Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/285

Manasseh [with an affirmative gesture.
Here? There.
Cromwell.And when?
Manasseh. And when? To-morrow.
Cromwell. And when? To-morrow. Liest thou not?
Manasseh.Thou son of Amnion! Lie! Is it thy wish
That I evoke thy demon here and now?
But first, to bring him to subjection, thou
Must needs repeat in unison with me
Eight lines beginning all with the same letter.

[Cromwell seems to hesitate at this suggestion.—At this moment Rochester turns in his sleep, and sighs.

Manasseh [alarmed.]But some one hears us—
[He goes to the bed and discovers Rochester asleep.
But some one hears us—Yes, the charm is broken.
He has heard all.
Cromwell. He has heard all. Nay, think'st thou that he could
Have overheard us?
Manasseh. Have overheard us? Most assuredly.
Cromwell.Then he must die!
[He draws his dagger and goes to Rochester's side.
Manasseh. Then he must die! Strike! for thou canst not do
A better deed.
[Aside.] A better deed. E'en by a Christian hand
We 'll immolate a Christian!
Cromwell. We 'll immolate a Christian! If it be
That he has overheard the interview
'Twixt Cromwell and the Jew, then let him die!
[He raises his dagger over Rochester, then pauses.
But he is sleeping.
Manasseh [touching his arm.] Well?
Cromwell [still uncertain.] … Well? He is so young!
Manasseh.It is the Sabbath! Strike!