_One of Strafford"s Followers._ Truly? Behold how privileged we be That serve "King Pym"! There"s Some-one at Whitehall Who skulks obscure; but Pym struts....
_The Presbyterian._ Nearer.
_A Follower of Strafford._ Higher, We look to see him. [_To his +Companions+._] I"m to have St. John In charge; was he among the knaves just now That followed Pym within there?
_Another._ The gaunt man Talking with Rudyard. Did the Earl expect Pym at his heels so fast? I like it not.
_MAXWELL enters._
_Another._ Why, man, they rush into the net! Here"s Maxwell-- Ha, Maxwell? How the brethren flock around The fellow! Do you feel the Earl"s hand yet Upon your shoulder, Maxwell?
_Maxwell._ Gentlemen, Stand back! a great thing pa.s.ses here.
_A Follower of Strafford_ [_To another_]. The Earl Is at his work! [_To +M.+_] Say, Maxwell, what great thing!
Speak out! [_To a +Presbyterian+._] Friend, I"ve a kindness for you!
Friend, I"ve seen you with St. John: O stockishness!
Wear such a ruff, and never call to mind St. John"s head in a charger? How, the plague, Not laugh?
_Another._ Say, Maxwell, what great thing!
_Another._ Nay, wait: The jest will be to wait.
_First._ And who"s to bear These demure hypocrites? You"d swear they came ...
Came ... just as we come!
[_A +Puritan+ enters hastily and without observing STRAFFORD"S +Followers+._
_The Puritan._ How goes on the work?
Has Pym....
_A Follower of Strafford._ The secret"s out at last. Aha, The carrion"s scented! Welcome, crow the first!
Gorge merrily, you with the blinking eye!
"King Pym has fallen!"
_The Puritan._ Pym?
_A Strafford._ Pym!
_A Presbyterian._ Only Pym?
_Many of Strafford"s Followers._ No, brother, not Pym only; Vane as well, Rudyard as well, Hampden, St. John as well!
_A Presbyterian._ My mind misgives: can it be true?
_Another._ Lost! Lost!
_A Strafford._ Say we true, Maxwell?
_The Puritan._ Pride before destruction, A haughty spirit goeth before a fall.
_Many of Strafford"s Followers._ Ah now! The very thing!
A word in season!
A golden apple in a silver picture, To greet Pym as he pa.s.ses!
[_The doors at the back begin to open, noise and light issuing._
_Maxwell._ Stand back, all!
_Many of the Presbyterians._ I hold with Pym! And I!
_Strafford"s Followers._ Now for the text!
He comes! Quick!
_The Puritan._ How hath the oppressor ceased!
The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked!
The sceptre of the rulers, he who smote The people in wrath with a continual stroke, That ruled the nations in his anger--he Is persecuted and none hindreth!
[_The doors open, and STRAFFORD issues in the greatest disorder, and amid cries from within of "+Void the House+!"_
_Strafford._ Impeach me! Pym! I never struck, I think, The felon on that calm insulting mouth When it proclaimed--Pym"s mouth proclaimed me ... G.o.d!
Was it a word, only a word that held The outrageous blood back on my heart--which beats!
Which beats! Some one word--"Traitor," did he say, Bending that eye, brimful of bitter fire, Upon me?
_Maxwell._ In the Commons" name, their servant Demands Lord Strafford"s sword.
_Strafford._ What did you say?
_Maxwell._ The Commons bid me ask your lordship"s sword.
_Strafford._ Let us go forth: follow me, gentlemen!
Draw your swords too: cut any down that bar us.
On the King"s service! Maxwell, clear the way!
[_The +Presbyterians+ prepare to dispute his pa.s.sage._
_Strafford._ I stay: the King himself shall see me here.
Your tablets, fellow!
[_To MAINWARING._] Give that to the King!
Yes, Maxwell, for the next half-hour, let be!
Nay, you shall take my sword!
[_MAXWELL advances to take it._
Or, no--not that!
Their blood, perhaps, may wipe out all thus far, All up to that--not that! Why, friend, you see When the King lays your head beneath my foot It will not pay for that. Go, all of you!
_Maxwell._ I dare, my lord, to disobey: none stir!
_Strafford._ This gentle Maxwell!--Do not touch him, Bryan!