Oliver Cromwell Part 12

_Fairfax:_ Gentlemen, we must keep counsel with ourselves. This is to waste. Nerves must be unclouded to-day.

(He returns to his seat, the others with him.)

_Fairfax:_ Finally, if we on the right have to fall back on Mill Hill, bring your horse down on to the Kilmarsh Road, Pemberton, if it be any way possible.

_Pemberton:_ Yes--there's a ford there, at the fork if we are upstream.

_Ireton:_ I'll speak to Whalley, too.

_Fairfax:_ If at last there should be a general retreat, it is to the west of Naseby, remember.

_Ireton:_ Yes. To the west. That there should be that even in the mind!

_Fairfax:_ In that case, the baggage is my concern.

(Outside is heard a low murmur of excitement.)

_Fairfax:_ Staines, will you tell Conway that five hundred of his best men must dispute the Naseby road to the east. And let Mitch.e.l.l command under him.

_Staines:_ Yes, sir.

(The noise outside grows.)

_Pemberton:_ What is it?

_Fairfax:_ See.

(PEMBERTON goes to the tent opening and looks out.)

_Pemberton:_ Our men are watching something. It is something moving. Hors.e.m.e.n--it must be.

(The excitement grows and grows. IRETON joins PEMBERTON.)

_Ireton:_ There is something.

_Fairfax:_ Gentlemen, let us promise ourselves nothing.

(IRETON and PEMBERTON move into the tent at FAIRFAX'S word. As they do so the voices outside break out into a great shout--"_Ironsides--Ironsides--Ironsides is coming to lead us!_" The scout comes in, glowing.)

_Fairfax_ (rising): Yes?

_The Scout:_ General Cromwell is riding into the field with his Ironsides, sir, some six hundred strong.

_Fairfax:_ Thank G.o.d!

(CROMWELL comes into the tent, fully armed, hot and dusty from the road.

The shouting dies away, but outside there is a sound as of new life until the end of the scene. SETH, OLIVER'S servant, stands at the tent opening.)

_Fairfax:_ You are welcome; none can say how much.

_Cromwell:_ A near thing, sir. I only heard from Westminster yesterday at noon.

_Fairfax:_ They told us nothing.

_Cromwell:_ There are many poor creatures at Westminster, sir. Many of them, I doubt not, would have willingly had me kept uninformed of this. But we are in time, and that's all. Henry. Good-morning, gentlemen. How goes it?

_Fairfax_ (taking his seat, CROMWELL and the others also at the table): The battle is set. Our foot there, Skippon and myself. Colonel Ireton and Whalley are with the horse. They are at your service.

_Cromwell_ (at the map): Rupert will be there. Langdale, if I mistake not, will be there. That road--is it good?

_Pemberton:_ Poor below Mill Hill, sir.

_Cromwell:_ Then that is the point; it may be decisive there. You take the left, Henry.

_Ireton:_ Yes, sir.

_Cromwell:_ Let Whalley be on my left here--give him fifteen hundred. I have six hundred. I'll take the right with them myself, Are you on the left, sir?

_Fairfax:_ Yes, and the second line.

_Cromwell:_ Good--can I have two of the best regiments down here behind me?

_Fairfax:_ Yes. Staines, let Spilsby see to that.

_Cromwell:_ Spilsby is good.

_Staines:_ If I might say it, would you choose him for that, sir? It is a great responsibility, and he has been indiscreet. I thought not to use him to-day.

_Cromwell:_ Indiscreet?

_Staines:_ In his utterances, sir. His belief is in some question.

_Cromwell:_ Surely you are not well advised to turn off one so faithful to the cause, and so able to serve you as this man is. He is indiscreet, you say. It may be so in some things; we all have human infirmities. Sir, the state, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If men be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies. Let it be Spilsby.

_Staines:_ Yes, sir.

_Cromwell:_ Is the army well rested, sir?

_Fairfax:_ They are resting now. Till ten o'clock. We moved up at three.

_Cromwell:_ Three hours for my men. It is enough. The order to advance at eleven?

_Fairfax:_ At eleven.

_Cromwell:_ Is the word for the day chosen?

_Fairfax:_ Not yet.

_Cromwell:_ Let it be, "G.o.d our strength." Gentlemen.