Robert Browning

“ Hereafter to be cleared—distortions—aye,
And wild inventions. Every man is saved
The task of fixing any single charge
On Strafford: he has but to see in him
The Enemy of England . . .
PYM.
A right scruple!
I have heard some called England's Enemy
With less consideration.
VANE.
Pity me!
Me—brought so low—who hoped to do so much
For England—her true servant—Pym, your friend . . .
Indeed you made me think I was your friend!
But I have murdered Strafford . . I have been
The instrument of this! who shall remove
That memory from me?
PYM.
I absolve you, Vane! ”

“ Because you hate the Earl . . . (turn not away—
We know you hate him) —no one else could love
Strafford . . . but he has saved me—many times—
Think what he has endured . . proud too . . you feel
What he endured!—And, do you know one strange,
One frightful thing? We all have used that man
As though he had been ours . . with not a source
Of happy thoughts except in us . . and yet
Strafford has children, and a home as well,
Just as if we had never been! . . Ah Sir,
You are moved—you—a solitary man
Wed to your cause—to England if you will!
PYM.
Yes . ”

“ Wasted and white, upon my forehead once;
Wentworth . . . he's gone now! . . has talked on, whole nights,
And I beside him; Hampden loves me; Sire,
How can I breathe and not wish England well—
And her King well? ”

“ Strafford shall head it and take full revenge!
Seek Strafford! Let him have it, look, before
He rises to defend himself!
QUEEN.
In truth?
Clever of Hollis, now, to work a change
Like this! You were reluctant . . .
CHARLES.
Say, Carlisle
Your brother Percy brings the Army up—
Falls on the Parliament—— (I'll think of you
My Hollis!) —say we plotted long . . . 'tis mine,
The scheme is mine, remember! Say I cursed
Vane's folly in your hearing! If that man
Does rise to do us shame, the fault shall lie
With you, Carlisle!
CARLISLE.
Nay, fear not me! ”