She tarries long.
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he scheme--Carlisle 's mad scheme--he 'll sanction it, I fear,For love of me. 'T was too precipitate:Before the army 's fairly on its march,He 'll be at large: no matter. Well, Carlisle? (_Enter_ PYM.) _Pym._ Fear me not, sir:--my mission is to save,This time. _Cha._ To break thus on me! unannounced! _Pym._ It is of Strafford I would speak. _Cha._ No moreOf Strafford! I have heard too much from you. _Pym._ I spoke, sir, for the People; will you hearA word upon my own account? _Cha._ Of Strafford?(So turns the tide already? Have we tamedThe insolent brawler?--Strafford's eloquenceIs swift in its effect.) Lord Strafford, sir,Has spoken for himself. _Pym._ Sufficiently.I would apprise you of the novel courseThe People take: the Trial fails. _Cha._ Yes, yes:We are aware, sir: for your part in itMeans shall be found to thank you. _Pym._ Pray you, readThis schedule! I would learn from your own mouth--(It is a matter much concerning me)--Whether, if two Estates of us concedeThe death of Strafford, on the grounds set forthWithin that parchment, you, sir, can resolveTo grant your own consent to it. This BillIs framed by me. If you determine, sir,That England 's manifested will should guideYour judgment, ere another week such willShall manifest itself. If not,--I castAside the measure. _Cha._ You can hinder, then,The introduction of this Bill? _Pym._ I can. _Cha._ He is my friend, sir: I have wronged him: mark you,Had I not wronged him, this might be. You thinkBecause you hate the Earl ... (turn not away,We know you hate him)--no one else could loveStrafford: but he has saved me, some affirm.Think of his pride! And do you know one strange,One frightful thing? We all have used the manAs though a drudge of ours, with not a sourceOf happy thoughts except in us; and yetStrafford has wife and children, household cares,Just as if we had never been. Ah, sir,You are moved, even you, a solitary manWed to your cause--to England if you will! _Pym._ Yes--think, my soul--to England! Draw not back! _Cha._ Prevent that Bill, sir! All your course seems fairTill now. Why, in the end, 't is I should signThe warrant for his death! You have said muchI ponder on; I never meant, indeed,Strafford should serve me any more. I takeThe Commons' counsel; but this Bill is yours--Nor worthy of its leader: care not, sir,For that, however! I will quite forgetYou named it to me. You are satisfied? _Pym._ Listen to me, sir! Eliot laid his hand,Wasted and white, upon my forehead once;Wentworth--he 's gone now!--has talked on, whole nights,And I beside him; Hampden loves me: sir,How can I breathe and not wish England well,And her King well? _Cha._ I thank you, sir, who leaveThat King his servant. Thanks, sir! _Pym._ Let me speak!--Who may not speak again; whose spirit yearnsFor a cool night after this weary day:--Who would not have my soul turn sicker yetIn a new task, more fatal, more august,More full of England's utter weal or woe.I thought, sir, could I find myself with you,After this trial, alone, as man to man--I might say something, warn you, pray you, save--Mark me, King Charles, save--you!But God must do it. Yet I warn you, sir--(With Strafford's faded eyes yet full on me)As you would have no deeper question moved--"How long the Many must endure the One,"Assure me, sir, if England give assentTo Strafford's death, you will not interfere!Or-- _Cha._ God forsakes me. I am in a netAnd cannot move. Let all be as you say! (_Enter_ Lady CARLISLE.) _Lady Car._ He loves you--looking beautiful with joyBecause you sent me! he would spare you allThe pain! he never dreamed you would forsakeYour servant in the evil day--nay, seeYour scheme returned! That generous heart of his!He needs it not--or, needing it, disdainsA course that might endanger you--you, sir,Whom Strafford from his inmost soul ... [_Seeing_ PYM.] Well met!No fear for Strafford! All that 's true and braveOn your own side shall help us: we are nowStronger than ever. Ha--what, sir, is this?All is not well! What parchment have you there? _Pym._ Sir, much is saved us both. _Lady Car._ This Bill! Your lipWhitens--you could not read one line to meYour voice would falter so! _Pym._ No recreant yet!The great word went from England to my soul,And I arose. The end is very near. _Lady Car._ I am to save him! All have shrunk beside;'T is only I am left. Heaven will make strongThe hand now as the heart. Then let both die! * * * * *
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