Pemberton: It is shameful of them.

Ireton: It is.  But that hope is gone.  Do I take the left, sir?

Fairfax: You must choose.  The horse entirely are your command now.

Ireton: Whalley on the right, and you, Pemberton.

Fairfax: What’s the hour?

Staines: Six o’clock, sir.

Fairfax: They have had three hours.  Let the army sleep till ten if it may be.

Staines: Yes, sir.

Ireton: Are you satisfied about those footmen on the left, sir?

Fairfax: No, not satisfied.  But we cannot better it.

Pemberton: Rupert is almost certain to see the weakness there.

Fairfax: Yes, but there it is.  Skippon must cover it as he can.  We have spoken of it very exactly.

Ireton: If either wing of our horse breaks, it means certain disaster there, even though Skippon could hold in the centre.

Fairfax: That’s Cromwell again.  And all to satisfy the pride of a few useless members that his self-denying ordinance keeps out of command.

Staines: Do you think it’s that, sir?

Fairfax: What else?  They are more jealous that he should come to no more honour than that we should succeed.  And after all that has been given.

Ireton: The blood.

Pemberton: It is abominable.

Fairfax: But there—­we must not distress ourselves.  We have our own loyalty.  Keep in touch with Skippon, Staines.  If you can push their right foot up towards Sibbertoft there, spare nothing in the doing.  Have you all slept, gentlemen?

Ireton and the others: Yes, sir.

Fairfax: Since we lack General Cromwell, more depends on you, Ireton, than on any man, perhaps.  You will not be wanting, I know.

Ireton: In endeavour at least—­and we can die.

(A scout comes in.)

Fairfax: Yes?

The Scout: Something moves across from the east, sir.  It is very faint.  It may be haze, or it may be dust.

Fairfax: Watch.  Come again at once.

(The scout goes.  FAIRFAX and the others go to the tent opening, and look out.)

Fairfax: Yes—­there.  It is moving, isn’t it?

Ireton: I think not.

Staines: Surely.

Pemberton: Could it be?

Fairfax: No.  We should have heard.

Ireton: And yet it seems to be moving.

Fairfax: Gentlemen, we must keep counsel with ourselves.  This is to waste.  Nerves must be unclouded to-day.

(He returns to his seat, the others with him.)

Fairfax: Finally, if we on the right have to fall back on Mill Hill, bring your horse down on to the Kilmarsh Road, Pemberton, if it be any way possible.