_Cha._ Not done with: he engages to surpass All yet performed in Ireland. _Queen._ I had thought Nothing beyond was ever to be done. The war, Charles--will he raise supplies enough? _Cha._ We 've hit on an expedient; he ... that is, I have advised ... we have decided on The calling--in Ireland--of a Parliament. _Queen._ O truly! You agree to that? Is that The first-fruit of his counsel? But I guessed As much. _Cha._ This is too idle, Henriette! I should know best. He will strain every nerve, And once a precedent established ... _Queen._ Notice How sure he is of a long term of favor! He 'll see the next, and the next after that; No end to Parliaments! _Cha._ Well, it is done. He talks it smoothly, doubtless. If, indeed, The Commons here ... _Queen._ Here! you will summon them Here? Would I were in France again to see A King! _Cha._ But, Henriette ... _Queen._ Oh, the Scots see clear! Why should they bear your rule? _Cha._ But listen, sweet! _Queen._ Let Wentworth listen--you confide in him! _Cha._ I do not, love,--I do not so confide! The Parliament shall never trouble us! ... Nay, hear me! I have schemes, such schemes: we 'll buy The leaders off: without that, Wentworth's counsel Had ne'er prevailed on me. Perhaps I call it To have excuse for breaking it forever, And whose will then the blame be? See you not? Come, dearest!--look, the little fairy, now, That cannot reach my shoulder! Dearest, come! * * * * * ACT II SCENE I. (As in Act I. Scene 1.) _The same Party enters._ _Rud._ Twelve subsidies! _Vane._ O Rudyard, do not laugh At least! _Rud._ True: Strafford called the Parliament-- 'T is he should laugh! _A Puritan._ Out of the serpent's root Comes forth a cockatrice. _Fien._ --A stinging one, If that 's the Parliament: twelve subsidies! A stinging one! but, brother, where 's your word For Strafford's other nest-egg, the Scots' war? _The Puritan._ His fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. _Fien._ Shall be? It chips the shell, man; peeps abroad. Twelve subsidies!--Why, how now, Vane? _Rud._ Peace, Fiennes! _Fien._ Ah?--But he was not more a dupe than I, Or you, or any here, the day that Pym Returned with the good news. Look up, friend Vane! We all believe that Strafford meant us well In summoning the Parliament. (HAMPDEN _enters._) _Vane._ Now, Hampden, Clear me! I would have leave to sleep again: I 'd look the People in the face again: Clear me from having, from the first, hoped, dreamed Better of Strafford!