ACT IV

Many of the Presbyterian Party. The Adherents ofStrafford,etc.A Group of Presbyterians.—1. I tell you he struckMaxwell: Maxwell soughtTo stay the Earl: he struck him and passed on.2. Fear as you may, keep a good countenanceBefore these rufflers.3.Strafford here the first,With the great army at his back!4.No doubt.I would Pym had made haste: that 's Bryan, hush—The gallant pointing.Strafford's Followers.—1. Mark these worthies, now!2. A goodly gathering! "Where the carcass isThere shall the eagles"—What 's the rest?3.For eaglesSay crows.A Presbyterian.Stand back, sirs!One of Strafford's Followers.Are we in Geneva?A Presbyterian.No, nor in Ireland; we have leave to breathe.One of Strafford's Followers.Truly? Behold how privileged we beThat serve "King Pym"! There 's Some-one at WhitehallWho skulks obscure; but Pym struts ...The Presbyterian.Nearer.A Follower of Strafford.Higher,We look to see him.[To hisCompanions.]I 'm to have St. JohnIn charge; was he among the knaves just nowThat followed Pym within there?Another.The gaunt manTalking with Rudyard. Did the Earl expectPym at his heels so fast? I like it not.(Maxwellenters.)Another.Why, man, they rush into the net! Here 's Maxwell—Ha, Maxwell? How the brethren flock aroundThe fellow! Do you feel the Earl's hand yetUpon your shoulder, Maxwell?Maxwell.Gentlemen,Stand back! a great thing passes here.A Follower of Strafford.[To another.]The EarlIs at his work![ToM.]Say, Maxwell, what great thing!Speak out![To aPresbyterian.]Friend, I 've a kindness for you! Friend,I 've seen you with St. John: O stockishness!Wear such a ruff, and never call to mindSt. John's head in a charger? How, the plague,Not laugh?Another.Say, Maxwell, what great thing!Another.Nay, wait:The jest will be to wait.First.And who 's to bearThese demure hypocrites? You 'd swear they came ...Came ... just as we come![A Puritan enters hastily and without observingStrafford'sFollowers.The Puritan.How goes on the work?Has Pym ...A Follower of Strafford.The secret 's out at last. Aha,The carrion 's scented! Welcome, crow the first!Gorge merrily, you with the blinking eye!"King Pym has fallen!"The Puritan.Pym?A Strafford.Pym!A Presbyterian.Only Pym?Many of Strafford's Followers.No, brother, not Pym only; Vane as well,Rudyard as well, Hampden, St. John as well!A Presbyterian.My mind misgives: can it be true?Another.Lost! Lost!A Strafford.Say we true, Maxwell?The Puritan.Pride before destruction,A haughty spirit goeth before a fall.Many of Strafford's Followers.Ah now! The very thing! A word in season!A golden apple in a silver pictureTo greet Pym as he passes![The doors at the back begin to open, noise and light issuing.Max.Stand back, all!Many of the Presbyterians.I hold with Pym! And I!Strafford's Followers.Now for the text!He comes! Quick!The Puritan.How hath the oppressor ceased!The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked!The sceptre of the rulers, he who smoteThe people in wrath with a continual stroke,That ruled the nations in his anger—heIs persecuted and none hindereth![The doors open, andStraffordissues in the greatest disorder, and amid cries from within of"Void the House!"Straf.Impeach me! Pym! I never struck, I think,The felon on that calm insulting mouthWhen it proclaimed—Pym's mouth proclaimed me ... God!Was it a word, only a word that heldThe outrageous blood back on my heart—which beats!Which beats! Some one word—"Traitor," did he say,Bending that eye, brimful of bitter fire,Upon me?Max.In the Commons' name, their servantDemands Lord Strafford's sword.Straf.What did you say?Max.The Commons bid me ask your lordship's sword.Straf.Let us go forth: follow me, gentlemen!Draw your swords too: cut any down that bar us.On the King's service! Maxwell, clear the way![The Presbyteriansprepare to dispute his passage.Straf.I stay: the King himself shall see me here.Your tablets, fellow![ToMainwaring.]Give that to the King!Yes, Maxwell, for the next half-hour, let be!Nay, you shall take my sword![Maxwelladvances to take it.Or, no—not that!Their blood, perhaps, may wipe out all thus farAll up to that—not that! Why, friend, you seeWhen the King lays your head beneath my footIt will not pay for that. Go, all of you!Max.I dare, my lord, to disobey: none stir!Straf.This gentle Maxwell!—Do not touch him, Bryan![To thePresbyterians.]Whichever cur of you will carry thisEscapes his fellow's fate. None saves his life?None?[Cries from within of"Strafford!"Slingsby, I 've loved you at least: make haste!Stab me! I have not time to tell you why.You then, my Bryan! Mainwaring, you then!Is it because I spoke so hastilyAt Allerton? The King had vexed me.[To thePresbyterians.]You!—Not even you? If I live over this,The King is sure to have your heads, you know!But what if I can't live this minute through?Pym, who is there with his pursuing smile![Louder cries of"Strafford!"The King! I troubled him, stood in the wayOf his negotiations, was the oneGreat obstacle to peace, the EnemyOf Scotland: and he sent for me, from York,My safety guaranteed—having preparedA Parliament—I see! And at WhitehallThe Queen was whispering with Vane—I seeThe trap![Tearing off the George.I tread a gewgaw underfoot,And cast a memory from me. One stroke, now![His ownAdherentsdisarm him. Renewed cries of"Strafford!"England! I see thy arm in this and yield.Pray you now—Pym awaits me—pray you now![Straffordreaches the doors: they open wide.Hampdenand a crowd discovered, and, at the bar,Pymstanding apart. AsStraffordkneels, the scene shuts.

Many of the Presbyterian Party. The Adherents ofStrafford,etc.

A Group of Presbyterians.—1. I tell you he struckMaxwell: Maxwell soughtTo stay the Earl: he struck him and passed on.

A Group of Presbyterians.—1. I tell you he struckMaxwell: Maxwell sought

To stay the Earl: he struck him and passed on.

2. Fear as you may, keep a good countenanceBefore these rufflers.

2. Fear as you may, keep a good countenance

Before these rufflers.

3.Strafford here the first,With the great army at his back!

3.Strafford here the first,

With the great army at his back!

4.No doubt.I would Pym had made haste: that 's Bryan, hush—The gallant pointing.

4.No doubt.

I would Pym had made haste: that 's Bryan, hush—

The gallant pointing.

Strafford's Followers.—1. Mark these worthies, now!

2. A goodly gathering! "Where the carcass isThere shall the eagles"—What 's the rest?

2. A goodly gathering! "Where the carcass is

There shall the eagles"—What 's the rest?

3.For eaglesSay crows.

3.For eagles

Say crows.

A Presbyterian.Stand back, sirs!

One of Strafford's Followers.Are we in Geneva?

A Presbyterian.No, nor in Ireland; we have leave to breathe.

One of Strafford's Followers.Truly? Behold how privileged we beThat serve "King Pym"! There 's Some-one at WhitehallWho skulks obscure; but Pym struts ...

One of Strafford's Followers.Truly? Behold how privileged we be

That serve "King Pym"! There 's Some-one at Whitehall

Who skulks obscure; but Pym struts ...

The Presbyterian.Nearer.

A Follower of Strafford.Higher,We look to see him.[To hisCompanions.]I 'm to have St. JohnIn charge; was he among the knaves just nowThat followed Pym within there?

A Follower of Strafford.Higher,

We look to see him.[To hisCompanions.]I 'm to have St. John

In charge; was he among the knaves just now

That followed Pym within there?

Another.The gaunt manTalking with Rudyard. Did the Earl expectPym at his heels so fast? I like it not.(Maxwellenters.)

Another.The gaunt man

Talking with Rudyard. Did the Earl expect

Pym at his heels so fast? I like it not.

(Maxwellenters.)

Another.Why, man, they rush into the net! Here 's Maxwell—Ha, Maxwell? How the brethren flock aroundThe fellow! Do you feel the Earl's hand yetUpon your shoulder, Maxwell?

Another.Why, man, they rush into the net! Here 's Maxwell—

Ha, Maxwell? How the brethren flock around

The fellow! Do you feel the Earl's hand yet

Upon your shoulder, Maxwell?

Maxwell.Gentlemen,Stand back! a great thing passes here.

Maxwell.Gentlemen,

Stand back! a great thing passes here.

A Follower of Strafford.[To another.]The EarlIs at his work![ToM.]Say, Maxwell, what great thing!Speak out![To aPresbyterian.]Friend, I 've a kindness for you! Friend,I 've seen you with St. John: O stockishness!Wear such a ruff, and never call to mindSt. John's head in a charger? How, the plague,Not laugh?

A Follower of Strafford.[To another.]The Earl

Is at his work![ToM.]Say, Maxwell, what great thing!

Speak out![To aPresbyterian.]Friend, I 've a kindness for you! Friend,

I 've seen you with St. John: O stockishness!

Wear such a ruff, and never call to mind

St. John's head in a charger? How, the plague,

Not laugh?

Another.Say, Maxwell, what great thing!

Another.Nay, wait:The jest will be to wait.

Another.Nay, wait:

The jest will be to wait.

First.And who 's to bearThese demure hypocrites? You 'd swear they came ...Came ... just as we come![A Puritan enters hastily and without observingStrafford'sFollowers.

First.And who 's to bear

These demure hypocrites? You 'd swear they came ...

Came ... just as we come!

[A Puritan enters hastily and without observingStrafford'sFollowers.

The Puritan.How goes on the work?Has Pym ...

