Ireton: We have that pride—­and we have suffered.

Cromwell: I can disabuse rumour about Scotland, I can persuade Parliament about the Presbytery, I can convince the army of your good faith as to tolerance, if you will but give me the word.  Let us together make Charles Rex the noblest name of Christendom.

Charles: How shall I stand with the Episcopacy?

Cromwell: All tyrannies must go together.  We mislike no bishops save that they stand by a tyrannous church.  That we will destroy.  It is there as I have said.  We attack not faiths or opinions, but despotism.  Let a man think as he will, but he shall command no other man to think it.

Ireton: We will not persecute even our persecutors.  But they shall stay their hands, now and for ever.

Cromwell: This is just; merciful even.  Will you work with us together, sir, to the salvation of our country?

Charles: You are very patient.

Cromwell: To great ends.  Why do you deliberate, sir?  What invention is needed?  All is so plain.  And many wish you disaster.  If you refuse this, it may be hard to deny them.

Charles: We do not fear disaster.

Cromwell: But I offer you an ascendancy undreamt of.  It should be plain.

Charles: You offer much, and it should prosper.  Or I think so.  But I must consider.  One has old habits, not easily to be put by.  One grows to kingship thus, or thus—­the manner does not readily change.  But I will consider it.

Cromwell: Time presses.

Charles: Yes, but a day or two.  Say three days.

Cromwell: Three days, then, sir.  I brought Your Majesty this.  (He takes a miniature from his pouch.) It is newly drawn by Mr. Cooper.  It is of a young man, Andrew Marvell, of whose verses Your Majesty would think well.  He should do much.  Cooper has drawn it well—­it’s very decisive in line, sir?

Charles: Yes.  A little heavy there in the nostril, perhaps, but good.  Yes, very.

Cromwell: I am told that Van Dyck admires him.

Charles: I have heard him say so.

Cromwell: It’s generous of him—­the methods are so different.

Charles:
Van Dyck draws marvellously in sanguine. 
(He takes a drawing from the drawer in front of him and places it before
Cromwell, on the case of papers.)
That approaches any of the masters, I think.

Cromwell: Good—­yes.  And yet Hans Holbein was incomparable—­not so assertive—­no, copious, and yet as complete, simpler.  But—­yes, there is great dignity here.

(He holds up the drawing in front of him, holding it against the folio case for firmness.  CHARLES makes a movement, but instantly restrains himself.  CROMWELL is about to replace the drawing and case on the table, when his glance falls on NEAL’S paper, which is lying in front of him.  He sees nothing, but a second glance arrests all his movement.  After a moment he turns to look fixedly at the King.  There is a silence; then:)