King has cast
Strafford off forever, and henceforth Strafford will be on their
side,--a conclusion not warranted by history, and, of course, found out
to be erroneous by Pym and his followers in the next scene. Again there
is the dramatic need to emphasize the human side of life even in an
essentially political play, by showing that Pym's friendship and loyalty
to Wentworth were no uncertain elements in his character. The moment it
could be proved beyond a doubt that Wentworth was in the eyes of Pym,
England's enemy, that moment Pym knew it would become his painful duty
to crush Wentworth utterly, therefore Pym had for his own conscience'
sake to make the uttermost trial of his faith.

The second scene, as in the first act, brings out the other side. It is
in the main true to history though much condensed. History relates that
after the Short Parliament was dissolved, "voices were raised at
Whitehall in condemnation of Strafford." His policy of raising subsidies
from the Parliament having failed, criticisms would, of course, be made
upon his having pushed ahead a war without the proper means of
sustaining it. Charles himself was also frightened by the manifestations
of popular discontent and failed to uphold Wentworth in his policy.

Northumberland had been appointed commander-in-chief of the army, but
besides having little heart for an enterprise so badly prepared for, he
was ill in bed and could not take command of the army, so the King
appointed Strafford in his place. A hint of Strafford as he appears in
this scene may be taken from Clarendon who writes "The earl of Strafford
was scarce recovered from a great sickness, yet was willing to undertake
the charge out of pure indignation to see how few men were forward to
serve the King with that vigor of mind they ought to do; but knowing
well the malicious designs which were contrived against himself,
he would rather serve as lieutenant-general under the earl of
Northumberland, than that he should resign his commission: and so, with
and under that qualification, he made all possible haste towards the
north before he had strength enough for the journey." Browning makes the
King tell Strafford in this interview that he has dissolved the
Parliament. He represents Strafford as horrified by the news and driven
in this extremity to suggest the desperate measure of debasing the
coinage as a means of obtaining funds. Strafford actually counseled
this, when all else failed, nam