_First._ And who 's to bear These demure hypocrites? You 'd swear they came ... Came ... just as we come! [_A Puritan enters hastily and without observing_ STRAFFORD'S Followers. _The Puritan._ How goes on the work? Has Pym ... _A Follower of Strafford._ The secret 's out at last. Aha, The carrion 's scented! Welcome, crow the first! Gorge merrily, you with the blinking eye! "King Pym has fallen!" _The Puritan._ Pym? _A Strafford._ Pym! _A Presbyterian._ Only Pym? _Many of Strafford's Followers._ No, brother, not Pym only; Vane as well, Rudyard as well, Hampden, St. John as well! _A Presbyterian._ My mind misgives: can it be true? _Another._ Lost! Lost! _A Strafford._ Say we true, Maxwell? _The Puritan._ Pride before destruction, A haughty spirit goeth before a fall. _Many of Strafford's Followers._ Ah now! The very thing! A word in season! A golden apple in a silver picture To greet Pym as he passes! [_The doors at the back begin to open, noise and light issuing._ _Max._ Stand back, all! _Many of the Presbyterians._ I hold with Pym! And I! _Strafford's Followers._ Now for the text! He comes! Quick! _The Puritan._ How hath the oppressor ceased! The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked! The sceptre of the rulers, he who smote The people in wrath with a continual stroke, That ruled the nations in his anger--he Is persecuted and none hindereth! [_The doors open, and_ STRAFFORD _issues in the greatest disorder, and amid cries from within of_ "Void the House!" _Straf._ Impeach me! Pym! I never struck, I think, The felon on that calm insulting mouth When it proclaimed--Pym's mouth proclaimed me ... God! Was it a word, only a word that held The outrageous blood back on my heart--which beats! Which beats! Some one word--"Traitor," did he say, Bending that eye, brimful of bitter fire, Upon me? _Max._ In the Commons' name, their servant Demands Lord Strafford's sword. _Straf._ What did you say? _Max._ The Commons bid me ask your lordship's sword. _Straf._ Let us go forth: follow me, gentlemen! Draw your swords too: cut any down that bar us. On the King's service! Maxwell, clear the way! [The Presbyterians _prepare to dispute his passage._