Browning's England Part 18

_Queen._ Lucy, he will not come!

_Lady Carlisle._ Once more, the King Has sent for Strafford. He will come.

_Vane._ Oh 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.

_Lady 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 t'is clear, While Strafford suffers nothing by the matter, The King may reap advantage: this in question, No dinning you with ship-money complaints!

_Queen_ [_to +Lady+ CARLISLE_]. If we dissolve them, who will pay the army?

Protect us from the insolent Scots?

_Lady 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 his old friend Pym.

_Queen._ Why, he shall claim Vengeance on Pym!

_Vane._ And Strafford, who is he To 'scape unscathed amid the accidents That hara.s.s 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!

_STRAFFORD enters._

_Queen._ You here!

_Strafford._ The King sends for me, madam.

_Queen._ Sir, The King....

_Strafford._ An urgent matter that imports the King!

[_To +Lady+ CARLISLE._] Why, Lucy, what's in agitation now, That all this muttering and shrugging, see, Begins at me? They do not speak!

_Lady Carlisle._ 'Tis welcome!

For we are proud of you--happy and proud To have you with us, Strafford! You were staunch At Durham: you did well there! Had you not Been stayed, you might have ... we said, even now, Our hope's in you!

_Vane_ [_to +Lady+ CARLISLE_]. The Queen would speak with you.

_Strafford._ Will one of you, his servants here, 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! (They half divine My purpose!) 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 +Lady+ 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._ Time fleeting, too!

[_To +Lady+ CARLISLE._] No means of getting them away? And She-- What does she whisper? Does she know my purpose?

What does she think of it? Get them away!

_Queen_ [_to +Lady+ 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, Lucy--you, self-possessed And calm! [_To STRAFFORD._] To spare your lordship some delay I will myself acquaint the King. [_To +Lady+ CARLISLE._] Beware!

[_The QUEEN, VANE, HOLLAND, and SAVILE go out._

_Strafford._ She knows it?

_Lady Carlisle._ Tell me, Strafford!

_Strafford._ Afterward!

This moment's the great moment of all time.

She knows my purpose?

_Lady Carlisle._ Thoroughly: just now She bade me hide it from you.

_Strafford._ Quick, dear child, The whole o' the scheme?

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

_Strafford._ Known and approved?

_Lady Carlisle._ Hardly discountenanced.

_Strafford._ And the King--say, the King consents as well?

_Lady 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, child, 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!

_Lady Carlisle._ (What can he mean?

Rejoice at the King's hollowness?)