Strafford (Browning)/Act III

Scene I
OPPOSITE WESTMINSTER HALL.

SIR HENRY VANE, LORD SAVILE, LORD HOLLAND, and others of the Court.

VANE.

The Commons thrust you out?

SAVILE.

And what kept you From sharing their civility?

VANE.

Kept me? Fresh news from Scotland, sir! worse than the last If that may be! all's up with Strafford there! Nothing's to bar the mad Scots marching hither The next fine morning! That detained me, sir! Well now, before they thrust you out, go on, Their speaker. . . did the fellow Lenthall say All we set down for him?

HOLLAND.

Not a word missed! Ere he began, we entered, Savile, I And Bristol and some more, in hopes to breed A wholesome awe in the new Parliament—— But such a gang of graceless ruffians, Vane! They glared at us. . ..

VANE.

So many?

SAVILE.

Not a bench Without its complement of burley knaves— Your son, there, Vane, among them—Hampden leant Upon his shoulder—think of that!

VANE.

I'd think On Lenthall's speech, if I could get at it. . . He said, I hope, how grateful they should be For this unlooked-for summons from the King?

HOLLAND.

Just as we drilled him. ..

VANE.

That the Scots will march On London?

HOLLAND.

All, and made so much of it A dozen subsidies at least seemed sure To follow, when. ..

VANE.

Well?

HOLLAND.

'Tis a strange thing now! I've a vague memory of a sort of sound— A voice—a kind of vast, unnatural voice— Pym, Sir, was speaking! Savile, help me out,— What was it all?

SAVILE.

Something about "a matter". . . No. . "a work for England."

BRISTOL.

"England's great revenge" He talked of.

SAVILE.

How should I be used to Pym More than yourselves?

HOLLAND.

However that may be, 'Twas something with which we had nought to do, For we were "strangers" and 'twas "England's work"— (All this while looking us straight in the face) In other words, our presence might be spared: So, in the twinkling of an eye, before I settled to my mind what ugly brute Was likest Pym just then, they yelled us out, Locked the doors after us, and here are we!

VANE.

Old Eliot's method. ..

SAVILE.

Ah, now, Vane, a truce To Eliot and his times, and the great Duke, And how to manage Parliaments! 'Twas you Advised the Queen to summon this—why Strafford To do him justice would not hear of it!

VANE.

Say, rather, you have done the best of turns To Strafford—he's at York—we all know why! I would you had not set the Scots on Strafford Till he had put down Pym for us, my lord!

SAVILE.

I? did I alter Strafford's plans? did I. ..

(Enter a MESSENGER.)

MESSENGER.

The Queen, my lords. . she sends me. . follow me At once. . 'tis very urgent. . she would have Your counsel. . something perilous and strange Occasions her command.

SAVILE.

We follow, friend! Now Vane. . your Parliament will plague us all!

VANE.

No Strafford here beside!

SAVILE.

If you dare hint I had a hand in his betrayal, Sir. ..

HOLLAND.

Nay find a fitter time for quarrels—Pym Will overmatch the best of you; and, think, The Queen!

VANE.

Come on then (as they go out.). . . understand, I loathe Strafford as much as any—but he serves So well to keep off Pym—to screen us all! I would we had reserved him yet awhile! (Exeunt.)

Scene II
WHITEHALL.

The QUEEN and CARLISLE.

QUEEN.

It cannot be!

CARLISLE.

It is so.

QUEEN.

Why the House Have hardly met!

CARLISLE.

They met for that.

QUEEN.

No—no— Meet to impeach Lord Strafford! 'Tis a jest!

CARLISLE.

A bitter one.

QUEEN.

Consider! 'Tis the House We summoned so reluctantly—which nothing But the disastrous issue of the war Persuaded us to summon; they'll wreak all Their spite on us, no doubt; but the old way Is to begin by talk of grievances! They have their grievances to busy them!

CARLISLE.

Pym has begun his speech.

QUEEN.

Where's Vane? . . That is Pym will impeach Lord Strafford if he leaves His Presidency—he's at York, you know, Since the Scots beat him—why should he leave York?

CARLISLE.

Because the King sends for him.

QUEEN.

