Part 17 (1/2)

_Bridget:_ Is father there?

_Ireton:_ Yes.

_Elizabeth:_ Not alone?

_Ireton:_ No. Fairfax and Harrison--five of them.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ The King--very brave, I suppose?

_Ireton:_ Yes. That was inevitable. We are old campaigners.

_Elizabeth:_ Oliver says that he has been n.o.ble since death was certain.

_Ireton:_ Yes.

_Bridget:_ If he had but lived so.

_Ireton:_ He made life ign.o.ble. He would have made it ign.o.ble again, and always.

He was a king and he despoiled his people. When that is, kings must perish.

(There is a movement and sound of voices in the streets. IRETON opens the window. ELIZABETH and BRIDGET stand with him.)

_Ireton:_ Yes. It is done.

(MRS. CROMWELL slowly moves across to the window and stands with the others.)

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Poor, silly king. Oliver will be here directly. Shut the window, Henry.

(IRETON shuts the window. He, ELIZABETH, and BRIDGET stand looking out.

MRS. CROMWELL returns to her seat. All are very still, and there is a long pause. Then, unseen and unheard, CROMWELL comes in, moving slowly, his coat and hat still on, his boots carrying snow. He looks at his people, all with their backs to him. He walks across the room, and stands behind his mother, looking into the fire.)

THE SCENE CLOSES

SCENE VIII

_A November night in 1654, six years later. MRS. CROMWELL'S bedroom in Whitehall, where CROMWELL is now installed as Protector._

_MRS. CROMWELL, now aged ninety-four, is on her death-bed. Standing beside her is ELIZABETH, ministering to her._

_Elizabeth:_ Is that comfortable?

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Yes, my dear, very comfortable.

_Elizabeth:_ Bridget is coming now. I must go down to Cheapside. I must see that man there myself.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_ Very well, my dear. Bridget is a good girl. I may be asleep before you come back. Good-night.

_Elizabeth_ (kissing her): Good-night.