The Puritan.How goes on the work?

Has Pym ...

A Follower of Strafford.The secret 's out at last. Aha,The carrion 's scented! Welcome, crow the first!Gorge merrily, you with the blinking eye!"King Pym has fallen!"

A Follower of Strafford.The secret 's out at last. Aha,

The carrion 's scented! Welcome, crow the first!

Gorge merrily, you with the blinking eye!

"King Pym has fallen!"

The Puritan.Pym?

A Strafford.Pym!

A Presbyterian.Only Pym?

Many of Strafford's Followers.No, brother, not Pym only; Vane as well,Rudyard as well, Hampden, St. John as well!

Many of Strafford's Followers.No, brother, not Pym only; Vane as well,

Rudyard as well, Hampden, St. John as well!

A Presbyterian.My mind misgives: can it be true?

Another.Lost! Lost!

A Strafford.Say we true, Maxwell?

The Puritan.Pride before destruction,A haughty spirit goeth before a fall.

The Puritan.Pride before destruction,

A haughty spirit goeth before a fall.

Many of Strafford's Followers.Ah now! The very thing! A word in season!A golden apple in a silver pictureTo greet Pym as he passes![The doors at the back begin to open, noise and light issuing.

Many of Strafford's Followers.Ah now! The very thing! A word in season!

A golden apple in a silver picture

To greet Pym as he passes!

[The doors at the back begin to open, noise and light issuing.

Max.Stand back, all!

Many of the Presbyterians.I hold with Pym! And I!

Strafford's Followers.Now for the text!He comes! Quick!

Strafford's Followers.Now for the text!

He comes! Quick!

The Puritan.How hath the oppressor ceased!The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked!The sceptre of the rulers, he who smoteThe people in wrath with a continual stroke,That ruled the nations in his anger—heIs persecuted and none hindereth!

The Puritan.How hath the oppressor ceased!

The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked!

The sceptre of the rulers, he who smote

The people in wrath with a continual stroke,

That ruled the nations in his anger—he

Is persecuted and none hindereth!

[The doors open, andStraffordissues in the greatest disorder, and amid cries from within of"Void the House!"

Straf.Impeach me! Pym! I never struck, I think,The felon on that calm insulting mouthWhen it proclaimed—Pym's mouth proclaimed me ... God!Was it a word, only a word that heldThe outrageous blood back on my heart—which beats!Which beats! Some one word—"Traitor," did he say,Bending that eye, brimful of bitter fire,Upon me?

Straf.Impeach me! Pym! I never struck, I think,

The felon on that calm insulting mouth

When it proclaimed—Pym's mouth proclaimed me ... God!

Was it a word, only a word that held

The outrageous blood back on my heart—which beats!

Which beats! Some one word—"Traitor," did he say,

Bending that eye, brimful of bitter fire,

Upon me?

Max.In the Commons' name, their servantDemands Lord Strafford's sword.

Max.In the Commons' name, their servant

Demands Lord Strafford's sword.

Straf.What did you say?

Max.The Commons bid me ask your lordship's sword.

Straf.Let us go forth: follow me, gentlemen!Draw your swords too: cut any down that bar us.On the King's service! Maxwell, clear the way![The Presbyteriansprepare to dispute his passage.Straf.I stay: the King himself shall see me here.Your tablets, fellow![ToMainwaring.]Give that to the King!Yes, Maxwell, for the next half-hour, let be!Nay, you shall take my sword![Maxwelladvances to take it.Or, no—not that!Their blood, perhaps, may wipe out all thus farAll up to that—not that! Why, friend, you seeWhen the King lays your head beneath my footIt will not pay for that. Go, all of you!

Straf.Let us go forth: follow me, gentlemen!

Draw your swords too: cut any down that bar us.

On the King's service! Maxwell, clear the way!

[The Presbyteriansprepare to dispute his passage.

Straf.I stay: the King himself shall see me here.

Your tablets, fellow!

[ToMainwaring.]Give that to the King!

Yes, Maxwell, for the next half-hour, let be!

Nay, you shall take my sword!

[Maxwelladvances to take it.

Or, no—not that!

Their blood, perhaps, may wipe out all thus far

All up to that—not that! Why, friend, you see

When the King lays your head beneath my foot

It will not pay for that. Go, all of you!

Max.I dare, my lord, to disobey: none stir!

Straf.This gentle Maxwell!—Do not touch him, Bryan![To thePresbyterians.]Whichever cur of you will carry thisEscapes his fellow's fate. None saves his life?None?[Cries from within of"Strafford!"Slingsby, I 've loved you at least: make haste!Stab me! I have not time to tell you why.You then, my Bryan! Mainwaring, you then!Is it because I spoke so hastilyAt Allerton? The King had vexed me.[To thePresbyterians.]You!—Not even you? If I live over this,The King is sure to have your heads, you know!But what if I can't live this minute through?Pym, who is there with his pursuing smile![Louder cries of"Strafford!"The King! I troubled him, stood in the wayOf his negotiations, was the oneGreat obstacle to peace, the EnemyOf Scotland: and he sent for me, from York,My safety guaranteed—having preparedA Parliament—I see! And at WhitehallThe Queen was whispering with Vane—I seeThe trap![Tearing off the George.I tread a gewgaw underfoot,And cast a memory from me. One stroke, now![His ownAdherentsdisarm him. Renewed cries of"Strafford!"England! I see thy arm in this and yield.Pray you now—Pym awaits me—pray you now!

Straf.This gentle Maxwell!—Do not touch him, Bryan!

[To thePresbyterians.]Whichever cur of you will carry this

Escapes his fellow's fate. None saves his life?

None?[Cries from within of"Strafford!"

Slingsby, I 've loved you at least: make haste!

Stab me! I have not time to tell you why.

You then, my Bryan! Mainwaring, you then!

Is it because I spoke so hastily

At Allerton? The King had vexed me.

[To thePresbyterians.]You!

—Not even you? If I live over this,

The King is sure to have your heads, you know!

But what if I can't live this minute through?

Pym, who is there with his pursuing smile!

[Louder cries of"Strafford!"

The King! I troubled him, stood in the way

Of his negotiations, was the one

Great obstacle to peace, the Enemy

Of Scotland: and he sent for me, from York,

My safety guaranteed—having prepared

A Parliament—I see! And at Whitehall

The Queen was whispering with Vane—I see

The trap![Tearing off the George.

I tread a gewgaw underfoot,

And cast a memory from me. One stroke, now!

[His ownAdherentsdisarm him. Renewed cries of"Strafford!"

England! I see thy arm in this and yield.

Pray you now—Pym awaits me—pray you now!

[Straffordreaches the doors: they open wide.Hampdenand a crowd discovered, and, at the bar,Pymstanding apart. AsStraffordkneels, the scene shuts.

