Grundo. And what did they there talk about?
Julia. I'faith, I hardly know, but was advised
'Twas a most cunning parley.
Grundo. I do well credit it.
Old Play
"I would rather talk to him in that old tapestried hall," thought Robin,
"than in this narrow chamber. There I could have a run for my life; but
here, Heaven help me! I am fairly in for it."
"The room is passing close, the air is heavy," were the Protector's
first words: "follow me to the palace-roof, where there can be no
listeners, save the pale stars, and they prate not of man's doings."
Robin followed Cromwell up a narrow flight of steps, so narrow that the
Protector could hardly climb them. They were terminated by a trap-door
leading to the roof; and there these two men, so different in station
and in stature, stood together on a species of leaden platform, which by
day commands a most beautiful and extensive view of the surrounding
country;--at night there was nothing to be seen but the dim outline of
the distant hills, and the dark woods that formed the foreground.
Scarce a sound was heard, save of the breeze wailing among the many
turrets of the proud palace, and now and then the tramp or challenge of
the sentries at the different outposts, as they passed to and fro upon
their ever-watchful guard.
"I believe your real name is Robin Hays?" said the Protector.
"Your Highness--it is so."
"And you are the son of one Mary or Margery, proprietor of an hostelry,
called the Gulls Nest?"
"The son of Margery Hays, as your Highness has said, who, God be
thanked! still lives in a quiet corner of the Isle of Shepey, and of her
good husband Michael, who has now been dead many years."
"I take it for granted that you know your own mother; but it is a wise
son who knows his own father. Impurities are, praised be the Lord! fast
fleeing from the land; but they were rife once, rife as blackberries
that grow by the roadside. Yet this is nought; what business brought you
here?"
"Your Highness knows: I came with the Rabbi Ben Israel."
"Parry not with me," exclaimed the readily-irritated Cromwell.--"I
repeat, why came ye here?"
"Your Highness is acquainted with the reason of my coming."
"I do know; but I also choose to know it from yourself. Why came ye
here?"
"Just then to seek out one who has fallen into your Highness's clutches;
with favour, I would say, under your Highness's care," replied Robin,
who felt himself not over comfortably situated.