(Cromwell comes into the tent, fully armed, hot and dusty from the road. The shouting dies away, but outside there is a sound as of new life until the end of the scene. Seth, Oliver's servant, stands at the tent opening.)

Fairfax:

You are welcome; none can say how much.

Cromwell:

A near thing, sir. I only heard from Westminster yesterday at noon.

Fairfax:

They told us nothing.

Cromwell:

There are many poor creatures at Westminster, sir. Many of them, I doubt not, would have willingly had me kept uninformed of this. But we are in time, and that's all. Henry. Good-morning, gentlemen. How goes it?

Fairfax