Scene I.Whitehall.TheKing,theQueen,Hollis, LadyCarlisle. (Vane,Holland,Savile,in the background.)Lady Car.Answer them, Hollis, for his sake! One word!Cha.[ToHollis.]You stand, silent and cold, as though I wereDeceiving you—my friend, my playfellowOf other times. What wonder after all?Just so, I dreamed my People loved me.Hol.Sir,It is yourself that you deceive, not me.You 'll quit me comforted, your mind made upThat, since you 've talked thus much and grieved thus much,All you can do for Strafford has been done.Queen.If you kill Strafford—(come, we grant you leave.Suppose)—Hol.I may withdraw, sir?Lady Car.Hear them out!'T is the last chance for Strafford! Hear them out!Hol."If we kill Strafford"—on the eighteenth dayOf Strafford's trial—"We!"Cha.Pym, my good Hollis—Pym, I should say!Hol.Ah, true—sir, pardon me!You witness our proceedings every day;But the screened gallery, I might have guessed,Admits of such a partial glimpse at us,Pym takes up all the room, shuts out the view.Still, on my honor, sir, the rest of the placeIs not unoccupied. The Commons sit—That 's England; Ireland sends, and Scotland too,Their representatives; the Peers that judgeAre easily distinguished; one remarksThe People here and there: but the close curtainMust hide so much!Queen.Acquaint your insolent crew.This day the curtain shall be dashed aside!It served a purpose.Hol.Think! This very day?Ere Strafford rises to defend himself?Cha.I will defend him, sir!—sanction the pastThis day: it ever was my purpose. RageAt me, not Strafford!Lady Car.Nobly!—will he notDo nobly?Hol.Sir, you will do honestly;And, for that deed, I too would be a king.Cha.Only, to do this now!—"deaf" (in your style)"To subjects' prayers,"—I must oppose them now!It seems their will the trial should proceed,—So palpably their will!Hol.You peril much,But it were no bright moment save for that.Strafford, your prime support, the sole roof-treeWhich props this quaking House of Privilege.(Flood comes, winds beat, and see—the treacherous sand!)Doubtless, if the mere putting forth an armCould save him, you 'd save Strafford.Cha.And they dareConsummate calmly this great wrong! No hope?This ineffaceable wrong! No pity then?Hol.No plague in store for perfidy?—Farewell!You call me, sir—[ToLadyCarlisle.]You, lady, bade me comeTo save the Earl: I came, thank God for it,To learn how far such perfidy can go!You, sir, concert with me on saving himWho have just ruined Strafford!Cha.I?—and how?Hol.Eighteen days long he throws, one after one,Pym's charges back: a blind moth-eaten law!—He 'll break from it at last: and whom to thank?The mouse that gnawed the lion's net for himGot a good friend,—but he, the other mouse,That looked on while the lion freed himself—Fared he so well, does any fable say?Cha.What can you mean?Hol.Pym never could have provedStrafford's design of bringing up the troopsTo force this kingdom to obedience: Vane—Your servant, not our friend, has proved it.Cha.Vane?Hol.This day. Did Vane deliver up or noThose notes which, furnished by his son to Pym,Seal Strafford's fate?Cha.Sir, as I live, I knowNothing that Vane has done! What treason next?I wash my hands of it. Vane, speak the truth!Ask Vane himself!Hol.I will not speak to Vane,Who speak to Pym and Hampden every day.Queen.Speak to Vane's master then! What gain to himWere Strafford's death?Hol.Ha? Strafford cannot turnAs you, sir, sit there—bid you forth, demandIf every hateful act were not set downIn his commission?—whether you contrivedOr no, that all the violence should seemHis work, the gentle ways—your own,—his part,To counteract the King's kind impulses—While ... but you know what he could say! And thenHe might produce—mark, sir!—a certain chargeTo set the King's express command aside,If need were, and be blameless. He might add ...Cha.Enough!Hol.—Who bade him break the Parliament,Find some pretence for setting up sword-law!Queen.Retire!Cha.Once more, whatever Vane dared do,I know not: he is rash, a fool—I knowNothing of Vane!Hol.Well—I believe you. Sir,Believe me, in return, that ...[Turning toLadyCarlisle.]Gentle lady,The few words I would say, the stones might hearSooner than these,—I rather speak to you,You, with the heart! The question, trust me, takesAnother shape, to-day: not, if the KingOr England shall succumb,—but, who shall payThe forfeit, Strafford or his master. Sir,You loved me once: think on my warning now![Goes out.Cha.On you and on your warning both!—Carlisle!That paper!Queen.But consider!Cha.Give it me!There, signed—will that content you? Do not speak!You have betrayed me, Vane! See! any day,According to the tenor of that paper,He bids your brother bring the army up,Strafford shall head it and take full revenge.Seek Strafford! Let him have the same, beforeHe rises to defend himself!Queen.In truth?That your shrewd Hollis should have worked a changeLike this! You, late reluctant ...Cha.Say, Carlisle,Your brother Percy brings the army up,Falls on the Parliament—(I 'll think of you,My Hollis!) say, we plotted long— 't is mine,The scheme is mine, remember! Say, I cursedVane's folly in your hearing! If the EarlDoes rise to do us shame, the fault shall lieWith you, Carlisle!Lady Car.Nay, fear not me! but stillThat 's a bright moment, sir, you throw away.Tear down the veil and save him!Queen.Go, Carlisle!Lady Car.(I shall see Strafford—speak to him: my heartMust never beat so, then! And if I tellThe truth? What 's gained by falsehood? There they standWhose trade it is, whose life it is! How vainTo gild such rottenness! Strafford shall know,Thoroughly know them!)Queen.Trust to me![ToCarlisle.]Carlisle,You seem inclined, alone of all the Court,To serve poor Strafford: this bold plan of yoursMerits much praise, and yet ...Lady Car.Time presses, madam.Queen.Yet—may it not be something premature?Strafford defends himself to-day—reservesSome wondrous effort, one may well suppose!Lady Car.Ay, Hollis hints as much.Cha..Why linger then?Haste with the scheme—my scheme: I shall be thereTo watch his look. Tell him I watch his look!Queen.Stay, we 'll precede you!Lady Car.At your pleasure.Cha.Say—Say, Vane is hardly ever at Whitehall!I shall be there, remember!Lady Car.Doubt me not.Cha.On our return, Carlisle, we wait you here!Lady Car.I 'll bring his answer. Sir, I follow you.(Prove the King faithless, and I take awayAll Strafford cares to live for: let it be—'T is the King's scheme!My Strafford, I can save,Nay, I have saved you, yet am scarce content,Because my poor name will not cross your mind.Strafford, how much I am unworthy you!)

Scene I.Whitehall.

TheKing,theQueen,Hollis, LadyCarlisle. (Vane,Holland,Savile,in the background.)

Lady Car.Answer them, Hollis, for his sake! One word!

Cha.[ToHollis.]You stand, silent and cold, as though I wereDeceiving you—my friend, my playfellowOf other times. What wonder after all?Just so, I dreamed my People loved me.

Cha.[ToHollis.]You stand, silent and cold, as though I were

Deceiving you—my friend, my playfellow

Of other times. What wonder after all?

Just so, I dreamed my People loved me.

Hol.Sir,It is yourself that you deceive, not me.You 'll quit me comforted, your mind made upThat, since you 've talked thus much and grieved thus much,All you can do for Strafford has been done.

Hol.Sir,

It is yourself that you deceive, not me.

You 'll quit me comforted, your mind made up

That, since you 've talked thus much and grieved thus much,

All you can do for Strafford has been done.

Queen.If you kill Strafford—(come, we grant you leave.Suppose)—

Queen.If you kill Strafford—(come, we grant you leave.

Suppose)—

Hol.I may withdraw, sir?

Lady Car.Hear them out!'T is the last chance for Strafford! Hear them out!

Lady Car.Hear them out!

'T is the last chance for Strafford! Hear them out!

Hol."If we kill Strafford"—on the eighteenth dayOf Strafford's trial—"We!"

Hol."If we kill Strafford"—on the eighteenth day

Of Strafford's trial—"We!"

Cha.Pym, my good Hollis—Pym, I should say!

Cha.Pym, my good Hollis—

Pym, I should say!

Hol.Ah, true—sir, pardon me!You witness our proceedings every day;But the screened gallery, I might have guessed,Admits of such a partial glimpse at us,Pym takes up all the room, shuts out the view.Still, on my honor, sir, the rest of the placeIs not unoccupied. The Commons sit—That 's England; Ireland sends, and Scotland too,Their representatives; the Peers that judgeAre easily distinguished; one remarksThe People here and there: but the close curtainMust hide so much!

Hol.Ah, true—sir, pardon me!

You witness our proceedings every day;

But the screened gallery, I might have guessed,

Admits of such a partial glimpse at us,

Pym takes up all the room, shuts out the view.

Still, on my honor, sir, the rest of the place

Is not unoccupied. The Commons sit

—That 's England; Ireland sends, and Scotland too,

Their representatives; the Peers that judge

Are easily distinguished; one remarks

The People here and there: but the close curtain

Must hide so much!

Queen.Acquaint your insolent crew.This day the curtain shall be dashed aside!It served a purpose.

Queen.Acquaint your insolent crew.

This day the curtain shall be dashed aside!

It served a purpose.

Hol.Think! This very day?Ere Strafford rises to defend himself?

Hol.Think! This very day?

Ere Strafford rises to defend himself?

Cha.I will defend him, sir!—sanction the pastThis day: it ever was my purpose. RageAt me, not Strafford!

Cha.I will defend him, sir!—sanction the past

This day: it ever was my purpose. Rage

At me, not Strafford!

Lady Car.Nobly!—will he notDo nobly?

Lady Car.Nobly!—will he not

Do nobly?

Hol.Sir, you will do honestly;And, for that deed, I too would be a king.

Hol.Sir, you will do honestly;

And, for that deed, I too would be a king.

Cha.Only, to do this now!—"deaf" (in your style)"To subjects' prayers,"—I must oppose them now!It seems their will the trial should proceed,—So palpably their will!

Cha.Only, to do this now!—"deaf" (in your style)

"To subjects' prayers,"—I must oppose them now!

It seems their will the trial should proceed,—

So palpably their will!

Hol.You peril much,But it were no bright moment save for that.Strafford, your prime support, the sole roof-treeWhich props this quaking House of Privilege.(Flood comes, winds beat, and see—the treacherous sand!)Doubtless, if the mere putting forth an armCould save him, you 'd save Strafford.

Hol.You peril much,

But it were no bright moment save for that.

Strafford, your prime support, the sole roof-tree

Which props this quaking House of Privilege.

(Flood comes, winds beat, and see—the treacherous sand!)

Doubtless, if the mere putting forth an arm

Could save him, you 'd save Strafford.

Cha.And they dareConsummate calmly this great wrong! No hope?This ineffaceable wrong! No pity then?

Cha.And they dare

Consummate calmly this great wrong! No hope?

This ineffaceable wrong! No pity then?

Hol.No plague in store for perfidy?—Farewell!You call me, sir—[ToLadyCarlisle.]You, lady, bade me comeTo save the Earl: I came, thank God for it,To learn how far such perfidy can go!You, sir, concert with me on saving himWho have just ruined Strafford!

Hol.No plague in store for perfidy?—Farewell!

You call me, sir—[ToLadyCarlisle.]You, lady, bade me come

To save the Earl: I came, thank God for it,

To learn how far such perfidy can go!

You, sir, concert with me on saving him

Who have just ruined Strafford!

Cha.I?—and how?

Hol.Eighteen days long he throws, one after one,Pym's charges back: a blind moth-eaten law!—He 'll break from it at last: and whom to thank?The mouse that gnawed the lion's net for himGot a good friend,—but he, the other mouse,That looked on while the lion freed himself—Fared he so well, does any fable say?

Hol.Eighteen days long he throws, one after one,

Pym's charges back: a blind moth-eaten law!

—He 'll break from it at last: and whom to thank?

The mouse that gnawed the lion's net for him

Got a good friend,—but he, the other mouse,

That looked on while the lion freed himself—

Fared he so well, does any fable say?

Cha.What can you mean?

Hol.Pym never could have provedStrafford's design of bringing up the troopsTo force this kingdom to obedience: Vane—Your servant, not our friend, has proved it.

Hol.Pym never could have proved

Strafford's design of bringing up the troops

To force this kingdom to obedience: Vane—

Your servant, not our friend, has proved it.

