ad 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?

_Charles._ I thank you, sir, who leave
That King his servant. Thanks, sir!

_Pym._ Let me speak!
--Who may not speak again; whose spirit yearns
For a cool night after this weary day:
--Who would not have my soul turn sicker yet
In 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 assent
To Strafford's death, you will not interfere!
Or----

_Charles._ God forsakes me. I am in a net
And cannot move. Let all be as you say!

_Enter +Lady+ CARLISLE._

_Lady Carlisle._ He loves you--looking beautiful with joy
Because you sent me! he would spare you all
The pain! he never dreamed you would forsake
Your servant in the evil day--nay, see
Your scheme returned! That generous heart of his!
He needs it not--or, needing it, disdains
A 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 brave
On your own side shall help us: we are now
Stronger than ever.
Ha--what, sir, is this?
All is not well! What parchment have you there?

_Pym._ Sir, much is saved us both.

_Lady Carlisle._ This Bill! Your lip
Whitens--you could not read one line to me
Your 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 Carlisle._ I am to save him! All have shrunk beside;
'Tis only I am left. Heaven will make strong
The hand now as the heart. Then let both die!

In the last act Browning has drawn upon his imagination more than in any
other part of the play. Strafford in prison in the Tower is the center
around which all the other elements of the drama are made to revolve. A