Browning's England Part 20

_One of Strafford's Followers._ Truly? Behold how privileged we be That serve "King Pym"! There's Some-one at Whitehall Who skulks obscure; but Pym struts....

_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.

_MAXWELL enters._

_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 pa.s.ses 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+._] Friend, I've a kindness for you!

Friend, 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? How, the plague, Not laugh?

_Another._ Say, Maxwell, what great thing!

_Another._ Nay, wait: The jest will be to wait.

_First._ And who's to bear These demure 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 Strafford._ Pym!

_A Presbyterian._ Only Pym?

_Many of Strafford's Followers._ No, brother, not Pym only; Vane as well, Rudyard as well, Hampden, St. John as well!

_A Presbyterian._ My mind misgives: can it be true?

_Another._ Lost! Lost!

_A 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 pa.s.ses!

[_The doors at the back begin to open, noise and light issuing._

_Maxwell._ Stand back, all!

_Many of the Presbyterians._ I hold with Pym! And I!

_Strafford's Followers._ Now for the text!

He comes! Quick!

_The Puritan._ 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 hindreth!

[_The doors open, and STRAFFORD issues in the greatest disorder, and amid cries from within of "+Void the House+!"_

_Strafford._ Impeach me! Pym! I never struck, I think, The felon on that calm insulting mouth When it proclaimed--Pym's mouth proclaimed me ... G.o.d!

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._ 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._ 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 pa.s.sage._

_Strafford._ I stay: the King himself shall see me here.

Your tablets, fellow!

[_To MAINWARING._] Give that to the King!

Yes, Maxwell, for the next half-hour, let be!

Nay, you shall take my sword!

[_MAXWELL advances to take it._

Or, 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 your head beneath my foot It will not pay for that. Go, all of you!

_Maxwell._ I dare, my lord, to disobey: none stir!

_Strafford._ This gentle Maxwell!--Do not touch him, Bryan!