MESSENGER.
Farewell, Bononians. Come, friend, a long with me.
HODGE.
My friend, afore; my Lordship will follow thee.
[Exit.]
GOVERNOUR.
Well, Mantua, since by thee the Earl is lost,
Within few days I hope to see thee crossed.
[Exit omnes.]
[Enter Chorus.]
CHORUS.
Thus far you see how Cromwell's fortune passed.
The Earl of Bedford, being safe in Mantua,
Desires Cromwell's company into France,
To make requital for his courtesy:
But Cromwell doth deny the Earl his suit,
And tells him that those parts he meant to see,
he had not yet set footing on the land,
And so directly takes his way to Spain:
The Earl to France, and so they both do part.
Now let your thoughts, as swift as is the wind,
Skip some few years, that Cromwell spent in travel,
And now imagine him to be in England,
Servant unto the master of the Rules,
Where in short time he there began to flourish.
An hour shall show you what few years did cherish.
[Exit.]
ACT III. SCENE III. London. A room in Sir Christopher Hales's house.
[The Music plays, they bring out the banquet. Enter Sir
Christopher Hales, and Cromwell, and two servants.]