Cav. Too late! O gentlemen! here, Willsden, is thy sword. Varley, arouse thee! The enemy! Away, women! Come, gentlemen—this table—a barricade, so— [1st Cavalier stands in his way.] Off, fool! [Hurls him aside.]
A tremendous explosion; the wide doors behind are burst in by a petard; the barn falls, and discovers a view of York. Enter CROMWELL with IRONSIDES through the break.
Crom. Yield, sons of Belial!
Cav. O Charles, my king! 'Tis time to die, ere see thy cause thus lost!
[Throws himself on the pikemen.]
Here, cavaliers! a blow, one blow, 'tis Noll
The butcher, brewer Noll, that in your songs
Ye send to hell so often. Send him now,
If ye be men, not cowards. What! at loss!
[1st Cavalier staggers against him as he parries two or three pikemen, and he receives a mortal stroke, and falls. During this the other cavaliers are struck down or disarmed.]
Alas! I might have reach'd him, but betray'd
By our own rotten conduct, die—Oh, had I words
Now could I prophesy—destruction—Charles!
My king! [Dies.]
Crom. There is no king save one, and He
Is with us! [Points to 1st Cavalier.]
Yon poor wretch—what saith he?
Nay!
Strike not his mouth.
1st Cav. I defy thee, Satan! I'll back my rapier, an' thou wilt fight, Brewer! Curse on thy muddy veins, thou hast no honourable desperation in thee. Come, if thou beest a man, give up thy odds. What, ho! Excalibur!