Cha.Vane?

Hol.This day. Did Vane deliver up or noThose notes which, furnished by his son to Pym,Seal Strafford's fate?

Hol.This day. Did Vane deliver up or no

Those notes which, furnished by his son to Pym,

Seal Strafford's fate?

Cha.Sir, as I live, I knowNothing that Vane has done! What treason next?I wash my hands of it. Vane, speak the truth!Ask Vane himself!

Cha.Sir, as I live, I know

Nothing that Vane has done! What treason next?

I wash my hands of it. Vane, speak the truth!

Ask Vane himself!

Hol.I will not speak to Vane,Who speak to Pym and Hampden every day.

Hol.I will not speak to Vane,

Who speak to Pym and Hampden every day.

Queen.Speak to Vane's master then! What gain to himWere Strafford's death?

Queen.Speak to Vane's master then! What gain to him

Were Strafford's death?

Hol.Ha? Strafford cannot turnAs you, sir, sit there—bid you forth, demandIf every hateful act were not set downIn his commission?—whether you contrivedOr no, that all the violence should seemHis work, the gentle ways—your own,—his part,To counteract the King's kind impulses—While ... but you know what he could say! And thenHe might produce—mark, sir!—a certain chargeTo set the King's express command aside,If need were, and be blameless. He might add ...

Hol.Ha? Strafford cannot turn

As you, sir, sit there—bid you forth, demand

If every hateful act were not set down

In his commission?—whether you contrived

Or no, that all the violence should seem

His work, the gentle ways—your own,—his part,

To counteract the King's kind impulses—

While ... but you know what he could say! And then

He might produce—mark, sir!—a certain charge

To set the King's express command aside,

If need were, and be blameless. He might add ...

Cha.Enough!

Hol.—Who bade him break the Parliament,Find some pretence for setting up sword-law!

Hol.—Who bade him break the Parliament,

Find some pretence for setting up sword-law!

Queen.Retire!

Cha.Once more, whatever Vane dared do,I know not: he is rash, a fool—I knowNothing of Vane!

Cha.Once more, whatever Vane dared do,

I know not: he is rash, a fool—I know

Nothing of Vane!

Hol.Well—I believe you. Sir,Believe me, in return, that ...[Turning toLadyCarlisle.]Gentle lady,The few words I would say, the stones might hearSooner than these,—I rather speak to you,You, with the heart! The question, trust me, takesAnother shape, to-day: not, if the KingOr England shall succumb,—but, who shall payThe forfeit, Strafford or his master. Sir,You loved me once: think on my warning now![Goes out.

Hol.Well—I believe you. Sir,

Believe me, in return, that ...

[Turning toLadyCarlisle.]Gentle lady,

The few words I would say, the stones might hear

Sooner than these,—I rather speak to you,

You, with the heart! The question, trust me, takes

Another shape, to-day: not, if the King

Or England shall succumb,—but, who shall pay

The forfeit, Strafford or his master. Sir,

You loved me once: think on my warning now!

[Goes out.

Cha.On you and on your warning both!—Carlisle!That paper!

Cha.On you and on your warning both!—Carlisle!

That paper!

Queen.But consider!

Cha.Give it me!There, signed—will that content you? Do not speak!You have betrayed me, Vane! See! any day,According to the tenor of that paper,He bids your brother bring the army up,Strafford shall head it and take full revenge.Seek Strafford! Let him have the same, beforeHe rises to defend himself!

Cha.Give it me!

There, signed—will that content you? Do not speak!

You have betrayed me, Vane! See! any day,

According to the tenor of that paper,

He bids your brother bring the army up,

Strafford shall head it and take full revenge.

Seek Strafford! Let him have the same, before

He rises to defend himself!

Queen.In truth?That your shrewd Hollis should have worked a changeLike this! You, late reluctant ...

Queen.In truth?

That your shrewd Hollis should have worked a change

Like this! You, late reluctant ...

Cha.Say, Carlisle,Your brother Percy brings the army up,Falls on the Parliament—(I 'll think of you,My Hollis!) say, we plotted long— 't is mine,The scheme is mine, remember! Say, I cursedVane's folly in your hearing! If the EarlDoes rise to do us shame, the fault shall lieWith you, Carlisle!

Cha.Say, Carlisle,

Your brother Percy brings the army up,

Falls on the Parliament—(I 'll think of you,

My Hollis!) say, we plotted long— 't is mine,

The scheme is mine, remember! Say, I cursed

Vane's folly in your hearing! If the Earl

Does rise to do us shame, the fault shall lie

With you, Carlisle!

Lady Car.Nay, fear not me! but stillThat 's a bright moment, sir, you throw away.Tear down the veil and save him!

Lady Car.Nay, fear not me! but still

That 's a bright moment, sir, you throw away.

Tear down the veil and save him!

Queen.Go, Carlisle!

Lady Car.(I shall see Strafford—speak to him: my heartMust never beat so, then! And if I tellThe truth? What 's gained by falsehood? There they standWhose trade it is, whose life it is! How vainTo gild such rottenness! Strafford shall know,Thoroughly know them!)

Lady Car.(I shall see Strafford—speak to him: my heart

Must never beat so, then! And if I tell

The truth? What 's gained by falsehood? There they stand

Whose trade it is, whose life it is! How vain

To gild such rottenness! Strafford shall know,

Thoroughly know them!)

Queen.Trust to me![ToCarlisle.]Carlisle,You seem inclined, alone of all the Court,To serve poor Strafford: this bold plan of yoursMerits much praise, and yet ...

Queen.Trust to me![ToCarlisle.]Carlisle,

You seem inclined, alone of all the Court,

To serve poor Strafford: this bold plan of yours

Merits much praise, and yet ...

Lady Car.Time presses, madam.

Queen.Yet—may it not be something premature?Strafford defends himself to-day—reservesSome wondrous effort, one may well suppose!

Queen.Yet—may it not be something premature?

Strafford defends himself to-day—reserves

Some wondrous effort, one may well suppose!

Lady Car.Ay, Hollis hints as much.

Cha..Why linger then?Haste with the scheme—my scheme: I shall be thereTo watch his look. Tell him I watch his look!

Cha..Why linger then?

Haste with the scheme—my scheme: I shall be there

To watch his look. Tell him I watch his look!

Queen.Stay, we 'll precede you!

Lady Car.At your pleasure.

Cha.Say—Say, Vane is hardly ever at Whitehall!I shall be there, remember!

Cha.Say—

Say, Vane is hardly ever at Whitehall!

I shall be there, remember!

Lady Car.Doubt me not.

Cha.On our return, Carlisle, we wait you here!

Lady Car.I 'll bring his answer. Sir, I follow you.(Prove the King faithless, and I take awayAll Strafford cares to live for: let it be—'T is the King's scheme!My Strafford, I can save,Nay, I have saved you, yet am scarce content,Because my poor name will not cross your mind.Strafford, how much I am unworthy you!)

Lady Car.I 'll bring his answer. Sir, I follow you.

(Prove the King faithless, and I take away

All Strafford cares to live for: let it be—

'T is the King's scheme!

My Strafford, I can save,

Nay, I have saved you, yet am scarce content,

Because my poor name will not cross your mind.

Strafford, how much I am unworthy you!)

Scene II.A passage adjoining Westminster Hall.

