Yes, the end will be with us, mark me.
_Ned:_
May Your Majesty reckon truly.
_Charles:_
Is Cromwell coming to-night?
_Ned:_
He said not.
_Charles:_
Strangely, the fellow grows on me. But he's a fool, Neal. Brave, but a
fool. He sees nothing. Indeed, he's too dull. Ireton too--they are heavy
stuff. Clods. Poor country. She needs us again truly. To check such
mummers as these--all means are virtuous for that, Neal, eh?
_Neal:_
Your Majesty knows.
_Charles:_
Yes, we need no counsel. You are sure that Cromwell was not coming
to-night.
_Neal:_
That was as he said, sire.
_Charles:_
Then let us consider. These Scots. What was it? Did you set it down?
_Neal:_
Yes, sire.
(He gets the paper that he put in the bureau, and gives it to CHARLES.)
_Charles_
(reading it):
Yes. Write.
(NEAL does so on a large folio sheet.)
Clause I. For the reason that the Scots should invade England. Let the
intrigues of Parliament with the army and its leaders--notably Oliver
Cromwell--to the peril of the Church and the King, stand to the world
in justification. Clause 2. The royal forces in England shall move
when and as the Duke of Hamilton directs. Clause 3. The King shall
guarantee Presbyterian control in England for three years from this
date.
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