 | Strafford |  |
Scene I.
—Whitehall.Hollis, Lady Carlisle.
Hollis.
Tell the King then! Come in with me!
Lady Carlisle.
Not so!
He must not hear till it succeeds.
Hollis.
Succeed?
No dream was half so vain—you'd rescue Strafford
And outwit Pym! I cannot tell you . . . lady,
The block pursues me, and the hideous show.
To-day . . . is it to-day? And all the while
He's sure of the King's pardon. Think, I have
To tell this man he is to die. The King
May rend his hair, for me! I'll not see Strafford!
Lady Carlisle.
Only, if I succeed, remember—Charles
Has saved him. He would hardly value life
Unless his gift. My staunch friends wait. Go in—
You must go in to Charles!
289
And all beside
Left Strafford long ago. The King has signed
The warrant for his death! the Queen was sick
Of the eternal subject. For the Court,—
The Trial was amusing in its way,
Only too much of it: the Earl withdrew
In time. But you, fragile, alone, so young
Amid rude mercenaries—you devise
A plan to save him! Even though it fails,
What shall reward you?
Lady Carlisle.
I may go, you think,
To France with him? And you reward me, friend,
Who lived with Strafford even from his youth
Before he set his heart on state-affairs
And they bent down that noble brow of his.
I have learned somewhat of his latter life,
And all the future I shall know: but, Hollis,
I ought to make his youth my own as well.
Tell me,—when he is saved!
Hollis.
My gentle friend,
He should know all and love you, but't is vain!
Lady Carlisle.
Love? no—too late now! Let him love the King!
'T is the King's scheme! I have your word, remember!
We'll keep the old delusion up. But, quick!
Quick! Each of us has work to do, beside!
290
Say nothing of my scheme! Hush, while we speak
Think where he is! Now for my gallant friends!
Hollis.
Where he is? Calling wildly upon Charles,
Guessing his fate, pacing the prison-floor.
Let the King tell him! I'll not look on Strafford.
| Strafford | |