Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/387

 11.—.

Voices in the Crowd. Old Noll is very late!—When will he come From Whitehall, think you?—Thus to wait and wait Is tedious.—

Silence! do you hear the bells? The cannon?—He is coming.—Will he pass Through the Old Bailey?—No, through Piccadilly.— Great Heaven! see the crowd upon the square!— You'd say 'twas the whole city.—See the heads Below, and heads above! a swarming mass.— Although 'tis very hot, there's not a tile Upon the roofs, nor in the streets a stone, That's not surcharged with ill-assorted faces.— I know of windows at high prices let.— Cromwell to see! to see a human face! These Babylonians are downright mad.— God help me! I am suffocating! Ah!— Look! the procession's entering the square.— At last!—

Who's at the head?—'Tis Major Skippon.— Skippon?—A gallant soldier, well renowned!— At Worcester he was the first of all To cross the Severn on the bridge of boats.— The Saints that day their long swords wielded well!— Less well than January thirtieth At Whitehall!—Man! thou say'st it in a tone That doth invite assassination.—Peace!