you, Pym himself--
No one could hurt them: there's an infant, too.
These tedious cares! Your Majesty could spare them.
Nay--pardon me, my King! I had forgotten
Your education, trials, much temptation,
Some weakness: there escaped a peevish word--
'Tis gone: I bless you at the last. You know
All's between you and me: what has the world
To do with it? Farewell!

_Charles_ [_at the door_]. Balfour! Balfour!

_Enter BALFOUR._

The Parliament!--go to them: I grant all
Demands. Their sittings shall be permanent:
Tell them to keep their money if they will:
I'll come to them for every coat I wear
And every crust I eat: only I choose
To pardon Strafford. As the Queen shall choose!
--You never heard the People howl for blood,
Beside!

_Balfour._ Your Majesty may hear them now:
The walls can hardly keep their murmurs out:
Please you retire!

_Charles._ Take all the troops, Balfour!

_Balfour._ There are some hundred thousand of the crowd.

_Charles._ Come with me, Strafford! You'll not fear, at least!

_Strafford._ Balfour, say nothing to the world of this!
I charge you, as a dying man, forget
You gazed upon this agony of one ...
Of one ... or if ... why you may say, Balfour,
The King was sorry: 'tis no shame in him:
Yes, you may say he even wept, Balfour,
And that I walked the lighter to the block
Because of it. I shall walk lightly, sir!
Earth fades, heaven breaks on me: I shall stand next
Before God's throne: the moment's close at hand
When man the first, last time, has leave to lay
His whole heart bare before its Maker, leave
To clear up the long error of a life
And choose one happiness for evermore.
With all mortality about me, Charles,
The sudden wreck, the dregs of violent death--
What if, despite the opening angel-song,
There penetrate one prayer for you? Be saved
Through me! Bear witness, no one could prevent
My death! Lead on! ere he awake--best, now!
All must be ready: did you say, Balfour,
The crowd began to murmur? They'll be kept
Too late for sermon at St. Antholin's!
Now! But tread softly--children are at play
In the next room. Precede! I follow--

_Enter +Lady+ CARLISLE with many +Attendants+._

_Lady Carlisle._ Me!
Follow me, Strafford, and be saved! The King?
[_To the KING._] Well--as you ordered, they are ranged without,
The convoy.... [_seeing the KING'