t some weightier charge!

_Pym._ You say
That these are petty charges: can we come
To the real charge at all? There he is safe
In tyranny's stronghold. Apostasy
Is not a crime, treachery not a crime:
The cheek burns, the blood tingles, when you speak
The words, but where's the power to take revenge
Upon them? We must make occasion serve,--
The oversight shall pay for the main sin
That mocks us.

_Rudyard._ But his unexampled course,
This Bill!

_Pym._ By this, we roll the clouds away
Of precedent and custom, and at once
Bid the great beacon-light God sets in all,
The conscience of each bosom, shine upon
The guilt of Strafford: each man lay his hand
Upon his breast, and judge!

_Vane._ I only see
Strafford, nor pass his corpse for all beyond!

_Rudyard and others._ Forgive him! He would join us, now he finds
What the King counts reward! The pardon, too,
Should be your own. Yourself should bear to Strafford
The pardon of the Commons.

_Pym._ Meet him? Strafford?
Have we to meet once more, then? Be it so!
And yet--the prophecy seemed half fulfilled
When, at the Trial, as he gazed, my youth,
Our friendship, divers thoughts came back at once
And left me, for a time.... 'Tis very sad!
To-morrow we discuss the points of law
With Lane--to-morrow?

_Vane._ Not before to-morrow--
So, time enough! I knew you would relent!

_Pym._ The next day, Haselrig, you introduce
The Bill of his Attainder. Pray for me!

SCENE III.--_Whitehall._

_The KING._

_Charles._ My loyal servant! To defend himself
Thus irresistibly,--withholding aught
That seemed to implicate us!
We have done
Less gallantly by Strafford. Well, the future
Must recompense the past.
She tarries long.
I understand you, Strafford, now!
The scheme--
Carlisle's mad scheme--he'll sanction it, I fear,
For love of me. 'Twas too precipitate:
Before the army's fairly on its march,
He'll be at large: no matter.
Well, Carlisle?

_Enter PYM._

_Pym._ Fear me not, sir:--my mission is to save,
This time.

_Charles._ To break thus on me! Unannounced!

_Pym._ It is of Strafford I would speak.

_Charles._