Ah. . . but if The King did send for him, he let him know We had been forced to call a Parliament— A step which Strafford, now I come to think, Was vehement against. ..

CARLISLE.

The policy Escaped him of first striking Parliaments To earth, then setting them upon their feet And giving them a sword: but this is idle! —Did the King send for Strafford? He will come.

QUEEN.

And what am I to do?

CARLISLE.

What do? Fail, Madam! Be ruined for his sake! what matters how So it but stand on record that you made An effort—only one?

QUEEN.

The King's away At Theobald's.

CARLISLE.

Send for him at once—he must Dissolve the House.

QUEEN.

Wait till Vane finds the truth Of the report—then. .

CARLISLE.

. . it will matter little What the king does. Strafford that serves you all— That's fighting for you now!

(Enter SIR H. VANE.)

VANE.

The Commons, Madam, Are sitting with closed doors—a huge debate— No lack of noise—but nothing, I should guess, Concerning Strafford: Pym has certainly Not spoken yet.

QUEEN.

(To CARLISLE.) You hear?

CARLISLE.

I do not hear That the King's sent for!

VANE.

Savile will be able To tell you more.

(Enter HOLLAND.)

QUEEN.

The last news, Holland?

HOLLAND.

Pym Is raving like a fiend! The whole House means To follow him together to Whitehall And force the King to give up Strafford.

QUEEN.

Strafford?

HOLLAND.

If they content themselves with Strafford! Laud Is talked of, Cottington and Windebank too, Pym has not left out one of them. . I would You heard Pym raving!

QUEEN.

Vane, find out the King! Tell the king, Vane, the People follow Pym To brave us at Whitehall!

(Enter SAVILE.)

SAVILE.

Not to Whitehall— 'Tis to the Lords they go—they'll seek redress On Strafford from his peers—the legal way, They call it. ..

QUEEN.

(Wait, Vane!)

SAVILE.

. . But the adage gives Long life to threatened men! Strafford can save Himself so readily: at York, remember, In his own county, what has he to fear? The Commons only mean to frighten him From leaving York.

QUEEN.

Surely he will not come! Carlisle, he will not come!

CARLISLE.

Once more, the King Has sent for Strafford—He will come.

VANE.

O doubtless; And bring destruction with him; that's his way. What but his coming spoilt all Conway's plan? The King must take his counsel, choose his friends, Be wholly ruled by him! What's the result? The North that was to rise—Ireland to help— What came of it? In my poor mind a fright Is no prodigious punishment.

CARLISLE.

A fright? Pym will fail worse than Strafford if he thinks To frighten him. (To the QUEEN.) You will not save him, then?

SAVILE.

When something like a charge is made, the King Will best know how to save him: and 'tis clear That, while he suffers nothing by the matter, The King will reap advantage: this in question, No dinning you with ship-money complaints!

QUEEN (To CARLISLE).

If we dissolve them, who will pay the army? Protect us from the insolent Scots?

CARLISLE.

In truth I know not, Madam: Strafford's fate concerns Me little: you desired to learn what course Would save him: I obey you.

VANE.

Notice, too, There can't be fairer ground for taking full Revenge—(Strafford's revengeful)—than he'll have Against this very Pym.

QUEEN.

Why, he shall claim Vengeance on Pym!

VANE.

And Strafford, who is he To 'scape unscathed amid the accidents That harass all beside? I, for my part, Should look for something of discomfiture Had the King trusted me so thoroughly And been so paid for it.

HOLLAND.

He'll keep at York: All will blow over: he'll return no worse— Humbled a little—thankful for a place Under as good a man—Oh, we'll dispense With seeing Strafford for a month or two!

(Enter STRAFFORD.)

QUEEN.

You here!

STRAFFORD.

The King sends for me, Madam.

QUEEN.

Sir. . . The King. ..

STRAFFORD.

An urgent matter that imports the King. . . (To CARLISLE.) Why, Lucy, what's in agitation now That all this muttering and shrugging, see, Begins at me? They do not speak!

CARLISLE.

Oh welcome! . . And we are proud of you. . . all very proud To have you with us, Strafford. . you were brave At Durham. . You did well there. . Had you not Been stayed you might have. . . . we said, even now, Our last, last hope's in you!

