(A bell rings.)
_Bridget:_
That may be the mayor. I will bring him.
(She goes out.)
_Cromwell:_
Elizabeth sends her devotion to you, mother.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_
Thank her, truly. Well, boy, it has begun?
_Cromwell:_
We must dispute it to the end now.
_Mrs. Cromwell:_
May England prosper by you.
_Cromwell:_
With God's help, amen.
(BRIDGET returns with the MAYOR of Ely.)
_Cromwell:_
Welcome, Mr. Mayor.
_The Mayor:_
Your good-day, Captain Cromwell.
(To MRS. CROMWELL.)
Ma'am.
(To IRETON.)
Sir.
_Cromwell:_
Will you sit?
(They all sit, MRS. CROMWELL, BRIDGET, and IRETON by the fire. CROMWELL
and the MAYOR at the table.)
_The Mayor:_
At Edgehill in Warwickshire, I hear?
_Cromwell:_
Yes.
_The Mayor:_
The issue was left uncertain, it is said?
_Cromwell:_
Of that battle, yes. But I think the issue was there decided, some few
of us there learning what must now be done. Those few held firmly at
Edgehill, keeping us as far from defeat as we were, though that was
little enough. For our troops are most of them old decayed serving-men,
and tapsters, and such kind of fellows; and their troops are gentlemen's
sons, younger sons and persons of quality. Do you think that the spirits
of such base, mean fellows will ever be able to encounter gentlemen,
that have honour and courage and resolution in them? We must get men of
a spirit that is likely to go on as far as gentlemen will go, or we
shall be beaten still.
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