ut Pym struts....

_The Presbyterian._ Nearer.

_A Follower of Strafford._ Higher,
We look to see him. [_To his +Companions+._] I'm to have St. John
In charge; was he among the knaves just now
That followed Pym within there?

_Another._ The gaunt man
Talking with Rudyard. Did the Earl expect
Pym at his heels so fast? I like it not.

_MAXWELL enters._

_Another._ Why, man, they rush into the net! Here's Maxwell--
Ha, Maxwell? How the brethren flock around
The fellow! Do you feel the Earl's hand yet
Upon your shoulder, Maxwell?

_Maxwell._ Gentlemen,
Stand back! a great thing passes here.

_A Follower of Strafford_ [_To another_]. The Earl
Is at his work! [_To +M.+_] Say, Maxwell, what great thing!
Speak out! [_To a +Presbyterian+._] Friend, I've a kindness for you!
Friend,
I've seen you with St. John: O stockishness!
Wear such a ruff, and never call to mind
St. John's head in a charger? How, the plague,
Not laugh?

_Another._ Say, Maxwell, what great thing!

_Another._ Nay, wait:
The jest will be to wait.

_First._ And who's to bear
These demure hypocrites? You'd swear they came ...
Came ... just as we come!

[_A +Puritan+ enters hastily and without observing STRAFFORD'S
+Followers+._

_The Puritan._ How goes on the work?
Has Pym....

_A Follower of Strafford._ The secret's out at last. Aha,
The carrion's scented! Welcome, crow the first!
Gorge merrily, you with the blinking eye!
"King Pym has fallen!"

_The Puritan._ Pym?

_A Strafford._ Pym!

_A Presbyterian._ Only Pym?

_Many of Strafford's Followers._ No, brother, not Pym only;
Vane as well,
Rudyard as well, Hampden, St. John as well!

_A Presbyterian._ My mind misgives: can it be true?

_Another._ Lost! Lost!

_A Strafford._ Say we true, Maxwell?

_The Puritan._ Pride before destruction,
A haughty spirit goeth before a fall.

_Many of Strafford's Followers._ Ah now! The very thing!
A word in season!
A golden apple in a silver picture,
To greet Pym as he passes!

[_The doors at the back begin to open, noise and light issuing._

_Maxwell._ Stand back, a