VANE.

(To CARLISLE.) The Queen would speak A word with you!

STRAFFORD.

(To VANE.)      Will one of you vouchsafe To signify my presence to the King?

SAVILE.

An urgent matter?

STRAFFORD.

None that touches you Lord Savile! Say it were some treacherous, Sly, pitiful intriguing with the Scots— You would go free, at least! (Aside.) They half divine My purpose! (To the QUEEN.) Madam, shall I see the King? The service I would render much concerns His welfare.

QUEEN.

But his Majesty, my lord, May not be here, may. ..

STRAFFORD.

Its importance, then, Must plead excuse for this withdrawal, Madam— And for the grief it gives Lord Savile here.

QUEEN.

(Who has been conversing with VANE and HOLLAND.)

The King will see you, Sir. (To CARLISLE.)           Mark me: Pym's worst Is done by now—he has impeached the Earl, Or found the Earl too strong for him, by now; Let us not seem instructed! We should work No good to Strafford, but deform ourselves With shame in the world's eye! (To STRAFFORD.) His Majesty Has much to say with you.

STRAFFORD.

(Aside.) Time fleeting, too! (To CARLISLE.) No means of getting them away, Carlisle? What does she whisper? Does she know my purpose? What does she think of it? Get them away!

QUEEN.

(To CARLISLE.) He comes to baffle Pym—he thinks the danger Far off—tell him no word of it—a time For help will come—we'll not be wanting, then! Keep him in play, Carlisle—you, self-possessed And calm! (To STRAFFORD.) To spare your Lordship some delay I will myself acquaint the King. (To CARLISLE.) Beware! (Exeunt QUEEN, VANE, HOLLAND and SAVILE.)

STRAFFORD.

She knows it?

CARLISLE.

Tell me, Strafford. . ..

STRAFFORD.

Afterward! The moment's the great moment of all time! She knows my purpose?

CARLISLE.

Thoroughly—just now She bade me hide it from you.

STRAFFORD.

Quick, dear girl. . The whole grand scheme?

CARLISLE.

(Aside.) Ah, he would learn if they Connive at Pym's procedure! Could they but Have once apprized the King! But there's no time For falsehood, now. (To STRAFFORD.) Strafford, the whole is known.

STRAFFORD.

Known and approved?

CARLISLE.

Hardly discountenanced.

STRAFFORD.

And the king—say the king consents as well!

CARLISLE.

The king's not yet informed, but will not dare To interpose.

STRAFFORD.

What need to wait him, then? He'll sanction it! I stayed, girl tell him, long! It vexed me to the soul—this waiting here— You know him—there's no counting on the king! Tell him I waited long!

CARLISLE.

(Aside.) What can he mean? Rejoice at the king's hollowness?

STRAFFORD.

I knew They would be glad of it,—all over once, I knew they would be glad. . . but he'd contrive, The Queen and he, to mar, by helping it, An angel's making!

CARLISLE.

(Aside.) Is he mad? (To STRAFFORD.) Dear Strafford, You were not wont to look so happy.

STRAFFORD.

Girl, I tried obedience thoroughly: I took The king's wild plan. . . of course, ere I could reach My army—Conway ruined it: I drew The wrecks together, raised all heaven and earth, And would have fought the Scots—the King at once Made truce with them: then, Lucy, then, dear girl, God put it my mind to love, serve, die For Charles—but never to obey him more! While he endured their insolence at Rippon I fell on them at Durham! . . . But you'll tell The king I waited? All the anteroom Is filled with my adherents.

CARLISLE.

Strafford—Strafford What daring act is this you hint?

STRAFFORD.

No—No! 'Tis here—not daring if you knew!—all here! (Drawing papers from his breast.) Full proof—see—ample proof—does the Queen know I have such damning proof? Bedford and Essex, Broke, Warwick, Savile (did you notice Savile? The simper that I spoilt?) Say, Mandeville— Sold to the Scots, body and soul, by Pym!

CARLISLE.

Great heaven!

STRAFFORD.

From Savile and his lords, to Pym— I crush them, girl—Pym shall not ward the blow Nor Savile crawl aside from it! The Court And the Cabal—I crush them!

