Murray [forcing his way to the front.
How now! His Grace
But one will favour. Be my advocate,
My lord! for since he's to be made a king,
I can, methinks, be useful to his Highness.
I am a noble Scotsman. In my youth
Incomparable favour I enjoyed
With Charles the Prince of Wales. Whene'er it chanced
That to some evil spirit giving way
His Royal Highness lapsed, to me befell
The privilege unique and memorable
Of suffering the lash the Prince had earned.
Carr [with restrained indignation.
Base sycophant! thus, twice detestable,
He was with Stuart vile, and is with Cromwell!
Like Mephiboseth, he limps with either leg.
Waller [offering Carr a paper.
My name is Waller. Dithyrambs I've writ
Anent the galleys from the Spaniard ta'en.
Carr [between his teeth.]Gold is thy inspiration and reward,
Thou worshipper of Noll!
Col. Jephson [to Carr.] Prithee, my lord,
Recall my name unto his Highness' mind.—
'Tis Colonel Jephson. My good mother was
A countess. I would fain be made a peer.
Serg. Maynard [to Carr.]Tell the Protector what for his behoof
I cast aside.—George Cony, forced to pay
Illegal taxes, hotly me besought
To be his advocate. But I refused,
Although my table is but ill-supplied.
Carr [aside.]In all this rhodomontade I descry
The aspic's venom and the dragon's gall.
Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/168
156
CROMWELL
