(The labourers from the farm are gathering outside the window.  The people in the room form towards them.)

Cromwell: Brethren in God, at the end of another day’s labour we are met to praise Him from whom are the means to labour and its rewards.  As we go about these fields, He is with us.  As you deal by me, and I by you, His eye sees us.  Nothing good befalls us but it is by His will, no affliction is ours but His loving mercy will hear us.  The Lord God walks at our hand.  He is here now in our midst.  His desires are our freedom, His wrath our tyranny one over another.  Be very merciful in all your ways, for mercy is His name.  May His counsel be always with our little fellowship.  If I should fail towards any man, let him speak.  May we be as brothers always, one to another.  And may we serve Him to serve whom alone is wisdom.  In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.  “All people that on earth do dwell.”

(They sing:)

  All people that on earth do dwell,
    Sing to the Lord, with cheerful voice;
  Him serve with fear, his praise forth tell,
    Come ye before Him and rejoice.

  The Lord, we know, is God indeed. 
    Without our aid He did us make;
  We are his folk, He doth us feed,
    And for his sheep He doth us take.

  O enter then his gate with praise,
    Approach with joy his courts unto;
  Praise, laud, and bless his name always,
    For it is seemly so to do.

(As the men move away, one of them, SETH TANNER, comes forward.)

Seth: As I came up from Long Close I stopped at the ale-house.  Two fellows were there from the Earl of Bedford.  Talking they were.

Cromwell: What had they to say?

Seth: It seems they know you are going to stand out for the people to-morrow.

Cromwell: Well?

Seth: Treason, they call it.

Cromwell: Treason.

Seth: Seeing that my Lord of Bedford has the King’s authority, as it were.

Cromwell: Thank you, Seth.

Seth: They were coming here, they said.  To warn you, and persuade you against it if it might be.

Cromwell: Thank you, Seth.

Seth (to HAMPDEN):  If I might be so bold, sir?

Hampden: What, my friend?

Seth: That was a brave thing to do, sir, that about the ship money.  We common folk know what it means.  I’m sure we thank you with all our hearts.

Hampden: I don’t know about brave, but I know it is good to be thanked like that.

Seth: Yes, sir.  That’s all.  Good-even, sir; good-even, mistress.

(He is moving away as two of BEDFORD’S agents appear at the window, followed by the other labourers, who have returned with them.)

First Agent: Is this Mr. Oliver Cromwell’s?

Cromwell: It is.