CARLISLE.

And you go. . . Strafford,—and now you go? . ..

STRAFFORD.

About no work In the back-ground, I promise you! I go Straight to the House of Lords to claim these men. Mainwaring!

CARLISLE.

Stay—stay, Strafford!

STRAFFORD.

She'll return— The Queen—some little project of her own— No time to lose—the King takes fright perhaps—

CARLISLE.

Pym's strong, remember!

STRAFFORD.

Very strong—as fits The Faction's Head. . with no offence to Hampden, Vane, Rudyard and my loving Hollis—one And all they lodge within the Tower to-night In just equality. Bryan! Mainwaring! (Many of his Adherents enter.) The Peers debate just now (a lucky chance) On the Scots war—my visit's opportune: When all is over, Bryan, you'll proceed To Ireland: these despatches, mark me, Bryan, Are for the Deputy, and these for Ormond— We'll want the Army here—my Army, raised At such a cost, that should have done such good, And was inactive all the time! no matter— We'll find a use for it. Willis. . . no—You! You, friend, make haste to York—bear this, at once. . . Or,—better stay for form's sake—see yourself The news you carry. You remain with me To execute the Parliament's command, Mainwaring—help to seize the lesser knaves: Take care there's no escaping at backdoors! To not have one escape—mind me—not one! I seem revengeful, Lucy? Did you know What these men dare!

CARLISLE.

It is so much they dare!

STRAFFORD.

I proved that long ago; my turn is now! Keep sharp watch, Goring, on the citizens; Observe who harbours any of the brood That scramble off: be sure they smart for it! Our coffers are but lean. And you, girl, too, Shall have your task—deliver this to Laud— Laud will not be the slowest in my praise! "Thorough" he'll say! —Foolish, to be so glad! This sort of life is vivid, after all! 'Tis worth while, Lucy, having foes like mine For the dear bliss of crushing them! To-day Is worth the living for!

CARLISLE.

That reddening brow! You seem. ..

STRAFFORD.

Well—do I not? I would be well— I could not but be well on such a day! And, this day ended, 'tis of slight import How long the ravaged frame subjects the soul In Strafford!

CARLISLE.

Noble Strafford!

STRAFFORD.

No farewell! I'll see you, girl, to-morrow—the first thing! —If she should come to stay me!

CARLISLE.

Go—'tis nothing— Only my heart that swells—it has been thus Ere now—go, Strafford!

STRAFFORD.

To-night, then, let it be! I must see Him. . . I'll see you after Him. . I'll tell you how Pym looked. Follow me, friends! You, gentlemen, shall see a sight this hour To talk of all your lives. Close after me! "My friend of friends!" (Exeunt STRAFFORD, &c.)

CARLISLE.

The King—ever the King! No thought of one beside, whose little word Unveils the King to him—one word from me— Which yet I do not breathe! Ah, have I spared Strafford a pang, and shall I seek reward Beyond that memory? Surely too, some way He is the better for my love. . . No, no He would not look so joyous—I'll believe His very eye would never sparkle thus, Had I not prayed for him this long, long while! (Exit.)

Scene III
THE ANTECHAMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

''Many of the Presbyterian Party. The Adherents of'' STRAFFORD, &c.

A Group of PRESBYTERIANS.

1. I tell you he struck Maxwell—Maxwell sought To stay the Earl: he struck him and passed on.

2. Fear as you may, keep a good countenance Before these ruffians!

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 fellow pointing.

STRAFFORD'S Followers.

1.                    Mark these worthies, now!

2. A goodly gathering! "Where the carcass is    There shall the eagles". . what's the rest?

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.

Really? Behold how grand a thing it is To serve "King Pym"! There's some one at Whitehall That lives obscure, but Pym lives. ..

The PRESBYTERIAN.

Nearer!

A Follower of STRAFFORD.

Higher We look to see him! (To his Companions.) I'm to have St. John In charge; was he among the knaves just now That followed Pym within there?

Another.

The gaunt man Talking with Rudyard. Did the Earl expect Pym at his heels so fast? I like it not. (Enter 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.

A Follower of STRAFFORD.

