im the thread of that
labyrinth which, under the name of 'the Queen's side,' was such a
mystery to him. It was something, too, no doubt, that this advocate was
not a grey haired statesman, but a woman, in spite of growing years, of
winning grace and sparkling vivacity of eye and tongue."

[Illustration: Charles I]

Strafford, himself, Browning brings before us, ill, and worn out with
responsibility as he was upon his return to England at this time.
Carlisle tactfully lets him know how he will have to face criticisms
from other councillors about the King, and how even the confidence of
the fickle King cannot be relied upon. In his conference with the King
in this scene, Strafford, at last, wins the confidence of the King as
history relates. Wentworth, horrified at the way in which a war with
Scotland has been precipitated, carries his point, that Parliaments
should be called in Ireland and England. This will give time for
preparation, and at the same time an opportunity of convincing the
people that the war is justified by Scotland's treason, so causing them
willingly to grant subsidies for the expense of the war. To turn from
the play to history, Commissioners from the Scottish Parliament, the
Earls of Loudon and Dumferling had arrived in London to ask that the
acts of the Scottish Parliament might receive confirmation from the
King. This question was referred to a committee of eight Privy
Councillors. Propositions were made to put the Scotch Commissioners in
prison; however, the King finally decided to dismiss them without
treating with them. Scottish indignation of course ran high at this
proceeding, and here Wentworth stepped in and won the King to his policy
of ruling Scotland directly from England. "He insisted," writes
Gardiner, "that a Parliament, and a Parliament alone, was the remedy
fitted for the occasion. Laud and Hamilton gave him their support. He
carried his point with the Committee. What was of more importance he
carried it with the King." And as one writer expressed it the Lords were
of the opinion that "his Majesty should make trial of that once more,
that so he might leave his people without excuse, and have where withal
to justify himself to God and the world that in his own inclination he
desired the old way; but that if his people should not cheerfully,
according to their duties, meet him in that, especially in this exigent
when his kingdom and person are in apparent danger, the world might see
h