Browning's England Part 24

_Hollis._ You cannot sure forget A prison-roof is o'er you, Strafford?

_Strafford._ No, Why, no. I would not touch on that, the first.

I left you that. Well, Hollis? Say at once, The King can find no time to set me free!

A mask at Theobald's?

_Hollis._ Hold: no such affair Detains him.

_Strafford._ True: what needs so great a matter?

The Queen's lip may be sore. Well: when he pleases,-- Only, I want the air: it vexes flesh To be pent up so long.

_Hollis._ The King--I bear His message, Strafford: pray you, let me speak!

_Strafford._ Go, William! Anne, try o'er your song again!

[_The +Children+ retire._

They shall be loyal, friend, at all events.

I know your message: you have nothing new To tell me: from the first I guessed as much.

I know, instead of coming here himself, Leading me forth in public by the hand, The King prefers to leave the door ajar As though I were escaping--bids me trudge While the mob gapes upon some show prepared On the other side of the river! Give at once His order of release! I've heard, as well Of certain poor manoeuvres to avoid The granting pardon at his proper risk; First, he must prattle somewhat to the Lords, Must talk a trifle with the Commons first, Be grieved I should abuse his confidence, And far from blaming them, and.... Where's the order?

_Hollis._ Spare me!

_Strafford._ Why, he'd not have me steal away?

With an old doublet and a steeple hat Like Prynne's? Be smuggled into France, perhaps?

Hollis, 'tis for my children! 'Twas for them I first consented to stand day by day And give your Puritans the best of words, Be patient, speak when called upon, observe Their rules, and not return them prompt their lie!

What's in that boy of mine that he should prove Son to a prison-breaker? I shall stay And he'll stay with me. Charles should know as much, He too has children!

[_Turning to HOLLIS'S +Companion+._] Sir, you feel for me!

No need to hide that face! Though it have looked Upon me from the judgment-seat ... I know Strangely, that somewhere it has looked on me, ...

Your coming has my pardon, nay, my thanks: For there is one who comes not.

_Hollis._ Whom forgive, As one to die!

_Strafford._ True, all die, and all need Forgiveness: I forgive him from my soul.

_Hollis._ 'Tis a world's wonder: Strafford, you must die!

_Strafford._ Sir, if your errand is to set me free This heartless jest mars much. Ha! Tears in truth?

We'll end this! See this paper, warm--feel--warm With lying next my heart! Whose hand is there?

Whose promise? Read, and loud for G.o.d to hear!

"Strafford shall take no hurt"--read it, I say!

"In person, honor, nor estate"--

_Hollis._ The King....

_Strafford._ I could unking him by a breath! You sit Where Loudon sat, who came to prophesy The certain end, and offer me Pym's grace If I'd renounce the King: and I stood firm On the King's faith. The King who lives....

_Hollis._ To sign The warrant for your death.

_Strafford._ "Put not your trust In princes, neither in the sons of men, In whom is no salvation!"

_Hollis._ Trust in G.o.d!

The scaffold is prepared: they wait for you: He has consented. Cast the earth behind!

_Charles._ You would not see me, Strafford, at your foot!

It was wrung from me! Only, curse me not!

_Hollis_ [_to STRAFFORD_]. As you hope grace and pardon in your need, Be merciful to this most wretched man.

[_Voices from within._

_Verso la sera Di Primavera_

_Strafford._ You'll be good to those children, sir? I know You'll not believe her, even should the Queen Think they take after one they rarely saw.

I had intended that my son should live A stranger to these matters: but you are So utterly deprived of friends! He too Must serve you--will you not be good to him?

Or, stay, sir, do not promise--do not swear!

You, Hollis--do the best you can for me!

I've not a soul to trust to: Wandesford's dead, And you've got Radcliffe safe, Laud's turn comes next: I've found small time of late for my affairs, But I trust any of you, Pym himself-- No one could hurt them: there's an infant, too.

These tedious cares! Your Majesty could spare them.

Nay--pardon me, my King! I had forgotten Your education, trials, much temptation, Some weakness: there escaped a peevish word-- 'Tis gone: I bless you at the last. You know All's between you and me: what has the world To do with it? Farewell!

_Charles_ [_at the door_]. Balfour! Balfour!

_Enter BALFOUR._

The Parliament!--go to them: I grant all Demands. Their sittings shall be permanent: Tell them to keep their money if they will: I'll come to them for every coat I wear And every crust I eat: only I choose To pardon Strafford. As the Queen shall choose!

--You never heard the People howl for blood, Beside!

_Balfour._ Your Majesty may hear them now: The walls can hardly keep their murmurs out: Please you retire!

_Charles._ Take all the troops, Balfour!

_Balfour._ There are some hundred thousand of the crowd.

_Charles._ Come with me, Strafford! You'll not fear, at least!

_Strafford._ Balfour, say nothing to the world of this!

I charge you, as a dying man, forget You gazed upon this agony of one ...

Of one ... or if ... why you may say, Balfour, The King was sorry: 'tis no shame in him: Yes, you may say he even wept, Balfour, And that I walked the lighter to the block Because of it. I shall walk lightly, sir!

Earth fades, heaven breaks on me: I shall stand next Before G.o.d's throne: the moment's close at hand When man the first, last time, has leave to lay His whole heart bare before its Maker, leave To clear up the long error of a life And choose one happiness for evermore.

With all mortality about me, Charles, The sudden wreck, the dregs of violent death-- What if, despite the opening angel-song, There penetrate one prayer for you? Be saved Through me! Bear witness, no one could prevent My death! Lead on! ere he awake--best, now!

All must be ready: did you say, Balfour, The crowd began to murmur? They'll be kept Too late for sermon at St. Antholin's!

Now! But tread softly--children are at play In the next room. Precede! I follow--

_Enter +Lady+ CARLISLE with many +Attendants+._

_Lady Carlisle._ Me!

Follow me, Strafford, and be saved! The King?

[_To the KING._] Well--as you ordered, they are ranged without, The convoy.... [_seeing the KING'S state._]