Many groups ofSpectatorsof the Trial.Officersof the Court, etc.1st Spec.More crowd than ever! Not know Hampden, man?That 's he, by Pym, Pym that is speaking now.No, truly, if you look so high you 'll seeLittle enough of either!2d Spec.Stay: Pym's armPoints like a prophet's rod.3d Spec.Ay, ay, we 've heardSome pretty speaking: yet the Earl escapes.4th Spec.I fear it: just a foolish word or twoAbout his children—and we see, forsooth,Not England's foe in Strafford, but the manWho, sick, half-blind ...2d Spec.What 's that Pym's saying nowWhich makes the curtains flutter? look! A handClutches them. Ah! The King's hand!5th Spec.I had thoughtPym was not near so tall. What said he, friend?2d Spec."Nor is this way a novel way of blood,"And the Earl turns as if to ... Look! look!Many Spectators.There!What ails him? No—he rallies, see—goes on,And Strafford smiles. Strange!An Officer.Haselrig!Many Spectators.Friend? Friend?The Officer.Lost, utterly lost: just when we looked for PymTo make a stand against the ill effectsOf the Earl's speech! Is Haselrig without?Pym's message is to him.3d Spec.Now, said I true?Will the Earl leave them yet at fault or no?1st Spec.Never believe it, man! These notes of Vane'sRuin the Earl.5th Spec.A brave end: not a whitLess firm, less Pym all over. Then, the trialIs closed. No—Strafford means to speak again?An Officer.Stand back, there!5th Spec.Why, the Earl is coming hither!Before the court breaks up! His brother, look,—You 'd say he 'd deprecated some fierce actIn Strafford's mind just now.An Officer.Stand back, I say!2d Spec.Who 's the veiled woman that he talks with?Many Spectators.Hush—The Earl! the Earl![EnterStrafford,Slingsby,and otherSecretaries,Hollis, LadyCarlisle,Maxwell,Balfour,etc.Straffordconverses withLadyCarlisle.Hol.So near the end! Be patient—Return!Straf.[To hisSecretaries.]Here—anywhere—or, 't is freshest here!To spend one's April here, the blossom-month:Set it down here![They arrange a table, papers, etc.So, Pym can quail, can cowerBecause I glance at him, yet more 's to do.What 's to be answered, Slingsby? Let us end![ToLadyCarlisle.]Child, I refuse his offer; whatsoe'erIt be! Too late! Tell me no word of him!'T is something, Hollis, I assure you that—To stand, sick as you are, some eighteen daysFighting for life and fame against a packOf very curs, that lie through thick and thin,Eat flesh and bread by wholesale, and can't say"Strafford" if it would take my life!Lady Car.Be moved!Glance at the paper!Straf.Already at my heels!Pym's faulting bloodhounds scent the track again.Peace, child! Now, Slingsby![MessengersfromLaneand other ofStrafford'sCounselwithin the Hall are coming and going during the Scene.Straf.[setting himself to write and dictate.]I shall beat you, Hollis!Do you know that? In spite of St. John's tricks,In spite of Pym—your Pym who shrank from me!Eliot would have contrived it otherwise.[To aMessenger.]In truth? This slip, tell Lane, contains as muchAs I can call to mind about the matter.Eliot would have disdained ...[Calling after theMessenger.]And Radcliffe, say,The only person who could answer Pym,Is safe in prison, just for that.Well, well!It had not been recorded in that case,I baffled you.[ToLadyCarlisle.]Nay, child, why look so grieved?All 's gained without the King! You saw Pym quail?What shall I do when they acquit me, think you,But tranquilly resume my task as thoughNothing had intervened since I proposedTo call that traitor to account! Such tricks,Trust me, shall not be played a second time,Not even against Laud, with his gray hair—Your good work, Hollis! Peace! To make amends,You, Lucy, shall be here when I impeachPym and his fellows.Hol.Wherefore not protestAgainst our whole proceeding, long ago?Why feel indignant now? Why stand this whileEnduring patiently?Straf.Child, I 'll tell you—You, and not Pym—you, the slight graceful girlTall for a flowering lily, and not Hollis—Why I stood patient! I was fool enoughTo see the will of England in Pym's will;To fear, myself had wronged her, and to waitHer judgment: when, behold, in place of it ...[To aMessengerwho whispers.]Tell Lane to answer no such question! Law,—I grapple with their law! I 'm here to tryMy actions by their standard, not my own!Their law allowed that levy: what 's the restTo Pym, or Lane, any but God and me?Lady Car.The King 's so weak! Secure this chance! 'T was Vane,Never forget, who furnished Pym the notes ...Straf.Fit,—very fit, those precious notes of Vane,To close the Trial worthily! I fearedSome spice of nobleness might linger yetAnd spoil the character of all the past.Vane eased me ... and I will go back and sayAs much—to Pym, to England! Follow me,I have a word to say! There, my defenceIs done!Stay! why be proud? Why care to ownMy gladness, my surprise?—Nay, not surprise!Wherefore insist upon the little prideOf doing all myself, and sparing himThe pain? Child, say the triumph is my King's!When Pym grew pale, and trembled, and sank down,One image was before me: could I fail?Child, care not for the past, so indistinct,Obscure—there 's nothing to forgive in it,'T is so forgotten! From this day beginsA new life, founded on a new beliefIn Charles.Hol.In Charles? Rather believe in Pym!And here he comes in proof! Appeal to Pym!Say how unfair ...Straf.To Pym? I would say nothing!I would not look upon Pym's face again.Lady Car.Stay, let me have to think I pressed your hand![Straffordand hisFriendsgo out.(EnterHampdenandVane.)Vane.O Hampden, save the great misguided man!Plead Strafford's cause with Pym! I have remarkedHe moved no muscle when we all declaimedAgainst him: you had but to breathe—he turnedThose kind calm eyes upon you.[EnterPym,theSolicitor-GeneralSt. John,theManagersof the Trial,Fiennes,Rudyard,etc.Rud.Horrible!Till now all hearts were with you: I withdrawFor one. Too horrible! But we mistakeYour purpose, Pym: you cannot snatch awayThe last spar from the drowning man.Fien.He talksWith St. John of it—see, how quietly![To otherPresbyterians.]You 'll join us? Strafford may deserve the worst:But this new course is monstrous. Vane, take heart!This Bill of his Attainder shall not haveOne true man's hand to it.Vane.Consider, Pym!Confront your Bill, your own Bill: what is it?You cannot catch the Earl on any charge,—No man will say the law has hold of himOn any charge; and therefore you resolveTo take the general sense on his desert,As though no law existed, and we metTo found one. You refer to ParliamentTo speak its thought upon the abortive massOf half-borne-out assertions, dubious hintsHereafter to be cleared, distortions—ay,And wild inventions. Every man is savedThe task of fixing any single chargeOn Strafford: he has but to see in himThe enemy of England.Pym.A right scruple!I have heard some called England's enemyWith less consideration.Vane.Pity me!Indeed you make me think I was your friend!I who have murdered Strafford, how removeThat memory from me?Pym.I absolve you, Vane.Take you no care for aught that you have done!Vane.John Hampden, not this Bill! Reject this Bill!He staggers through the ordeal: let him go,Strew no fresh fire before him! Plead for us!When Strafford spoke, your eyes were thick with tears!Hamp.England speaks louder: who are we, to playThe generous pardoner at her expense,Magnanimously waive advantages,And, if he conquer us, applaud his skill?Vane.He was your friend.Pym.I have heard that before.Fien.And England trusts you.Hamp.Shame be his, who turnsThe opportunity of serving herShe trusts him with, to his own mean account—Who would look nobly frank at her expense!Fien.I never thought it could have come to this.Pym.But I have made myself familiar, Fiennes,With this one thought—have walked, and sat, and slept,This thought before me. I have done such things,Being the chosen man that should destroyThe traitor. You have taken up this thoughtTo play with, for a gentle stimulant,To give a dignity to idler lifeBy the dim prospect of emprise to come,But ever with the softening, sure belief,That all would end some strange way right at last.Fien.Had we made out some weightier charge!Pym.You sayThat these are petty charges: can we comeTo the real charge at all? There he is safeIn tyranny's stronghold. ApostasyIs not a crime, treachery not a crime:The cheek burns, the blood tingles, when you speakThe words, but where 's the power to take revengeUpon them? We must make occasion serve,—The oversight shall pay for the main sinThat mocks us.Rud.But this unexampled course,This Bill!Pym.By this, we roll the clouds awayOf precedent and custom, and at onceBid the great beacon-light God sets in all,The conscience of each bosom, shine uponThe guilt of Strafford: each man lay his handUpon his breast, and judge!Vane.I only seeStrafford, nor pass his corpse for all beyond!Rud. and others.Forgive him! He would join us, now he findsWhat the King counts reward! The pardon, too,Should be your own. Yourself should bear to StraffordThe pardon of the Commons.Pym.Meet him? Strafford?Have we to meet once more, then? Be it so!And yet—the prophecy seemed half fulfilledWhen, at the Trial, as he gazed, my youth,Our friendship, divers thoughts came back at onceAnd left me, for a time ... 'Tis very sad!To-morrow we discuss the points of lawWith Lane—to-morrow?Vane.Not before to-morrow—So, time enough! I knew you would relent!Pym.The next day, Haselrig, you introduceThe Bill of his Attainder. Pray for me!

Many groups ofSpectatorsof the Trial.Officersof the Court, etc.

1st Spec.More crowd than ever! Not know Hampden, man?That 's he, by Pym, Pym that is speaking now.No, truly, if you look so high you 'll seeLittle enough of either!

1st Spec.More crowd than ever! Not know Hampden, man?

That 's he, by Pym, Pym that is speaking now.

No, truly, if you look so high you 'll see

Little enough of either!

2d Spec.Stay: Pym's armPoints like a prophet's rod.

2d Spec.Stay: Pym's arm

Points like a prophet's rod.

3d Spec.Ay, ay, we 've heardSome pretty speaking: yet the Earl escapes.

3d Spec.Ay, ay, we 've heard

Some pretty speaking: yet the Earl escapes.

4th Spec.I fear it: just a foolish word or twoAbout his children—and we see, forsooth,Not England's foe in Strafford, but the manWho, sick, half-blind ...

4th Spec.I fear it: just a foolish word or two

About his children—and we see, forsooth,

Not England's foe in Strafford, but the man

Who, sick, half-blind ...

2d Spec.What 's that Pym's saying nowWhich makes the curtains flutter? look! A handClutches them. Ah! The King's hand!

2d Spec.What 's that Pym's saying now

Which makes the curtains flutter? look! A hand

Clutches them. Ah! The King's hand!

5th Spec.I had thoughtPym was not near so tall. What said he, friend?

5th Spec.I had thought

Pym was not near so tall. What said he, friend?

2d Spec."Nor is this way a novel way of blood,"And the Earl turns as if to ... Look! look!

2d Spec."Nor is this way a novel way of blood,"

And the Earl turns as if to ... Look! look!

Many Spectators.There!What ails him? No—he rallies, see—goes on,And Strafford smiles. Strange!

Many Spectators.There!

What ails him? No—he rallies, see—goes on,

And Strafford smiles. Strange!

An Officer.Haselrig!

Many Spectators.Friend? Friend?

The Officer.Lost, utterly lost: just when we looked for PymTo make a stand against the ill effectsOf the Earl's speech! Is Haselrig without?Pym's message is to him.

The Officer.Lost, utterly lost: just when we looked for Pym

To make a stand against the ill effects

Of the Earl's speech! Is Haselrig without?

Pym's message is to him.

3d Spec.Now, said I true?Will the Earl leave them yet at fault or no?

3d Spec.Now, said I true?

Will the Earl leave them yet at fault or no?

1st Spec.Never believe it, man! These notes of Vane'sRuin the Earl.

1st Spec.Never believe it, man! These notes of Vane's

Ruin the Earl.

