Robert Browning

Name: Strafford — Act II
Author: Robert Browning

Summary

“Strafford — Act II”, published in 1837, is a work by Robert Browning. It explores elements such as Strafford, Lest Nature and Charles.

Quotes from Strafford — Act II (Robert Browning)

Robert Browning, Strafford — Act II (1837)

“ Why do you smile?
STRAFFORD.
I got to fear them, girl!
I could have torn his throat at first, that Vane,
As he leered at me on his stealthy way
To the Queen's closet, Lucy—but of late
I often found it in my heart to say
"Vane—don't traduce me to her!"
CARLISLE.
But the King . . .
STRAFFORD.
The King stood there, 'tis not so long ago,
—There, and the whisper, Lucy, "Be my friend
Of friends!"—My King! I would have . . .
CARLISLE.
. . . Died for him?
STRAFFORD.
. . Sworn him true, Lucy: I will die for him.
CARLISLE.
(Aside.) ”

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Source: Wikisource

Robert Browning, Strafford — Act II (1837)

“ Have you no eyes except for Pym? Look here!
A breed of silken creatures lurk and thrive
In your contempt; you'll vanquish Pym? Friend, Vane
Can vanquish you! And Vane you think to fly?—
Rush on the Scots! Do nobly! Vane's slight sneer
Shall test success—adjust the praise—suggest
The faint result: Vane's sneer shall reach you there!
—You do not listen!
STRAFFORD.
Oh . . I give that up—
There's fate in it—I give all here quite up.
Care not what Vane does or what Holland does
Against me! 'Tis so idle to withstand them—
In no case tell me what they do!
CARLISLE.
But Strafford. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Robert Browning, Strafford — Act II (1837)

“ You will not step between the raging People
And me, to say . . .
I knew you! from the first
I knew you! Never was so cold a heart!
Remember that I said it—that I never
Believed you for a moment!
—And, you loved me?
You thought your perfidy profoundly hid
Because I could not share your whisperings
With Vane? With Savile? But your hideous heart—
I had your heart to see, Charles! Oh, to have
A heart of stone—of smooth, cold, frightful stone!
Ay, call them! Shall I call for you? The Scots
Goaded to madness? Or the English—Pym—
Shall I call Pym, your subject? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Robert Browning, Strafford — Act II (1837)

“ His heart abidingly on Charles!
(To STRAFFORD.) Dear friend
I shall not see you any more!
STRAFFORD.
Yes, girl—
There's one man here that I shall meet!
CARLISLE.
(Aside.) The King!—
What way to save him from the King?
My soul . .
That lent from its own store the charmed disguise
That clothes the King . . he shall behold my soul!
(To STRAFFORD.) Strafford . . . (I shall speak best if you'll not gaze
Upon me.) . . . You would perish, too! So sure! . . . ”

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Source: Wikisource

Robert Browning, Strafford — Act II (1837)

“ Till now! Strafford is wholly ours.
MANY VOICES.
'Tis sure?
PYM.
Most sure—for Charles dissolves the Parliament
While I speak here! . . . (Great emotion in the assembly.)
. . And I must speak, friends, now!
Strafford is ours! The King detects the change,
Casts Strafford off for ever, and resumes
His ancient path: no Parliament for us—
No Strafford for the King!
Come all of you
To bid the King farewell, predict success
To his Scots expedition, and receive
Strafford, our comrade now! The next will be
Indeed a Parliament!
VANE.
Forgive me, Pym! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Robert Browning, Strafford — Act II (1837)

“ VANE (starting up) .
Now, Hampden,
Clear me! I would have leave to sleep again!
I'd look the People in the face again!
Clear me from having, from the first, hoped, dreamed
Better of Strafford! Fool!
HAMPDEN.
You'll grow one day
A steadfast light to England, Vane!
RUDYARD.
Ay, Fiennes,
Strafford revived our Parliaments: before,
War was but talked of; there's an army, now:
Still, we've a Parliament. Poor Ireland bears
Another wrench (she dies the hardest death!)
Why . . . speak of it in Parliament! and, lo,
'Tis spoken!—and console yourselves.
FIENNES.
The jest! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Robert Browning, Strafford — Act II (1837)

“ We, England, are no party to our shame,—
Our day will come!" Congratulate with me!
(PYM enters.)
VANE.
Pym, Strafford called this Parliament, 'tis like—
But we'll not have our Parliaments like those
In Ireland, Pym!
RUDYARD.
Let him stand forth, that Strafford!
One doubtful act hides far too many sins;
It can be stretched no more—and, to my mind,
Begins to drop from those it covers.
OTHER VOICES.
Pym,
Let him avow himself! No fitter time!
We wait thus long for you!
RUDYARD.
Perhaps, too long! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Robert Browning, Strafford — Act II (1837)

“ Could you but know what 'tis to bear, my Strafford,
One Image stamped within you, turning blank
The else imperial brilliance of your mind,—
A weakness, but most precious,—like a flaw
I' the diamond which should shape forth some sweet face
Yet to create, and meanwhile treasured there
Lest Nature lose her gracious thought for ever! . . .
STRAFFORD.
When could it be? . . . no! . . yet . . was it the day
We waited in the anteroom, till Holland
Should leave the presence-chamber?
CARLISLE.
What? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Robert Browning, Strafford — Act II (1837)

“ The privilege of laying on ourselves
A sorer burthen than the King dares lay!
RUDYARD.
Mark now: we meet at length: complaints pour in
From every county: all the land cries out
On loans and levies, curses ship-money,
Calls vengeance on the Star-chamber: we lend
An ear: "ay, lend them all the ears you have,"
Puts in the King ”

Robert Browning

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Quotes from Strafford — Act II (Robert Browning)

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