Scene 11.—The Populace.
Voices in the Crowd.
Old Noll is very late!—When will he come
From Whitehall, think you?—Thus to wait and wait
Is tedious.—
Silence! do you hear the bells?
The cannon?—He is coming.—Will he pass
Through the Old Bailey?—No, through Piccadilly.—
Great Heaven! see the crowd upon the square!—
You'd say 'twas the whole city.—See the heads
Below, and heads above! a swarming mass.—
Although 'tis very hot, there's not a tile
Upon the roofs, nor in the streets a stone,
That's not surcharged with ill-assorted faces.—
I know of windows at high prices let.—
Cromwell to see! to see a human face!
These Babylonians are downright mad.—
God help me! I am suffocating! Ah!—
Look! the procession's entering the square.—
At last!—
Who's at the head?—'Tis Major Skippon.—
Skippon?—A gallant soldier, well renowned!—
At Worcester he was the first of all
To cross the Severn on the bridge of boats.—
The Saints that day their long swords wielded well!—
Less well than January thirtieth
At Whitehall!—Man! thou say'st it in a tone
That doth invite assassination.—Peace!
