lations towards good are for ever speculations, and he who hath proposed them is a chimerical and weak creature. CROMWEL. Proportions should exist in all things. Sovrans are paid higher than others for their office: they should therefor be punished more severely for abusing it, even if the consequences of this abuse were in nothing more grievous or extensive. We cannot clap them in the stocks conveniently, nor whip them at the market-place. Where there is a crown there must be an axe: I would keep it there only. NOBLE. Lop off the rotten, press out the poisonous, keep well the rest. Let it suffice to have given this memorable example of national power and justice. CROMWEL. Justice is perfect; an attribute of God; we must not trifle with it. NOBLE. Should we be less merciful to our fellow creatures than to our domestic animals? Before we deliver them to be killed, we weigh their services against their inconveniences. On the foundation of policy, when we have no better, let us erect the trophies of humanity: let us consider that, educated in the same manner, and situated in the same position, we ourselves might have acted as reprovably. Abolish that for ever which must else for ever generate abuses; and attribute the faults of the man to the office, not the faults of the office to the man. CROMWEL. I abominate and detest kingship. NOBLE. I abominate and detest hangmanship; but in certain stages of society both are necessary. Let them go together, we want neither now. CROMWEL. Prythee, Wat, since thou readest, as I see, the books of philosophers, didst thou ever hear of Digby's remedies by sympathy? Yes, formerly. NOBLE. CROMWEL. Well, now, I protest, I do believe there is something in them. To cure my headache, I must breathe a vein in the neck of Charles. NOBLE. Oliver, Oliver, others are wittiest over wine, thou over blood...cold-hearted, cruel man. CROMWEL. Why, dost thou verily think me so, Walter? Perhaps thou art right in the main: but he alone, who fashioned me in my mother's womb, and who sees things deeper than we do, knows that. I F |