Seeing that my Lord of Bedford has the King's authority, as it were.

Thank you, Seth.

They were coming here, they said. To warn you, and persuade you against it if it might be.

Thank you, Seth.

If I might be so bold, sir?

What, my friend?

That was a brave thing to do, sir, that about the ship money. We common folk know what it means. I'm sure we thank you with all our hearts.

I don't know about brave, but I know it is good to be thanked like that.

Yes, sir. That's all. Good-even, sir; good-even, mistress.

Is this Mr. Oliver Cromwell's?

It is.

The door is along there, to the right.

It's no matter, mother. What do you want?

To see Mr. Cromwell.

You are speaking to him.

May we come in?

Why, yes.

May we speak with you alone?

These are all my friends. I have nothing to say that I would not have them hear.

It is discretion for your sake.

I do not desire your interest. What have you to say?

It is said that you will oppose the proclamation to-morrow.

Assuredly.

The Earl of Bedford and those with him have not drained these commons for nothing.

Well?

They have earned the rights to be proclaimed to-morrow.

By whose will?

By the King's.

These rights of pasture belong to the people. It is within no man's powers to take them away.

The King decrees it.

I know not how that may be. I know that these rights are the people's, above any earl or king whatsoever. The King is to defend our rights, not to destroy them.

This is plain treason.

It is plain sense.

What will you do?

To-morrow you will proclaim these rights from the people to my lord of Bedford. To-morrow I shall tell the people that I alone, if needs be, will oppose it. I will fight it from court to court. I will make these rights my rights—as they are. These people of Ely shall speak through me. They shall pay me a groat a year for each head of cattle they graze, and they shall enjoy every foot of the land as long as I have a word or a pound left for resistance.