_Wil._ Oh, I know why! Anne, do you love the King? But I 'll see Venice for myself one day. _Straf._ See many lands, boy--England last of all,-- That way you 'll love her best. _Wil._ Why do men say You sought to ruin her, then? _Straf._ Ah,--they say that. _Wil._ Why? _Straf._ I suppose they must have words to say, As you to sing. _Anne._ But they make songs beside: Last night I heard one, in the street beneath, That called you ... Oh, the names! _Wil._ Don't mind her, father! They soon left off when I cried out to them. _Straf._ We shall so soon be out of it, my boy! 'T is not worth while: who heeds a foolish song? _Wil._ Why, not the King. _Straf._ Well: it has been the fate Of better; and yet,--wherefore not feel sure That Time, who in the twilight comes to mend All the fantastic day's caprice, consign To the low ground once more the ignoble Term, And raise the Genius on his orb again,-- That Time will do me right? _Anne._ (Shall we sing, William? He does not look thus when we sing.) _Straf._ For Ireland, Something is done: too little, but enough To show what might have been. _Wil._ (I have no heart To sing now! Anne, how very sad he looks! Oh, I so hate the King for all he says!) _Straf._ Forsook them? What, the common songs will run That I forsook the People? Nothing more? Ay, Fame, the busy scribe, will pause, no doubt, Turning a deaf ear to her thousand slaves Noisy to be enrolled,--will register The curious glosses, subtle notices, Ingenious clearings-up one fain would see Beside that plain inscription of The Name-- The Patriot Pym, or the Apostate Strafford! [_The_ Children _resume their song timidly, but break off._ (_Enter_ HOLLIS _and an_ Attendant.) _Straf._ No,--Hollis? in good time!--Who is he? _Hol._ One That must be present. _Straf._ Ah--I understand. They will not let me see poor Laud alone. How politic! They 'd use me by degrees To solitude: and, just as you came in, I was solicitous what life to lead When Strafford 's "not so much as Constable In the King's service." Is there any means To keep one's self awake? What would you do After this bustle, Hollis, in my place? _Hol._ Strafford!