d have been spoken in the seventeenth, has
breathed a high wish. On his page an imaginary Pym, recalling an
imaginary friendship, looks forward hopefully to a reunion in a better
and brighter world."

SCENE II.--_The Tower._

_STRAFFORD sitting with his +Children+. They sing._

_O bell 'andare
Per barca in mare,
Verso la sera
Di Primavera!_

_William._ The boat's in the broad moonlight all this while--

_Verso la sera
Di Primavera!_

And the boat shoots from underneath the moon
Into the shadowy distance; only still
You hear the dipping oar--

_Verso la sera_,

And faint, and fainter, and then all's quite gone,
Music and light and all, like a lost star.

_Anne._ But you should sleep, father; you were to sleep.

_Strafford._ I do sleep, Anne; or if not--you must know
There's such a thing as....

_William._ You're too tired to sleep?

_Strafford._ It will come by-and-by and all day long,
In that old quiet house I told you of:
We sleep safe there.

_Anne._ Why not in Ireland?

_Strafford._ No!
Too many dreams!--That song's for Venice, William:
You know how Venice looks upon the map--
Isles that the mainland hardly can let go?

_William._ You've been to Venice, father?

_Strafford._ I was young, then.

_William._ A city with no King; that's why I like
Even a song that comes from Venice.

_Strafford._ William!

_William._ Oh, I know why! Anne, do you love the King?
But I'll see Venice for myself one day.

_Strafford._ See many lands, boy--England last of all,--
That way you'll love her best.

[Illustration: The Tower, London]

_William._ Why do men say
You sought to ruin her then?

_Strafford._ Ah,--they say that.

_William._ Why?

_Strafford._ I suppose they must have words to say,
As you to sing.

_Anne._ But they make songs beside:
Last night I heard one, in the street beneath,
That called you.... Oh, the names!

_William._ Don't mind her, father!
They soon left off when I cried out to them.

_Strafford._ We shall so soon be out of it, my boy!
'Tis not worth while: who heeds a foolish song?

_William._ Why, not the King.

_Strafford._ Well: it has been the