whole, lacks the grasp in the portrayal of Wentworth to
be found in the drama. C. H. Firth, commenting upon this says truly,
"One might almost say that in the first, Strafford was represented as he
appeared to his opponents, and in the second as he appeared to himself;
or that, having painted Strafford as he was, Browning painted him again
as he wished to be. In the biography Strafford is exhibited as a man of
rare gifts and noble qualities; yet in his political capacity, merely
the conscious, the devoted tool of a tyrant. In the tragedy, on the
other hand, Strafford is the champion of the King's will against the
people's, but yet looks forward to the ultimate reconciliation of
Charles and his subjects, and strives for it after his own fashion. He
loves the master he serves, and dies for him, but when the end comes he
can proudly answer his accusers, 'I have loved England too.'"

The play opens at the important moment of Wentworth's return to London
from Ireland, where for some time he had been governor. The occasion of
his return, according to Gardiner, was a personal quarrel with the
Chancellor Loftus, of Ireland. Both men were allowed to come to England
to plead their cause, which resulted in the victory of Wentworth. In the
play Pym says, "Ay, the Court gives out His own concerns have brought
him back: I know 'tis the King calls him." The authority for this remark
is found in the Forster-Browning Life. "In the danger threatened by the
Scots' Covenant, Wentworth was Charles's only hope; the King sent for
him, saying he desired his personal counsel and attendance. He wrote:
'The Scots' Covenant begins to spread too far, yet, for all this, I will
not have you take notice that I have sent for you, but pretend some
other occasion of business.'" Certain it is that from this time
Wentworth became the most trusted counsellor of Charles, that is, as
far as Charles was capable of trusting any one. The condition of affairs
to which Wentworth returned is brought out in the play in a thoroughly
alive and human manner. We are introduced to the principal actors in the
struggle for their rights and privileges against the government of
Charles meeting in a house near Whitehall. Among the "great-hearted" men
are Hampden, Hollis, the younger Vane, Rudyard, Fiennes--all leaders in
the "Faction,"--Presbyterians, Loudon and other members of the Scots'
commissioners. A bit of history has been drawn upon for this opening
scene, for accordin