for ever now!)
And you are really bound for Scotland then?
I wish you well: you must be very sure
Of the King's faith, for Pym and all his crew
Will not be idle--setting Vane aside!

_Strafford._ If Pym is busy,--you may write of Pym.

_Lady Carlisle._ What need, since there's your King to take your part?
He may endure Vane's counsel; but for Pym--
Think you he'll suffer Pym to....

_Strafford._ Child, your hair
Is glossier than the Queen's!

_Lady Carlisle._ Is that to ask
A curl of me?

_Strafford._ Scotland----the weary way!

_Lady Carlisle._ Stay, let me fasten it.
--A rival's, Strafford?

_Strafford_ [_showing the George_]. He hung it there: twine yours
around it, child!

_Lady Carlisle._ No--no--another time--I trifle so!
And there's a masque on foot. Farewell. The Court
Is dull; do something to enliven us
In Scotland: we expect it at your hands.

_Strafford._ I shall not fail in Scotland.

_Lady Carlisle._ Prosper--if
You'll think of me sometimes!

_Strafford._ How think of him
And not of you? of you, the lingering streak
(A golden one) in my good fortune's eve.

_Lady Carlisle._ Strafford.... Well, when the eve has its last streak
The night has its first star.

[_She goes out._

_Strafford._ That voice of hers--
You'd think she had a heart sometimes! His voice
Is soft too.
Only God can save him now.
Be Thou about his bed, about his path!
His path! Where's England's path? Diverging wide,
And not to join again the track my foot
Must follow--whither? All that forlorn way
Among the tombs! Far--far--till.... What, they do
Then join again, these paths? For, huge in the dusk,
There's--Pym to face!
Why then, I have a foe
To close with, and a fight to fight at last
Worthy my soul! What, do they beard the King,
And shall the King want Strafford at his need?
Am I not here?
Not in the market-place,
Pressed on by the rough artisans, so proud
To catch a glance from Wentworth! They lie down
Hungry yet smile "Why, it must end some day:
Is he not watching for our sake?" Not there!
But in Whitehall, the whited sepulchre,
The....
Curse nothing to-night! Only one name
They'll curse in all those st