_Straf._ I! I! that was never spoken with Till it was entered on! That loathe the war! That say it is the maddest, wickedest ... Do you know, sir, I think within my heart, That you would say I did advise the war; And if, through your own weakness, or, what 's worse, These Scots, with God to help them, drive me back, You will not step between the raging People And me, to say ... I knew it! from the first I knew it! Never was so cold a heart! Remember that I said it--that I never Believed you for a moment! --And, you loved me? You thought your perfidy profoundly hid Because I could not share the whisperings With Vane, with Savile? What, the face was masked? I had the heart to see, sir! Face of flesh, But heart of stone--of smooth cold frightful stone! Ay, call them! Shall I call for you? The Scots Goaded to madness? Or the English--Pym-- Shall I call Pym, your subject? Oh, you think I 'll leave them in the dark about it all? They shall not know you? Hampden, Pym shall not? (PYM, HAMPDEN, VANE, _etc., enter._) [_Dropping on his knee._] Thus favored with your gracious countenance What shall a rebel League avail against Your servant, utterly and ever yours? So, gentlemen, the King 's not even left The privilege of bidding me farewell Who haste to save the People--that you style Your People--from the mercies of the Scots And France their friend? [_To_ CHARLES.] Pym's grave gray eyes are fixed Upon you, sir! Your pleasure, gentlemen. _Hamp._ The King dissolved us-- 't is the King we seek And not Lord Strafford. _Straf._ Strafford, guilty too Of counselling the measure. [_To_ CHARLES.] (Hush ... you know-- You have forgotten--sir, I counselled it) A heinous matter, truly! But the King Will yet see cause to thank me for a course Which now, perchance ... (Sir, tell them so!)--he blames. Well, choose some fitter time to make your charge: I shall be with the Scots, you understand? Then yelp at me! Meanwhile, your Majesty Binds me, by this fresh token of your trust. [_Under the pretence of an earnest farewell,_ STRAFFORD _conducts_ CHARLES _to the door, in such a manner as to hide his agitation from the rest: as the King disappears, they turn as by one impulse to_ PYM, _who has not changed his original posture of surprise._ _Hamp._ Leave we this arrogant strong wicked man! _Vane and others._ Hence, Pym! Come out of this unworthy place To our old room again! He 's gone. [STRAFFORD, _just about to follow the King, looks back._ _Pym._ Not gone! [_To_ STRAFFORD.] Keep tryst! the old appointment 's made anew: Forget not we shall meet again!