_Hamp._ We meet here to accomplish certain good By obvious means, and keep tradition up Of free assemblages, else obsolete, In this poor chamber: nor without effect Has friend met friend to counsel and confirm, As, listening to the beats of England's heart, We spoke its wants to Scotland's prompt reply By these her delegates. Remains alone That word grow deed, as with God's help it shall-- But with the devil's hindrance, who doubts too? Looked we or no that tyranny should turn Her engines of oppression to their use? Whereof, suppose the worst be Wentworth here-- Shall we break off the tactics which succeed In drawing out our formidablest foe, Let bickering and disunion take their place? Or count his presence as our conquest's proof, And keep the old arms at their steady play? Proceed to England's work! Fiennes, read the list! _Fien._ Ship-money is refused or fiercely paid In every county, save the northern parts Where Wentworth's influence ... [_Shouting._ _Vane._ I, in England's name, Declare her work, this day, at end! Till now, Up to this moment, peaceful strife was best. We English had free leave to think; till now, We had a shadow of a Parliament In Scotland. But all 's changed: they change the first, They try brute-force for law, they, first of all ... _Voices._ Good! Talk enough! The old true hearts with Vane! _Vane._ Till we crush Wentworth for her, there 's no act Serves England! _Voices._ Vane for England! _Pym._ Pym should be Something to England. I seek Wentworth, friends. 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. _Went._ No;--or, Lucy, just your arm; I 'll not sit till I 've cleared this up with him: After that, rest. The King? _Lady Car._ Confides in you. _Went._ Why? or, why now?--They have kind throats, the knaves! Shout for me--they! _Lady Car._ You come so strangely soon: Yet we took measures to keep off the crowd-- Did they shout for you? _Went._ Wherefore should they not? Does the King take such measures for himself? Beside, there 's such a dearth of malcontents, You say! _Lady Car._ I said but few dared carp at you. _Went._ 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 Car._ The King, dear Wentworth, purposes, I said, To grant you, in the face of all the Court ...