CROMWELL.

Milton, his Secretary.

Arthur Walton.

Basil, his Half-Brother.

Sir Simon Nevel, their Uncle.

Ireton, Son-in-law of Cromwell.

Harrison, )
Desborough, )
Bradshaw, )
Marten, ) Parliamentarians. 
Lilburne, )
Hacker, )
Ludlow, )
sir Harry Vane, )

William, Servant to Arthur.

Hezekiah Newborn, Host.

Pearson, Attendant on Cromwell.

Wyckoff, Accomplice of Basil.

Bowtell, an Ironside.

Cavaliers, Roundheads, Officers, Gentlemen, Soldiers,
Guests of the Inn, Poachers, Citizens, a Preacher,
Old Man, Trooper, Servants, Messengers, &c., &c.

The lady Cromwell.

Elizabeth, her Daughter.

Florence Nevel, Daughter of Sir Simon.

Lady Fairfax.

Barbara, Maid of Florence.

Attendants, Women, &c.

CROMWELL.

Act I.

Scene I.

[1st Cut.] [2nd Grooves.]

A Lane near a Village.  Afternoon.

Enter ARTHUR WALTON and WILLIAM, R.S.E.

Arthur. Give me your arm, my feet tread heavily;
The sameness of this scene doth pierce my heart
With thronging recollections of the past. 
There is nought chang’d—­and what a world of care,
Of sorrow, passion, pleasure have I known,
Since but a natural part of this was I,
Whose voice is now a discord to the sounds
Once daily mellow’d in my youthful being. 
Methinks I feel like one that long hath read
A strange and chequer’d story, and doth rise,
With a deep sigh to be himself again.

Will. One would not think, Sir, how much blood had stain’d
Old England, since we left her, finding thus
All things so peaceful; but one thing I mark’d
As we did skirt the village.

Arth. What was that?

Will. The king’s face was defac’d—­the sign o’ the inn
At jolly Master Gurton’s—­mind you not
How sad it look’d?  Yet ’neath it I’ve been gay,
A time or two; ’tis not my fortune now: 
Those bright Italian skies have even marr’d
My judgment of clear ale.

Arth. I’faith ’twill need A marvellous scant repair.

Will. One jovial day Of honest mud and wholesome English fog.