"We rejoiced in slaying the enemies of the Lord; with many tears and prayers and strivings we sought assurance of the Lord's will and brought the tyrant to judgment. Thou and I put our names to his death-warrant; thou and I will answer together for that deed before the Heavenly Throne, and I can say before Him who searcheth all hearts, I did this thing thinking His hand was in it, and that the land could only be cleansed from blood by the blood of him who first shed blood. But thou, what canst thou say?—I slew this man that I might climb into his place, succeed to his power, sleep in his rich bed, have carnal honours for my children, and a high name for myself! Oh, Oliver, thou canst say nothing else!"
"Before Him who made me a Joshua over this Israel I need no defence," answered His Highness simply. "He knoweth my poor heart and what He put therein—and how this miserable flesh, with many stumbles, tried to do His will. I am not afraid of my God. Leave Him to judge me and return to thy ancient faithfulness to me."
"Thou wert," said Harrison, "as the apple of mine eye, but now I loathe thee. Thou hast turned aside, and thou shalt not tempt me to follow thee, even if thou flatterest me, saying, 'Come and sit on my right hand and share my power.'"
The Lord-Protector took a sharp turn about the room.
"Thou art deluded, I plainly see," he said; "but it cannot be allowed that thou shouldst run into these excursions, though I have given thee a great latitude—I say that it cannot be allowed. I have with a great deal of patience suffered thee to sally out, but I perceive thou art misled, yea, and rebellious—surely we will have no rebellion."
"Do what you will with me," said Harrison calmly. "I will give my little poor testimony to the truth as I know it. Maybe I am a little mistaken, but I act according to my understanding, desiring to make the revealed Word of God in His Holy Scriptures my guide."
"Thou art mistaken," replied Cromwell gloomily. "Beware of a hard heart and an obdurate spirit. And beware of these Fifth-Monarchy Men. They plot against the Commonwealth—they plot against my life."
"You believe that of me?" asked Harrison sharply.
"Why not?" returned His Highness scornfully. "Thou hast put thy hand to the removal of one tyrant and may willingly desire to remove another."
"What I did against Charles Stewart was not done in a corner," said the Republican calmly, "nor should I act in a hidden way against you or against anyone."