5th Spec.A brave end: not a whitLess firm, less Pym all over. Then, the trialIs closed. No—Strafford means to speak again?

5th Spec.A brave end: not a whit

Less firm, less Pym all over. Then, the trial

Is closed. No—Strafford means to speak again?

An Officer.Stand back, there!

5th Spec.Why, the Earl is coming hither!Before the court breaks up! His brother, look,—You 'd say he 'd deprecated some fierce actIn Strafford's mind just now.

5th Spec.Why, the Earl is coming hither!

Before the court breaks up! His brother, look,—

You 'd say he 'd deprecated some fierce act

In Strafford's mind just now.

An Officer.Stand back, I say!

2d Spec.Who 's the veiled woman that he talks with?

Many Spectators.Hush—The Earl! the Earl!

Many Spectators.Hush—

The Earl! the Earl!

[EnterStrafford,Slingsby,and otherSecretaries,Hollis, LadyCarlisle,Maxwell,Balfour,etc.Straffordconverses withLadyCarlisle.

Hol.So near the end! Be patient—Return!

Hol.So near the end! Be patient—

Return!

Straf.[To hisSecretaries.]Here—anywhere—or, 't is freshest here!To spend one's April here, the blossom-month:Set it down here![They arrange a table, papers, etc.So, Pym can quail, can cowerBecause I glance at him, yet more 's to do.What 's to be answered, Slingsby? Let us end![ToLadyCarlisle.]Child, I refuse his offer; whatsoe'erIt be! Too late! Tell me no word of him!'T is something, Hollis, I assure you that—To stand, sick as you are, some eighteen daysFighting for life and fame against a packOf very curs, that lie through thick and thin,Eat flesh and bread by wholesale, and can't say"Strafford" if it would take my life!

Straf.[To hisSecretaries.]Here—anywhere—or, 't is freshest here!

To spend one's April here, the blossom-month:

Set it down here!

[They arrange a table, papers, etc.

So, Pym can quail, can cower

Because I glance at him, yet more 's to do.

What 's to be answered, Slingsby? Let us end!

[ToLadyCarlisle.]Child, I refuse his offer; whatsoe'er

It be! Too late! Tell me no word of him!

'T is something, Hollis, I assure you that—

To stand, sick as you are, some eighteen days

Fighting for life and fame against a pack

Of very curs, that lie through thick and thin,

Eat flesh and bread by wholesale, and can't say

"Strafford" if it would take my life!

Lady Car.Be moved!Glance at the paper!

Lady Car.Be moved!

Glance at the paper!

Straf.Already at my heels!Pym's faulting bloodhounds scent the track again.Peace, child! Now, Slingsby!

Straf.Already at my heels!

Pym's faulting bloodhounds scent the track again.

Peace, child! Now, Slingsby!

[MessengersfromLaneand other ofStrafford'sCounselwithin the Hall are coming and going during the Scene.

Straf.[setting himself to write and dictate.]I shall beat you, Hollis!Do you know that? In spite of St. John's tricks,In spite of Pym—your Pym who shrank from me!Eliot would have contrived it otherwise.[To aMessenger.]In truth? This slip, tell Lane, contains as muchAs I can call to mind about the matter.Eliot would have disdained ...[Calling after theMessenger.]And Radcliffe, say,The only person who could answer Pym,Is safe in prison, just for that.Well, well!It had not been recorded in that case,I baffled you.[ToLadyCarlisle.]Nay, child, why look so grieved?All 's gained without the King! You saw Pym quail?What shall I do when they acquit me, think you,But tranquilly resume my task as thoughNothing had intervened since I proposedTo call that traitor to account! Such tricks,Trust me, shall not be played a second time,Not even against Laud, with his gray hair—Your good work, Hollis! Peace! To make amends,You, Lucy, shall be here when I impeachPym and his fellows.

Straf.[setting himself to write and dictate.]I shall beat you, Hollis!

Do you know that? In spite of St. John's tricks,

In spite of Pym—your Pym who shrank from me!

Eliot would have contrived it otherwise.

[To aMessenger.]In truth? This slip, tell Lane, contains as much

As I can call to mind about the matter.

Eliot would have disdained ...

[Calling after theMessenger.]And Radcliffe, say,

The only person who could answer Pym,

Is safe in prison, just for that.

Well, well!

It had not been recorded in that case,

I baffled you.

[ToLadyCarlisle.]Nay, child, why look so grieved?

All 's gained without the King! You saw Pym quail?

What shall I do when they acquit me, think you,

But tranquilly resume my task as though

Nothing had intervened since I proposed

To call that traitor to account! Such tricks,

Trust me, shall not be played a second time,

Not even against Laud, with his gray hair—

Your good work, Hollis! Peace! To make amends,

You, Lucy, shall be here when I impeach

Pym and his fellows.

Hol.Wherefore not protestAgainst our whole proceeding, long ago?Why feel indignant now? Why stand this whileEnduring patiently?

Hol.Wherefore not protest

Against our whole proceeding, long ago?

Why feel indignant now? Why stand this while

Enduring patiently?

Straf.Child, I 'll tell you—You, and not Pym—you, the slight graceful girlTall for a flowering lily, and not Hollis—Why I stood patient! I was fool enoughTo see the will of England in Pym's will;To fear, myself had wronged her, and to waitHer judgment: when, behold, in place of it ...[To aMessengerwho whispers.]Tell Lane to answer no such question! Law,—I grapple with their law! I 'm here to tryMy actions by their standard, not my own!Their law allowed that levy: what 's the restTo Pym, or Lane, any but God and me?

Straf.Child, I 'll tell you—

You, and not Pym—you, the slight graceful girl

Tall for a flowering lily, and not Hollis—

Why I stood patient! I was fool enough

To see the will of England in Pym's will;

To fear, myself had wronged her, and to wait

Her judgment: when, behold, in place of it ...

[To aMessengerwho whispers.]Tell Lane to answer no such question! Law,—

I grapple with their law! I 'm here to try

My actions by their standard, not my own!

Their law allowed that levy: what 's the rest

To Pym, or Lane, any but God and me?

Lady Car.The King 's so weak! Secure this chance! 'T was Vane,Never forget, who furnished Pym the notes ...

Lady Car.The King 's so weak! Secure this chance! 'T was Vane,

Never forget, who furnished Pym the notes ...

Straf.Fit,—very fit, those precious notes of Vane,To close the Trial worthily! I fearedSome spice of nobleness might linger yetAnd spoil the character of all the past.Vane eased me ... and I will go back and sayAs much—to Pym, to England! Follow me,I have a word to say! There, my defenceIs done!Stay! why be proud? Why care to ownMy gladness, my surprise?—Nay, not surprise!Wherefore insist upon the little prideOf doing all myself, and sparing himThe pain? Child, say the triumph is my King's!When Pym grew pale, and trembled, and sank down,One image was before me: could I fail?Child, care not for the past, so indistinct,Obscure—there 's nothing to forgive in it,'T is so forgotten! From this day beginsA new life, founded on a new beliefIn Charles.

Straf.Fit,—very fit, those precious notes of Vane,

To close the Trial worthily! I feared

Some spice of nobleness might linger yet

And spoil the character of all the past.

Vane eased me ... and I will go back and say

As much—to Pym, to England! Follow me,

I have a word to say! There, my defence

Is done!

Stay! why be proud? Why care to own

My gladness, my surprise?—Nay, not surprise!

Wherefore insist upon the little pride

Of doing all myself, and sparing him

The pain? Child, say the triumph is my King's!

When Pym grew pale, and trembled, and sank down,

One image was before me: could I fail?

Child, care not for the past, so indistinct,

Obscure—there 's nothing to forgive in it,

'T is so forgotten! From this day begins

A new life, founded on a new belief

In Charles.

Hol.In Charles? Rather believe in Pym!And here he comes in proof! Appeal to Pym!Say how unfair ...

Hol.In Charles? Rather believe in Pym!

And here he comes in proof! Appeal to Pym!

Say how unfair ...

Straf.To Pym? I would say nothing!I would not look upon Pym's face again.

Straf.To Pym? I would say nothing!

I would not look upon Pym's face again.

Lady Car.Stay, let me have to think I pressed your hand![Straffordand hisFriendsgo out.

Lady Car.Stay, let me have to think I pressed your hand!

[Straffordand hisFriendsgo out.

(EnterHampdenandVane.)

Vane.O Hampden, save the great misguided man!Plead Strafford's cause with Pym! I have remarkedHe moved no muscle when we all declaimedAgainst him: you had but to breathe—he turnedThose kind calm eyes upon you.

Vane.O Hampden, save the great misguided man!

Plead Strafford's cause with Pym! I have remarked

He moved no muscle when we all declaimed

Against him: you had but to breathe—he turned

Those kind calm eyes upon you.

[EnterPym,theSolicitor-GeneralSt. John,theManagersof the Trial,Fiennes,Rudyard,etc.

Rud.Horrible!Till now all hearts were with you: I withdrawFor one. Too horrible! But we mistakeYour purpose, Pym: you cannot snatch awayThe last spar from the drowning man.

Rud.Horrible!

Till now all hearts were with you: I withdraw

For one. Too horrible! But we mistake

Your purpose, Pym: you cannot snatch away

The last spar from the drowning man.

Fien.He talksWith St. John of it—see, how quietly![To otherPresbyterians.]You 'll join us? Strafford may deserve the worst:But this new course is monstrous. Vane, take heart!This Bill of his Attainder shall not haveOne true man's hand to it.

Fien.He talks

With St. John of it—see, how quietly!

[To otherPresbyterians.]You 'll join us? Strafford may deserve the worst:

But this new course is monstrous. Vane, take heart!

