Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/86

 That brings me here. My lords, may God be with you! Ormond.Do you bring news from Germany, dear sir? Davenant.Yes, from Cologne I came. Ormond. You saw the King? Davenant.No, but his Majesty had speech with me. Ormond.I do not understand you, by my faith. Davenant.Here's the whole mystery. Cromwell, before He gave consent that I should leave this realm, Did summon me before him and demand My plighted word that I'd not see the King. I promised. But no sooner in Cologne Was I than I recalled the wiles I learned In Gascony: I wrote the King to beg That I might to his presence be admitted At night, without a light. Rochester [laughing.] Most excellent! Davenant.His Majesty, who vouchsafed to assent, Gave audience to me, and honoured me With his commands to be conveyed to you. Thus, to my twofold duty loyal ever, I had speech with the King, yet saw him not. Rochester [laughing heartily.]Ah! Davenant, the ruse was well devised. You've writ no more diverting comedy. Ormond [to , in an undertone. Diverting! I mislike such trickery. A poet's oath is held of no account. But subtleties like this, the which I call By other names, would never satisfy A gentleman's conception of true honour. [To .] And the King's written order? Davenant. In my hat.