e is forced, contrary to his own inclination, to use extraordinary
means rather than, by the peevishness of some few factious spirits, to
suffer his state and government to be lost."

In the play as in history, Charles now confers upon Wentworth an
Earldom. Shortly after this the King "was prepared," says Gardiner, "to
confer upon his faithful Minister that token of his confidence which he
had twice refused before. On January 12, Wentworth received the Earldom
of Strafford, and a week later he exchanged the title of Lord-Deputy of
Ireland for the higher dignity of Lord-Lieutenant."

In his conference with Pym, Strafford who, in talking to Carlisle, had
shown a slight wavering toward the popular party, because of finding
himself so surrounded by difficulties, stands firm; this episode is a
striking working up of the tradition of the friendship between these
two men.

The influence of the Queen upon Charles is the last strand in this
tangled skein of human destiny brought out by Browning in the scene. The
Parliament that Wentworth wants she is afraid of lest it should ask for
a renewal of the persecution of the Catholics. The vacillating Charles,
in an instant, is ready to repudiate his interview with Wentworth, and
act only to please the Queen.

SCENE II.--_Whitehall._

_+Lady+ CARLISLE and WENTWORTH_

_Wentworth._ And the King?

_Lady Carlisle._ Wentworth, lean on me! Sit then!
I'll tell you all; this horrible fatigue
Will kill you.

_Wentworth._ No;--or, Lucy, just your arm;
I'll not sit till I've cleared this up with him:
After that, rest. The King?

_Lady Carlisle._ Confides in you.

_Wentworth._ Why? or, why now?--They have kind throats, the knaves!
Shout for me--they!

_Lady Carlisle._ You come so strangely soon:
Yet we took measures to keep off the crowd--
Did they shout for you?

_Wentworth._ Wherefore should they not?
Does the King take such measures for himself?
Besides, there's such a dearth of malcontents,
You say!

_Lady Carlisle._ I said but few dared carp at you.

_Wentworth._ At me? at us, I hope! The King and I!
He's surely not disposed to let me bear
The fame away from him of these late deeds
In Ireland? I am yet his instrument
Be it for well or ill? He trusts me too!

_Lady Carlisle._ The King, dear Wentworth, purposes, I said,
To grant you, in the face of all the Court....

_Wentworth._