SCENE III. _Whitehall.

_The_ KING.

_Cha._ My loyal servant! To defend himself Thus irresistibly,--withholding aught That seemed to implicate us!

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?

(_Enter_ PYM.)

_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 more Of Strafford! I have heard too much from you.

_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 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 course The People take: the Trial fails.

_Cha._ Yes, yes: We are aware, sir: for your part in it Means shall be found to thank you.

_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?

_Pym._ I can.

_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 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?

_Cha._ I thank you, sir, who leave That King his servant. Thanks, sir!

_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 net And cannot move. Let all be as you say!

(_Enter_ Lady CARLISLE.)

_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 ...

[_Seeing_ PYM.] 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?

_Pym._ Sir, much is saved us both.

_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.

_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!

* * * * *