ACT IV

Scene I. Whitehall. The King, the Queen, Hollis, Lady Carlisle. (Vane, Holland, Savile, in the background.) Lady Car. Answer them, Hollis, for his sake! One word! Cha. [To Hollis.] 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 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)— 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 day Of 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 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. Hol. Think! This very day? Ere Strafford rises to defend himself? 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 not Do 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-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 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— [To Lady Carlisle.] 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 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 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 no Those notes which, furnished by his son to Pym, Seal Strafford's fate? 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. Queen. Speak to Vane's master then! What gain to him Were Strafford's death? 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! Queen. Retire! 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 to Lady Carlisle.] 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! 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, before He rises to defend himself! 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 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 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 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! [To Carlisle.] 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—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 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! 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 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!)

Many groups of Spectators of the Trial. Officers of 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 see Little enough of either! 2d Spec. Stay: Pym's arm Points like a prophet's rod. 3d Spec. Ay, ay, we 've heard Some pretty speaking: yet the Earl escapes. 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 now Which makes the curtains flutter? look! A hand Clutches them. Ah! The King's hand! 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! 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 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? 1st Spec. Never believe it, man! These notes of Vane's Ruin the Earl. 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 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! [Enter Strafford, Slingsby, and other Secretaries, Hollis, Lady Carlisle, Maxwell, Balfour, etc. Strafford converses with Lady Carlisle. Hol. So near the end! Be patient— Return! Straf. [To his Secretaries.] 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! [To Lady Carlisle.] 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! Straf. Already at my heels! Pym's faulting bloodhounds scent the track again. Peace, child! Now, Slingsby! [Messengers from Lane and other of Strafford's Counsel within 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 a Messenger.] In truth? This slip, tell Lane, contains as much As I can call to mind about the matter. Eliot would have disdained ... [Calling after the Messenger.] 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. [To Lady Carlisle.] 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 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 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 a Messenger who 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 ... 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 ... 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! [Strafford and his Friends go out. (Enter Hampden and Vane.) 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. [Enter Pym, the Solicitor-General St. John, the Managers of the Trial, Fiennes, Rudyard, etc. 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 talks With St. John of it—see, how quietly! [To other Presbyterians.] 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 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 enemy With less consideration. 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! 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 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 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 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 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! 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 see Strafford, nor pass his corpse for all beyond! 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 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! Pym. The next day, Haselrig, you introduce The Bill of his Attainder. Pray for me!

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!