This Bill of his Attainder shall not have

One true man's hand to it.

Vane.Consider, Pym!Confront your Bill, your own Bill: what is it?You cannot catch the Earl on any charge,—No man will say the law has hold of himOn any charge; and therefore you resolveTo take the general sense on his desert,As though no law existed, and we metTo found one. You refer to ParliamentTo speak its thought upon the abortive massOf half-borne-out assertions, dubious hintsHereafter to be cleared, distortions—ay,And wild inventions. Every man is savedThe task of fixing any single chargeOn Strafford: he has but to see in himThe enemy of England.

Vane.Consider, Pym!

Confront your Bill, your own Bill: what is it?

You cannot catch the Earl on any charge,—

No man will say the law has hold of him

On any charge; and therefore you resolve

To take the general sense on his desert,

As though no law existed, and we met

To found one. You refer to Parliament

To speak its thought upon the abortive mass

Of half-borne-out assertions, dubious hints

Hereafter to be cleared, distortions—ay,

And wild inventions. Every man is saved

The task of fixing any single charge

On Strafford: he has but to see in him

The enemy of England.

Pym.A right scruple!I have heard some called England's enemyWith less consideration.

Pym.A right scruple!

I have heard some called England's enemy

With less consideration.

Vane.Pity me!Indeed you make me think I was your friend!I who have murdered Strafford, how removeThat memory from me?

Vane.Pity me!

Indeed you make me think I was your friend!

I who have murdered Strafford, how remove

That memory from me?

Pym.I absolve you, Vane.Take you no care for aught that you have done!

Pym.I absolve you, Vane.

Take you no care for aught that you have done!

Vane.John Hampden, not this Bill! Reject this Bill!He staggers through the ordeal: let him go,Strew no fresh fire before him! Plead for us!When Strafford spoke, your eyes were thick with tears!

Vane.John Hampden, not this Bill! Reject this Bill!

He staggers through the ordeal: let him go,

Strew no fresh fire before him! Plead for us!

When Strafford spoke, your eyes were thick with tears!

Hamp.England speaks louder: who are we, to playThe generous pardoner at her expense,Magnanimously waive advantages,And, if he conquer us, applaud his skill?

Hamp.England speaks louder: who are we, to play

The generous pardoner at her expense,

Magnanimously waive advantages,

And, if he conquer us, applaud his skill?

Vane.He was your friend.

Pym.I have heard that before.

Fien.And England trusts you.

Hamp.Shame be his, who turnsThe opportunity of serving herShe trusts him with, to his own mean account—Who would look nobly frank at her expense!

Hamp.Shame be his, who turns

The opportunity of serving her

She trusts him with, to his own mean account—

Who would look nobly frank at her expense!

Fien.I never thought it could have come to this.

Pym.But I have made myself familiar, Fiennes,With this one thought—have walked, and sat, and slept,This thought before me. I have done such things,Being the chosen man that should destroyThe traitor. You have taken up this thoughtTo play with, for a gentle stimulant,To give a dignity to idler lifeBy the dim prospect of emprise to come,But ever with the softening, sure belief,That all would end some strange way right at last.

Pym.But I have made myself familiar, Fiennes,

With this one thought—have walked, and sat, and slept,

This thought before me. I have done such things,

Being the chosen man that should destroy

The traitor. You have taken up this thought

To play with, for a gentle stimulant,

To give a dignity to idler life

By the dim prospect of emprise to come,

But ever with the softening, sure belief,

That all would end some strange way right at last.

Fien.Had we made out some weightier charge!

Pym.You sayThat these are petty charges: can we comeTo the real charge at all? There he is safeIn tyranny's stronghold. ApostasyIs not a crime, treachery not a crime:The cheek burns, the blood tingles, when you speakThe words, but where 's the power to take revengeUpon them? We must make occasion serve,—The oversight shall pay for the main sinThat mocks us.

Pym.You say

That these are petty charges: can we come

To the real charge at all? There he is safe

In tyranny's stronghold. Apostasy

Is not a crime, treachery not a crime:

The cheek burns, the blood tingles, when you speak

The words, but where 's the power to take revenge

Upon them? We must make occasion serve,—

The oversight shall pay for the main sin

That mocks us.

Rud.But this unexampled course,This Bill!

Rud.But this unexampled course,

This Bill!

Pym.By this, we roll the clouds awayOf precedent and custom, and at onceBid the great beacon-light God sets in all,The conscience of each bosom, shine uponThe guilt of Strafford: each man lay his handUpon his breast, and judge!

Pym.By this, we roll the clouds away

Of precedent and custom, and at once

Bid the great beacon-light God sets in all,

The conscience of each bosom, shine upon

The guilt of Strafford: each man lay his hand

Upon his breast, and judge!

Vane.I only seeStrafford, nor pass his corpse for all beyond!

Vane.I only see

Strafford, nor pass his corpse for all beyond!

Rud. and others.Forgive him! He would join us, now he findsWhat the King counts reward! The pardon, too,Should be your own. Yourself should bear to StraffordThe pardon of the Commons.

Rud. and others.Forgive him! He would join us, now he finds

What the King counts reward! The pardon, too,

Should be your own. Yourself should bear to Strafford

The pardon of the Commons.

Pym.Meet him? Strafford?Have we to meet once more, then? Be it so!And yet—the prophecy seemed half fulfilledWhen, at the Trial, as he gazed, my youth,Our friendship, divers thoughts came back at onceAnd left me, for a time ... 'Tis very sad!To-morrow we discuss the points of lawWith Lane—to-morrow?

Pym.Meet him? Strafford?

Have we to meet once more, then? Be it so!

And yet—the prophecy seemed half fulfilled

When, at the Trial, as he gazed, my youth,

Our friendship, divers thoughts came back at once

And left me, for a time ... 'Tis very sad!

To-morrow we discuss the points of law

With Lane—to-morrow?

Vane.Not before to-morrow—So, time enough! I knew you would relent!

Vane.Not before to-morrow—

So, time enough! I knew you would relent!

Pym.The next day, Haselrig, you introduceThe Bill of his Attainder. Pray for me!

Pym.The next day, Haselrig, you introduce

The Bill of his Attainder. Pray for me!

Scene III.Whitehall.

TheKing.Cha.My loyal servant! To defend himselfThus irresistibly,—withholding aughtThat seemed to implicate us!We have doneLess gallantly by Strafford. Well, the futureMust recompense the past.She tarries long.I understand you, Strafford, now!The scheme—Carlisle 's mad scheme—he 'll sanction it, I fear,For love of me. 'T was too precipitate:Before the army 's fairly on its march,He 'll be at large: no matter.Well, Carlisle?(EnterPym.)Pym.Fear me not, sir:—my mission is to save,This time.Cha.To break thus on me! unannounced!Pym.It is of Strafford I would speak.Cha.No moreOf Strafford! I have heard too much from you.Pym.I spoke, sir, for the People; will you hearA word upon my own account?Cha.Of Strafford?(So turns the tide already? Have we tamedThe insolent brawler?—Strafford's eloquenceIs swift in its effect.) Lord Strafford, sir,Has spoken for himself.Pym.Sufficiently.I would apprise you of the novel courseThe People take: the Trial fails.Cha.Yes, yes:We are aware, sir: for your part in itMeans shall be found to thank you.Pym.Pray you, readThis schedule! I would learn from your own mouth—(It is a matter much concerning me)—Whether, if two Estates of us concedeThe death of Strafford, on the grounds set forthWithin that parchment, you, sir, can resolveTo grant your own consent to it. This BillIs framed by me. If you determine, sir,That England 's manifested will should guideYour judgment, ere another week such willShall manifest itself. If not,—I castAside the measure.Cha.You can hinder, then,The introduction of this Bill?Pym.I can.Cha.He is my friend, sir: I have wronged him: mark you,Had I not wronged him, this might be. You thinkBecause you hate the Earl ... (turn not away,We know you hate him)—no one else could loveStrafford: but he has saved me, some affirm.Think of his pride! And do you know one strange,One frightful thing? We all have used the manAs though a drudge of ours, with not a sourceOf happy thoughts except in us; and yetStrafford has wife and children, household cares,Just as if we had never been. Ah, sir,You are moved, even you, a solitary manWed to your cause—to England if you will!Pym.Yes—think, my soul—to England! Draw not back!Cha.Prevent that Bill, sir! All your course seems fairTill now. Why, in the end, 't is I should signThe warrant for his death! You have said muchI ponder on; I never meant, indeed,Strafford should serve me any more. I takeThe Commons' counsel; but this Bill is yours—Nor worthy of its leader: care not, sir,For that, however! I will quite forgetYou named it to me. You are satisfied?Pym.Listen to me, sir! Eliot laid his hand,Wasted and white, upon my forehead once;Wentworth—he 's gone now!—has talked on, whole nights,And I beside him; Hampden loves me: sir,How can I breathe and not wish England well,And her King well?Cha.I thank you, sir, who leaveThat King his servant. Thanks, sir!Pym.Let me speak!—Who may not speak again; whose spirit yearnsFor a cool night after this weary day:—Who would not have my soul turn sicker yetIn a new task, more fatal, more august,More full of England's utter weal or woe.I thought, sir, could I find myself with you,After this trial, alone, as man to man—I might say something, warn you, pray you, save—Mark me, King Charles, save—you!But God must do it. Yet I warn you, sir—(With Strafford's faded eyes yet full on me)As you would have no deeper question moved—"How long the Many must endure the One,"Assure me, sir, if England give assentTo Strafford's death, you will not interfere!Or—Cha.God forsakes me. I am in a netAnd cannot move. Let all be as you say!(EnterLadyCarlisle.)Lady Car.He loves you—looking beautiful with joyBecause you sent me! he would spare you allThe pain! he never dreamed you would forsakeYour servant in the evil day—nay, seeYour scheme returned! That generous heart of his!He needs it not—or, needing it, disdainsA course that might endanger you—you, sir,Whom Strafford from his inmost soul ...[SeeingPym.]Well met!No fear for Strafford! All that 's true and braveOn your own side shall help us: we are nowStronger than ever.Ha—what, sir, is this?All is not well! What parchment have you there?Pym.Sir, much is saved us both.Lady Car.This Bill! Your lipWhitens—you could not read one line to meYour voice would falter so!Pym.No recreant yet!The great word went from England to my soul,And I arose. The end is very near.Lady Car.I am to save him! All have shrunk beside;'T is only I am left. Heaven will make strongThe hand now as the heart. Then let both die!

