_Lady Car._ (I shall see Strafford--speak to him: my heart Must never beat so, then! And if I tell The truth? What 's gained by falsehood? There they stand Whose trade it is, whose life it is! How vain To gild such rottenness! Strafford shall know, Thoroughly know them!) _Queen._ Trust to me! [_To_ CARLISLE.] Carlisle, You seem inclined, alone of all the Court, To serve poor Strafford: this bold plan of yours Merits much praise, and yet ... _Lady Car._ Time presses, madam. _Queen._ Yet--may it not be something premature? Strafford defends himself to-day--reserves Some wondrous effort, one may well suppose! _Lady Car._ Ay, Hollis hints as much. _Cha._. Why linger then? Haste with the scheme--my scheme: I shall be there To watch his look. Tell him I watch his look! _Queen._ Stay, we 'll precede you! _Lady Car._ At your pleasure. _Cha._ Say-- Say, Vane is hardly ever at Whitehall! I shall be there, remember! _Lady Car._ Doubt me not. _Cha._ On our return, Carlisle, we wait you here! _Lady Car._ I 'll bring his answer. Sir, I follow you. (Prove the King faithless, and I take away All Strafford cares to live for: let it be-- 'T is the King's scheme! My Strafford, I can save, Nay, I have saved you, yet am scarce content, Because my poor name will not cross your mind. Strafford, how much I am unworthy you!) SCENE II. _A passage adjoining Westminster Hall._ _Many groups of_ Spectators _of the Trial._ Officers _of the Court, etc._ _1st Spec._ More crowd than ever! Not know Hampden, man? That 's he, by Pym, Pym that is speaking now. No, truly, if you look so high you 'll see Little enough of either! _2d Spec._ Stay: Pym's arm Points like a prophet's rod. _3d Spec._ Ay, ay, we 've heard Some pretty speaking: yet the Earl escapes. _4th Spec._ I fear it: just a foolish word or two About his children--and we see, forsooth, Not England's foe in Strafford, but the man Who, sick, half-blind ... _2d Spec._ What 's that Pym's saying now Which makes the curtains flutter? look! A hand Clutches them. Ah! The King's hand! _5th Spec._ I had thought Pym was not near so tall. What said he, friend? _2d Spec._ "Nor is this way a novel way of blood," And the Earl turns as if to ... Look! look! _Many Spectators._ There! What ails him? No--he rallies, see--goes on, And Strafford smiles. Strange! _An Officer._ Haselrig! _Many Spectators._ Friend? Friend?