Robert Browning

“ Vane has no father . . .
VANE.
Pym should have no friend!
Stand you firm, Pym! Eliot's gone, Wentworth's lost,
We have but you, and stand you very firm!
Truth is eternal, come below what will,
But . . I know not . . if you should fail . . O God! ”

“ Does the King take such measures for himself?
Beside, there's such a dearth of malcontents,
You say?
CARLISLE.
I said but few dared carp at you . . .
WENTWORTH.
At me? at us, Carlisle! The King and I!
He's surely not disposed to let me bear
Away the fame from him of these late deeds
In Ireland? I am yet his instrument
Be it for well or ill?
He trusts me then?
CARLISLE.
The King, dear Wentworth, purposes, I know
To grant you, in the face of all the Court . . .
WENTWORTH.
All the Court! ”

“ Witness, you!
But inasmuch as life is hard to take
From England . . .
MANY VOICES.
Go on, Vane! 'Tis well said, Vane!
VANE.
. . . Who has not so forgotten Runnymead . . .
VOICES.
'Tis well and bravely spoken, Vane! Go on!
VANE.
. . There are some little signs of late she knows
The ground no place for her! no place for her!
When the King beckons—and beside him stands
The same bad man once more, with the same smile,
And the same savage gesture! Now let England
Make proof of us.
VOICES.
Strike him—the Renegade—
Haman—Ahithophel—
HAMPDEN.
(To the Scots.) ”

“ Savile and Holland, Hamilton and Vane
About us,—then the King will grant me. . . . Lady,
Will the King leave these—leave all these—and say
"Tell me your whole mind, Wentworth!"
CARLISLE.
But you said
You would be calm.
WENTWORTH.
Lucy, and I am calm!
How else shall I do all I come to do,
—Broken, as you may see, body and mind—
How shall I serve the King? time wastes meanwhile,
You have not told me half . . . His footstep! No.
—But now, before I meet him,— (I am calm) —
Why does the King distrust me?
CARLISLE.
He does not
Distrust you.
WENTWORTH.
Lucy, you can help me . ”

“ The war's expence?
CHARLES.
He'd not decide on that
Until you joined us.
WENTWORTH.
Most considerate!
You're certain they intrigue with France, these Scots?
(Aside.) The People would be with us!
CHARLES.
Very sure.
WENTWORTH.
(The People for us . . were the People for us!)
Sire, a great thought comes to reward your trust!
Summon a parliament! in Ireland first,
And then in England.
CHARLES.
Madness!
WENTWORTH.
(Aside.) That puts off
The war—gives time to learn their grievances—
To talk with Pym— (To CHARLES) . I know the faction, as
They style it, . .
CHARLES.
. ”

“ Will you have Pym or Vane?
VOICES.
Wait Pym's arrival! Pym shall speak!
HAMPDEN.
Meanwhile
Let Loudon read the Parliament's report
From Edinburgh: our last hope, as Vane says,
Is in the stand it makes. Loudon!
VANE.
(As LOUDON is about to read) —No—no—
Silent I can be: not indifferent!
HAMPDEN.
Then each keep silence, praying God a space
That he will not cast England quite away
In this her visitation! (All assume a posture of reverence.)
A PURITAN.
Seven years long
The Midianite drove Israel into dens
And caves.
Till God sent forth a mighty man,
(PYM enters.) ”

“ Hampden so long—come—and there's Vane—I know
You'll love young Vane! This is the proudest day!
(The KING enters. WENTWORTH lets fall PYM'S hand.)
CHARLES.
Arrived, my Lord?—This Gentleman, we know,
Was your old friend:
(To PYM) The Scots shall be informed
What we determine for their happiness. (Exit PYM.)
You have made haste, my Lord.
WENTWORTH.
Sire . . . I am come . . .
CHARLES.
To aid us with your counsel: this Scots' League
And Covenant spreads too far, and we have proofs
That they intrigue with France: the Faction, too . . .
WENTWORTH.
(Kneels.) ”

“ They do not think your Irish Government
Of that surpassing value . . .
WENTWORTH.
The one thing
Of value! The one service that the crown
May count on! All that keeps these very things
In power, to vex me . . ”