by the fire, and reads): My dear daughter, I am lately arrived in London, from Edgehill in the county of Warwickshire, where for the first time our men met the King's army in set dispute. It was late on the Sabbath afternoon, so that, as we lay for the attack, the sound of church bells came to us from three or four places. The King had the better ground, also they exceeded us in numbers, both horse and foot, and in cannon. It is hard to say which way the battle went, the advantage at one time being here, at another there. Their horsemen behaved very well, being commanded by Prince Rupert, a soldier of great courage in the field. Your Cousin Hampden managed a regiment with much honour, and twice or thrice delivered our cause. We were engaged until night stayed us. Some four thousand were slain, their loss, I hear, being the greater. Of the sixty in my own troop, eighteen fell. We had commendation from the general, and indeed I think we did not fail in resolution. But this matter will not be accomplished save we build, as it were, again from the foundation. This is God's service, and all must be given. To which end I am now coming home, to call out all such men as have the love of England in their hearts, and fear God. I shall labour with them. It seems to me that I shall be called to great trust in this, and I will set such example as I can. Expect me as soon as you receive this, for indeed I leave London as soon almost as my letter. Your mother I saw here with her nephew. She loves you as I do. Henry Ireton comes with me--he served very stoutly at Edgehill, and hath a gunshot in the arm. None is like to serve these times better than he. Give my loving duty to your grandmother, which I shall at once deliver myself. God bless you. Your affectionate Father.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ You are born into a great story, child. I am old.
_Bridget:_ It's wonderful. To stand like that.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Not wonder only, girl. There are griefs.
_Bridget:_ They are wonderful, too, I think.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Youth, you are dear. With an old woman, it's all reckoning. One sees the follies then of this man and that.
_Bridget:_ It had to come, grandmother. The King was taking all.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ It had to come. Men were no wiser than that. To make this of the land! One Cain, as your father says.
_Bridget:_ It's as though life were different, suddenly. Do you feel it, grandmother?
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ I know. There are times when wrath comes, and beauty is forgotten. But it must be.
_Bridget_ (from the letter): "This is God's service, and all must be given."
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Yes. Even that.
_Bridget:_ But you do think father is right?
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Yes, child. He could do no other. That's his tribute to necessity. We all pay it. He will pay it greatly. We may be sure of that.
(Horses are heard outside.)
Here they are.
(BRIDGET goes out to meet CROMWELL and IRETON, with whom she returns in a moment. IRETON'S right arm is in a sling. MRS. CROMWELL has put her book aside, and is standing. She embraces OLIVER.)
_Cromwell:_ Well, mother. Almost before our own tidings, eh?
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Bless you, son. How d'ye do, Henry Ireton? (Shaking hands with him.) Is it Colonel Ireton yet?
_Ireton:_ No, ma'am.
_Cromwell:_ Soon, mother. He is marked.
_Bridget:_ Is the arm--
_Ireton:_ No, nothing.
_Cromwell:_ The mayor has not come yet?
_Bridget:_ No. You expect him?
_Cromwell:_ Yes. We must work at once.
(A bell rings.)
_Bridget:_ That may be the mayor. I will bring him.
(She goes out.)
_Cromwell:_ Elizabeth sends her devotion to you, mother.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Thank her, truly. Well, boy, it has begun?
_Cromwell:_ We must dispute it to the end now.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ May England prosper by you.
_Cromwell:_ With God's help, amen.
(BRIDGET returns with the MAYOR of Ely.)
_Cromwell:_ Welcome, Mr. Mayor.
_The Mayor:_ Your good-day, Captain Cromwell. (To MRS. CROMWELL.) Ma'am. (To IRETON.) Sir.
_Cromwell:_ Will you sit?
(They all sit, MRS. CROMWELL, BRIDGET, and IRETON by the fire. CROMWELL and the MAYOR at the table.)
_The Mayor:_ At Edgehill in Warwickshire, I hear?
_Cromwell:_ Yes.
_The Mayor:_ The issue was left uncertain, it is said?
_Cromwell:_ Of that battle, yes. But I think the issue was there decided, some few of us there learning what must now be done. Those few held firmly at Edgehill, keeping us as far from defeat as we were, though that was little enough. For our troops are most of them old decayed serving-men, and tapsters, and such kind of fellows; and their troops are gentlemen's sons, younger sons and persons of quality. Do you think that the spirits of such base, mean fellows will ever be able to encounter gentlemen, that have honour and courage and resolution in them? We must get men of a spirit that is likely to go on as far as gentlemen will go, or we shall be beaten still. We must raise such men as have the fear of God before them, such men as make some conscience of what they do. We must do this, Mr. Mayor. I never thought to use a sword, but now all must be given that it may be used well. I would have you send a summons to all the people of this town and countryside. Bid them meet two days hence in the market-place at noon. I will tell them of all these things. I will show them how the heart of England is threatened. We must give, we must be diligent in service, we must labour. An army is to be made--we must make it. We have no help but our own hands--by them alone we must save this country. Will you send out this summons?