TheKing.

Cha.My loyal servant! To defend himselfThus irresistibly,—withholding aughtThat seemed to implicate us!

Cha.My loyal servant! To defend himself

Thus irresistibly,—withholding aught

That seemed to implicate us!

We have doneLess gallantly by Strafford. Well, the futureMust recompense the past.She tarries long.I understand you, Strafford, now!The scheme—Carlisle 's mad scheme—he 'll sanction it, I fear,For love of me. 'T was too precipitate:Before the army 's fairly on its march,He 'll be at large: no matter.Well, Carlisle?

We have done

Less gallantly by Strafford. Well, the future

Must recompense the past.

She tarries long.

I understand you, Strafford, now!

The scheme—

Carlisle 's mad scheme—he 'll sanction it, I fear,

For love of me. 'T was too precipitate:

Before the army 's fairly on its march,

He 'll be at large: no matter.

Well, Carlisle?

(EnterPym.)

Pym.Fear me not, sir:—my mission is to save,This time.

Pym.Fear me not, sir:—my mission is to save,

This time.

Cha.To break thus on me! unannounced!

Pym.It is of Strafford I would speak.

Cha.No moreOf Strafford! I have heard too much from you.

Cha.No more

Of Strafford! I have heard too much from you.

Pym.I spoke, sir, for the People; will you hearA word upon my own account?

Pym.I spoke, sir, for the People; will you hear

A word upon my own account?

Cha.Of Strafford?(So turns the tide already? Have we tamedThe insolent brawler?—Strafford's eloquenceIs swift in its effect.) Lord Strafford, sir,Has spoken for himself.

Cha.Of Strafford?

(So turns the tide already? Have we tamed

The insolent brawler?—Strafford's eloquence

Is swift in its effect.) Lord Strafford, sir,

Has spoken for himself.

Pym.Sufficiently.I would apprise you of the novel courseThe People take: the Trial fails.

Pym.Sufficiently.

I would apprise you of the novel course

The People take: the Trial fails.

Cha.Yes, yes:We are aware, sir: for your part in itMeans shall be found to thank you.

Cha.Yes, yes:

We are aware, sir: for your part in it

Means shall be found to thank you.

Pym.Pray you, readThis schedule! I would learn from your own mouth—(It is a matter much concerning me)—Whether, if two Estates of us concedeThe death of Strafford, on the grounds set forthWithin that parchment, you, sir, can resolveTo grant your own consent to it. This BillIs framed by me. If you determine, sir,That England 's manifested will should guideYour judgment, ere another week such willShall manifest itself. If not,—I castAside the measure.

Pym.Pray you, read

This schedule! I would learn from your own mouth

—(It is a matter much concerning me)—

Whether, if two Estates of us concede

The death of Strafford, on the grounds set forth

Within that parchment, you, sir, can resolve

To grant your own consent to it. This Bill

Is framed by me. If you determine, sir,

That England 's manifested will should guide

Your judgment, ere another week such will

Shall manifest itself. If not,—I cast

Aside the measure.

Cha.You can hinder, then,The introduction of this Bill?

Cha.You can hinder, then,

The introduction of this Bill?

Pym.I can.

Cha.He is my friend, sir: I have wronged him: mark you,Had I not wronged him, this might be. You thinkBecause you hate the Earl ... (turn not away,We know you hate him)—no one else could loveStrafford: but he has saved me, some affirm.Think of his pride! And do you know one strange,One frightful thing? We all have used the manAs though a drudge of ours, with not a sourceOf happy thoughts except in us; and yetStrafford has wife and children, household cares,Just as if we had never been. Ah, sir,You are moved, even you, a solitary manWed to your cause—to England if you will!

Cha.He is my friend, sir: I have wronged him: mark you,

Had I not wronged him, this might be. You think

Because you hate the Earl ... (turn not away,

We know you hate him)—no one else could love

Strafford: but he has saved me, some affirm.

Think of his pride! And do you know one strange,

One frightful thing? We all have used the man

As though a drudge of ours, with not a source

Of happy thoughts except in us; and yet

Strafford has wife and children, household cares,

Just as if we had never been. Ah, sir,

You are moved, even you, a solitary man

Wed to your cause—to England if you will!

Pym.Yes—think, my soul—to England! Draw not back!

Cha.Prevent that Bill, sir! All your course seems fairTill now. Why, in the end, 't is I should signThe warrant for his death! You have said muchI ponder on; I never meant, indeed,Strafford should serve me any more. I takeThe Commons' counsel; but this Bill is yours—Nor worthy of its leader: care not, sir,For that, however! I will quite forgetYou named it to me. You are satisfied?

Cha.Prevent that Bill, sir! All your course seems fair

Till now. Why, in the end, 't is I should sign

The warrant for his death! You have said much

I ponder on; I never meant, indeed,

Strafford should serve me any more. I take

The Commons' counsel; but this Bill is yours—

Nor worthy of its leader: care not, sir,

For that, however! I will quite forget

You named it to me. You are satisfied?

Pym.Listen to me, sir! Eliot laid his hand,Wasted and white, upon my forehead once;Wentworth—he 's gone now!—has talked on, whole nights,And I beside him; Hampden loves me: sir,How can I breathe and not wish England well,And her King well?

Pym.Listen to me, sir! Eliot laid his hand,

Wasted and white, upon my forehead once;

Wentworth—he 's gone now!—has talked on, whole nights,

And I beside him; Hampden loves me: sir,

How can I breathe and not wish England well,

And her King well?

Cha.I thank you, sir, who leaveThat King his servant. Thanks, sir!

Cha.I thank you, sir, who leave

That King his servant. Thanks, sir!

Pym.Let me speak!—Who may not speak again; whose spirit yearnsFor a cool night after this weary day:—Who would not have my soul turn sicker yetIn a new task, more fatal, more august,More full of England's utter weal or woe.I thought, sir, could I find myself with you,After this trial, alone, as man to man—I might say something, warn you, pray you, save—Mark me, King Charles, save—you!But God must do it. Yet I warn you, sir—(With Strafford's faded eyes yet full on me)As you would have no deeper question moved—"How long the Many must endure the One,"Assure me, sir, if England give assentTo Strafford's death, you will not interfere!Or—

Pym.Let me speak!

—Who may not speak again; whose spirit yearns

For a cool night after this weary day:

—Who would not have my soul turn sicker yet

In a new task, more fatal, more august,

More full of England's utter weal or woe.

I thought, sir, could I find myself with you,

After this trial, alone, as man to man—

I might say something, warn you, pray you, save—

Mark me, King Charles, save—you!

But God must do it. Yet I warn you, sir—

(With Strafford's faded eyes yet full on me)

As you would have no deeper question moved

—"How long the Many must endure the One,"

Assure me, sir, if England give assent

To Strafford's death, you will not interfere!

Or—

Cha.God forsakes me. I am in a netAnd cannot move. Let all be as you say!

Cha.God forsakes me. I am in a net

And cannot move. Let all be as you say!

(EnterLadyCarlisle.)

Lady Car.He loves you—looking beautiful with joyBecause you sent me! he would spare you allThe pain! he never dreamed you would forsakeYour servant in the evil day—nay, seeYour scheme returned! That generous heart of his!He needs it not—or, needing it, disdainsA course that might endanger you—you, sir,Whom Strafford from his inmost soul ...[SeeingPym.]Well met!No fear for Strafford! All that 's true and braveOn your own side shall help us: we are nowStronger than ever.

Lady Car.He loves you—looking beautiful with joy

Because you sent me! he would spare you all

The pain! he never dreamed you would forsake

Your servant in the evil day—nay, see

Your scheme returned! That generous heart of his!

He needs it not—or, needing it, disdains

A course that might endanger you—you, sir,

Whom Strafford from his inmost soul ...

[SeeingPym.]Well met!

No fear for Strafford! All that 's true and brave

On your own side shall help us: we are now

Stronger than ever.

Ha—what, sir, is this?All is not well! What parchment have you there?

Ha—what, sir, is this?

All is not well! What parchment have you there?

Pym.Sir, much is saved us both.

Lady Car.This Bill! Your lipWhitens—you could not read one line to meYour voice would falter so!

Lady Car.This Bill! Your lip

Whitens—you could not read one line to me

Your voice would falter so!

Pym.No recreant yet!The great word went from England to my soul,And I arose. The end is very near.

Pym.No recreant yet!

The great word went from England to my soul,

And I arose. The end is very near.

Lady Car.I am to save him! All have shrunk beside;'T is only I am left. Heaven will make strongThe hand now as the heart. Then let both die!

Lady Car.I am to save him! All have shrunk beside;

'T is only I am left. Heaven will make strong

The hand now as the heart. Then let both die!

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