stens in._]

_Ord._ The earl doth bid you
Prepare for instant action; Rupert and Newcastle
Are forth outside the gates.

_Crom._ Said I not so?--
Their hearts are hardened by the Lord of hosts.
[_Musketry in the distance._] [_To an officer entering._]
Did you not hear me when I said "Bring up the
fascines?" How shall we cross the ditch? Do you
not heed? Quick, man!

_Offi._ Even as Balaam said to Balak, Lo! I will but
speak what the Lord hath put in my mouth. [_Turning
to the Soldiers._] Wherefore, I say, O brethren,
be ye as they the Lord set apart to Gideon--

_Crom._ [_Striking him with his pistol butt._] Take
that, thou babbling fool! this is no fitting time to
preach. Ho! Jepherson. Bring up the facines.

_Enter ARTHUR, L., to CROMWELL._

_Arth._ Fairfax is beaten, and our right wing scattered.

_Crom._ Hist! dismay not these. Doth Rupert follow them?

_Arth._ He doth fight fiercely.

_Crow._ Then will I meet him. Victor to victor, we
will close together. Ho! forward!

[_Another Officer enters._]

_Offi._ The musketry of Belial hath mowed our
ranks, and the sons of Zeruiah--

_Crom._ Tush, tell me not of Zeruiah, or, by the
Eternal, I will smite thee! Speak in English.

_Offi._ The Scotch are in disorder. Lucas, and
Porter, and the malignant Goring are playing havoc
with them. Newcastle, with his white coats, is
winning on us at the pike's point.

_Crom._ That's what is done. What is to do? What
says the General?

_Offi._ That you charge Rupert.

_Crom._ Why did you not speak sooner?
I am dead
To hear you drawl thus. Righteous Lambert, on!
Bring up the regiments.
Tell brave Frizell,
He shall see sport anon--

[_A Soldier gives him his morion._]

I will not wear it!
I cannot see around--

[_A heavy discharge of cannon heard without._]

Ho! Desborough,

Here is a dinner for thee. See thou carve it
Right well. On! on! a Cromwell for a Rupert!

_Soldiers._ The Lord and Cromwell!

_Crom._ Nay, not thus: shout rather
"God and his people! England! Liberty!"

[_Exeunt L._]

[_Different parties of wounded Soldiers enter U.E.L;
some being assisted, and others staggering; the scene
becomes dark and obscured with clouds of smoke.
Several Soldiers fall down._]

[_Enter WILLIAM, R., meeting a wounded Trooper, L._]

_Troop._ How goes the day? Why art thou not
with the saints, that are now fighting?

_Will._ I was about to fight; but they wait