_The Mayor_ (rising): It shall be done, this hour. My service to you.
(He bows to all and goes.)
_Cromwell:_ Nothing is to be spared the cause must have all. We must be frugal, mother. Daughter, help as you can.
_Bridget:_ I will, indeed, father.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ You commit yourself, boy, beyond turning back in all this.
_Cromwell:_ It must be so. The choice has been made, and is past.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ The Lord prosper you. But I am an old woman. Age can but have misgivings.
_Cromwell:_ We must have none, mother. We have gone to this in prayer, we must establish it in belief. Every yeoman, all the workers in the land, all courtesy and brave reason look to us. What men hereafter shall make of their lives must be between them and God in their own hearts. But to-day it must be given to them, the right to live as they most truly may in the light of their own proper character. No king may be against us. He may lead us, but he may not be against us. Have no misgivings, mother. Faith everywhere, that is our shield.
_Mrs. Cromwell_ (rising): I will be no hindrance, son.
_Cromwell:_ You are my zeal. I grew to it in you.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ I must see.
(She goes out.)
_Cromwell:_ How is Seth, Bridget?
_Bridget:_ He mends daily. Amos tends him like a mother.
_Cromwell:_ I must see them. Send to Mistress Hall and Robert. Let us have music this evening. Anthony, too. Let him bring his flute. There's good music here, Henry.
(He goes.)
_Bridget:_ Robert Hall sings beautifully.
_Ireton:_ Will you sing, too?
_Bridget:_ I expect so.
_Ireton:_ I once tried to learn the flute. It was no good. I couldn't do it unless I watched my fingers.
_Bridget:_ Was it very terrible at Edgehill?
_Ireton:_ Yes.
_Bridget:_ Were we really beaten?
_Ireton:_ No. A few saved us from that.
_Bridget:_ Were you one?
_Ireton:_ Your father was chief among them.
_Bridget:_ Was he?
_Ireton:_ He will lead armies. Every man will follow him. He never faltered, and there was no misjudgment, ever.
_Bridget:_ Did you keep the horses you had when you left London?
_Ireton:_ Yes, both of us.
_Bridget:_ I was glad to see you then.
_Ireton:_ You know what is coming?
_Bridget:_ Yes. I see it.
_Ireton:_ We shall live with danger now. It may take years. Many of us will not see the end. We are no longer our own.
_Bridget:_ These are the best crusades.
_Ireton:_ To be called, thus. To be led by such a one. I know your father will direct it--he must be the man. He is only a captain to-night, but in a month or two you will see. And we shall be a mighty following. I see them forming, terrible hosts. We must give all, truly. I shall give all, I think. It is little enough. Bridget.
_Bridget:_ Yes.
_Ireton:_ You promised. I might speak again, you said.
_Bridget:_ Yes.
_Ireton:_ Will you wed a man so dedicated?
_Bridget:_ The more for that. Yes, Henry.
_Ireton_ (as they embrace): May we tell your father now?
_Bridget:_ Yes--if I can but help you to serve.
_Ireton:_ You shape my service. In you shall all the figures of my service dwell. Will he take this kindly?
_Bridget:_ Surely. He loves you, he has said it often.
(CROMWELL returns.)
_Bridget:_ Father, Henry Ireton has to speak to you.
_Cromwell:_ Eh?
_Ireton:_ Yes, Mr. Cromwell.
_Cromwell:_ Quite so. Mr. Cromwell. That's very interesting now, isn't it?
_Ireton:_ By your leave I would marry Bridget.
_Cromwell:_ I dare say. You would be a very foolish young man else. And, what of Bridget's leave?
_Bridget:_ He has that.
_Cromwell:_ I should think so, too. Well?
_Ireton:_ You consent?
_Cromwell:_ I could do nothing more gladly. You have chosen well, both of you. I rejoice for you. But you must wait until this business we have in hand is gathered up a little.
_Bridget:_ Yes, father. It is better so.
_Cromwell:_ Let your mother know of the betrothal. I will write as well.
_Bridget:_ To-night.
_Cromwell:_ Seth asked to see you, Henry.
_Ireton:_ Shall we go?
_Bridget:_ Yes.
(BRIDGET and IRETON go.)
(CROMWELL lights a candle, gets paper and pen, and sits at the table writing. After a few moments MRS. CROMWELL comes in. She carries a large bunch of keys. CROMWELL looks up, and continues writing. She unlocks a large wooden chest, and takes some parchment deeds from it. Then she comes to CROMWELL at the table.)
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Oliver.
_Cromwell:_ Yes, mother.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ These are my five Ely houses, and the Huntingdon farmlands. Use them.
_Cromwell:_ But it's all you have.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ My needs are few, and I have not many days.
_Cromwell_ (rising): I will use them, mother, worthily, with God's help. (He kisses her.)
_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Bless you, my son. Bless you always. And may the mercy of God 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 nobility, 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 God. 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 God. 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 God inform you. In humble courage let us go forward, nourishing our strength, sure always in our cause. May God 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