fate
Of better; and yet,--wherefore not feel sure
That Time, who in the twilight comes to mend
All the fantastic day's caprice, consign
To the low ground once more the ignoble Term,
And raise the Genius on his orb again,--
That Time will do me right?

_Anne._ (Shall we sing, William?
He does not look thus when we sing.)

_Strafford._ For Ireland,
Something is done: too little, but enough
To show what might have been.

_William._ (I have no heart
To sing now! Anne, how very sad he looks!
Oh, I so hate the King for all he says!)

_Strafford._ Forsook them! What, the common songs will run
That I forsook the People? Nothing more?
Ay, Fame, the busy scribe, will pause, no doubt,
Turning a deaf ear to her thousand slaves
Noisy to be enrolled,--will register
The curious glosses, subtle notices,
Ingenious clearings-up one fain would see
Beside that plain inscription of The Name--
The Patriot Pym, or the Apostate Strafford!

[_The +Children+ resume their song timidly, but break off._

_Enter HOLLIS and an +Attendant+._

_Strafford._ No,--Hollis? in good time!--Who is he?

_Hollis._ One
That must be present.

_Strafford._ Ah--I understand.
They will not let me see poor Laud alone.
How politic! They'd use me by degrees
To solitude: and, just as you came in,
I was solicitous what life to lead
When Strafford's "not so much as Constable
In the King's service." Is there any means
To keep oneself awake? What would you do
After this bustle, Hollis, in my place?

_Hollis._ Strafford!

_Strafford._ Observe, not but that Pym and you
Will find me news enough--news I shall hear
Under a quince-tree by a fish-pond side
At Wentworth. Garrard must be re-engaged
My newsman. Or, a better project now--
What if when all's consummated, and the Saints
Reign, and the Senate's work goes swimmingly,--
What if I venture up, some day, unseen,
To saunter through the Town, notice how Pym,
Your Tribune, likes Whitehall, drop quietly
Into a tavern, hear a point discussed,
As, whether Strafford's name were John or James--
And be myself appealed to--I, who shall
Myself have near forgotten!

_Hollis._ I would speak....

_Strafford._ Then you shall speak,--not now. I want just now,
To hear t