But watch, your mind enlighten with the lamp.
The mind's a temple, every man a priest.
Your talents to the common hearthstone bring;
The prophets preached in all the public squares,
The holy temple's windows were askew.
[Aside.]O Obededom Wilmot, may thou hang,
If I do understand a word I've said!
Cromwell [aside.]An Anabaptist he.—In logic strong;
But in reality his doctrine is
Most demagogical.
Rochester [continuing with animation.
The gift of tongues
Doth come to him who often speaks, and much.
[Aside.]I am a living proof!
[Aloud.]By vigils, prayers
And meditation, one becomes a Levite.
Then one may overtake, though fast he walks,
Satan, who, notwithstanding his club-foot,
In but one day, to Beth-Marcaboth goes
From Beth-Lebaoth.
[Aside.]This goes well, i' faith!
I will arouse him e'en to ecstasy.
Cromwell [checking him.]Enough.—Upon false bases you erect
Your edifice. But we'll recur thereto.
What are the impure beasts?
Rochester. The herons all,
The ostrich, larus, ibis, from the Ark
Excluded, and the bittern,
[Aside.]And the Cromwell—
[Aloud.]And everything that doth both fly and walk.
Cromwell.And those whereof we are allowed to eat?
Rochester.Altacus, buchus, ophiomachus.
Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/183
ACT SECOND. THE SPIES
171