(To another.)                        The Earl Is at his work! (To M.) Say, Maxwell, what great thing! Speak out! (To a PRESBYTERIAN.) Friends, I've a kindness for you! Friends, 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? What—the plague— Not laugh?

Another.

Say Maxwell, what it is!

Another.

Hush—wait— The jest will be to wait—

First.

And who's to bear These quiet hypocrites? You'd swear they came. . . Came. . . just as we come!

(A Puritan enters hastily and without observing STRAFFORD'S Followers.)

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 Follower of STRAFFORD.

Pym!

A PRESBYTERIAN.

Only Pym?

Many of STRAFFORD'S Followers.

No, brother—not Pym only—Vane as well— Rudyard as well—Hampden—Saint John as well—

A PRESBYTERIAN.

My mind misgives. . can it be true?

Another.

Lost! Lost!

A Follower of 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 picture To greet Pym as he passes!

(The folding-doors at the back begin to open, noise and light issuing.)

MAXWELL.

Stand back, all!

Many of the PRESBYTERIANS.

I'll die with Pym! And I!

STRAFFORD'S Followers.

Now for the text— He comes! Quick!

The PURITAN.

(With uplifted arms.) 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!

(At the beginning of this speech, the doors open, and STRAFFORD in the greatest disorder, and amid cries from within of "Void the House," staggers out. When he reaches the front of the Stage, silence.)

STRAFFORD.

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?

MAXWELL.

(Advancing.) In the Commons' name, their servant Demands Lord Strafford's sword.

STRAFFORD.

What did you say?

MAXWELL.

The Commons bid me ask your Lordship's sword.

STRAFFORD (suddenly recovering, and looking round, draws it, and turns to his followers).

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 PRESBYTERIANS prepare to dispute his passage.)

STRAFFORD.

Ha—true! . . . That is, you mistake me, utterly— I will stay—the King himself shall see me—here— Here—I will stay, Mainwaring!—First of all, (To MAXWELL.) Your tablets, fellow! (He writes on them.) (To MAINWARING.)               Give that to the King! Yes, Maxwell, for the next half-hour, I will. . . I will remain your prisoner, I will! Nay, you shall take my sword! (MAXWELL advances to take it.) No—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 his head beneath my foot It will not pay for that! Go, all of you!

MAXWELL.

I grieve, my lord, to disobey: none stir.

STRAFFORD.

This gentle Maxwell!—Do not touch him, Bryan! (To the PRESBYTERIAN.) Whichever cur of you will carry this I'll save him from the fate of all the rest— I'll have him made a Peer—I'll. . . none will go? None?

(Cries from within of "STRAFFORD.") (To his FOLLOWERS.) Slingsby, I've loved you at least—my friend, Stab me! I have not time to tell you why. . . You then, dear Bryan! You Mainwaring, then! . . . Ah, that's because I spoke so hastily At Allerton—the King had vexed me. . .           (To the PRESBYTERIANS.)    You Miscreants—you then—that I'll exterminate! —Not even you? If I live over it The King is sure to have your heads—you know I'm not afraid of that—you understand That if I chose to wait—made up my mind To live this minute—he would do me right! But what if I can't live this minute through? If nothing can repay that minute? Pym With his pursuing smile—Pym to be there! (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! I curse the King! I wish Pym well! Wish all his brave friends well! Say, all along Strafford was with them—all along, at heart, I hated Charles and wished them well! And say (tearing off the George and dashing it down) That as I tread this gew-gaw under foot, I cast his memory from me! One stroke, now!

(His own adherents disarm him. Renewed cries of "STRAFFORD.")

I'll not go. . . they shall drag me by the hair! (Changing suddenly to calm.) England! I see her arm in this! I yield. Why—'tis the fairest triumph! Why desire To cheat them? I would never stoop to that—— Be mean enough for that! Let all have end! Don't repine, Slingsby. . have they not a right? They claim me—hearken—lead me to them, Bryan! No—I myself should offer up myself. Pray you now. . . Pym awaits me. . . pray you now!

(Putting aside those who attempt to support him, STRAFFORD reaches the doors—they open wide. HAMPDEN, &c. and a crowd discovered; and at the bar, PYM standing apart. As STRAFFORD kneels the scene shuts.)