_Holl._ He 'll keep at York: All will blow over: he 'll return no worse, Humbled a little, thankful for a place Under as good a man. Oh, we 'll dispense With seeing Strafford for a month or two! (STRAFFORD _enters._) _Queen._ You here! _Straf._ The King sends for me, madam. _Queen._ Sir, The King ... _Straf._ An urgent matter that imports the King! [_To_ Lady CARLISLE.] Why, Lucy, what 's in agitation now, That all this muttering and shrugging, see, Begins at me? They do not speak! _Lady Car._ 'Tis welcome! For we are proud of you--happy and proud To have you with us, Strafford! You were stanch At Durham: you did well there! Had you not Been stayed, you might have ... we said, even now, Our hope 's in you! _Vane._ [_To_ Lady CARLISLE.] The Queen would speak with you. _Straf._ Will one of you, his servants here, vouchsafe To signify my presence to the King? _Sav._ An urgent matter? _Straf._ None that touches you, Lord Savile! Say, it were some treacherous Sly pitiful intriguing with the Scots-- You would go free, at least! (They half divine My purpose!) Madam, shall I see the King? The service I would render, much concerns His welfare. _Queen._ But his Majesty, my lord, May not be here, may ... _Straf._ Its importance, then, Must plead excuse for this withdrawal, madam, And for the grief it gives Lord Savile here. _Queen._ [_Who has been conversing with_ VANE _and_ HOLLAND.] The King will see you, sir! [_To_ Lady CARLISLE.] Mark me: Pym's worst Is done by now: he has impeached the Earl, Or found the Earl too strong for him, by now. Let us not seem instructed! We should work No good to Strafford, but deform ourselves With shame in the world's eye. [_To_ STRAFFORD.] His Majesty Has much to say with you. _Straf._ Time fleeting, too! [_To_ Lady CARLISLE.] No means of getting them away? And She-- What does she whisper? Does she know my purpose? What does she think of it? Get them away! _Queen._ [_To_ Lady CARLISLE.] He comes to baffle Pym--he thinks the danger Far off: tell him no word of it! a time For help will come: we 'll not be wanting then. Keep him in play, Lucy--you, self-possessed And calm! [_To_ STRAFFORD.] To spare your lordship some delay I will myself acquaint the King. [_To_ LADY CARLISLE.] Beware! [_The_ QUEEN, VANE, HOLLAND, _and_ SAVILE _go out._ _Straf._ She knows it? _Lady Car._ Tell me, Strafford! _Straf._ Afterward! This moment 's the great moment of all time. She knows my purpose? _Lady Car._ Thoroughly: just now She bade me hide it from you.