So there is feasting and gluttony
amongst our captains. Hearken ye, I shall call a
conference straightway. When the generals be come,
which they will do with sore grumbling, then do ye
fall to and spare not! I will stand between you and
the fierce wrath of them that be spoiled. Three rolls
on the kettledrum shall be the signal. See that ye
leave nothing. [_Going, L._]

[_As he goes he strikes his pipe on the back of the
corslet of one of the soldiers; so that the
ashes fall on his neck._]

_Sol._ Now may the devil!

_Crom._ Ho! swearest thou?--fy! fy! for shame,
Orderly officer! set Hezekiah Sin-Despise down in
thy book five shillings for an oath. Truly Sin-Despise
is no fitting name for thee, but rather
'Overcome-by-Sin.' Come, as I did tempt thy railing,
I will pay thy fine. [_Gives him money._] Tush! grin not so,
man. I thought my Ironsides were proof against fire
as well as steel. [_Exit, L._]

_Shouts of the Soldiers._ Live, Cromwell! live, our
worthy general!

[_WILLIAM re-enters and joins the Soldiers. Exeunt, B._]

_Enter ARTHUR reading a letter, U.E.L._

"----and so, cousin, I am very miserable, and if
you have this influence with the General Cromwell,
whose fair daughter I do so well remember, get me a
home with her; for, alas! I can stay no longer here.
And yet my father? But to wed with one that I
despise, it is impossible, and all things are prepared,
I look to you alone for rescue. Farewell. _Florence._"

I will! I will "Postscript. I hear you are
engaged in these dreadful wars. Pray heaven! you
have chosen aright; for I know not. But peril not
your life more than becomes true valour; for I have
heard you are dear to many. Adieu!" _I_ dear to
many?--let's see, there is my faithful serving-man--poor
fellow, he likes not this life, and doth assume
an amusing kind of fear, but I do believe thinking
more of me than himself. Well then; I had a dog;
but he was lost the night of our passage, when but
for his inveterate barking, for which I beat him, I
had surely been drowned in the cabin, where I slept,
when the vessel was stranded--he loved me; but for
more--I know them not.

O dearest Florence! were I lov'd indeed by thee,
There were indeed a bright star in the sky,
To guide my shatter'd bark of destiny! [_Retires, U.R._]

_Enter CROMWELL, IRETON, DESBOROUGH, and others,
U.E.L., ARTHUR joins them._

_Crom._ Thus, gentlemen, the reports being ended, I
would bu