I had
prevailed. It is finished. Blood is upon us again, blood spilled for a
perfidious king. The sword that we had put by for ever! My God, how I
have feared it! Well, so be it. We go to the field again--but then,
prepare you for the reckoning. It shall be to the uttermost.
_Charles:_
This argument is ended.
_Cromwell:_
All arguments are ended.
(He goes with IRETON, taking the paper.)
THE SCENE CLOSES
SCENE VII
_CROMWELL'S house in London. The morning of January 30, 1649, the day of
the King's execution._
_Outside the window can be seen the grey winter gloom, brightened by
fallen snow. The room, in which a fire is burning, is empty, and for a
time there is silence. Then from a near street comes the soft sound of
muffled drums._
_BRIDGET runs in, and goes to the window, opening it. Then she goes back
to the door, and calls._
_Bridget:_
Mother.
(She goes back to the window.)
_Elizabeth_
(coming in):
Yes.
_Bridget:_
It is the King. He is passing down to Whitehall.
_Elizabeth:_
Don't look, child.
_Bridget:_
I can see nothing but the pike-heads. The people seem very still. You
can hear nothing but the drums.
(A little later MRS. CROMWELL comes in.
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