Another. A Strafford. Say we true, Maxwell? A haughty spirit goeth before a fall. thing! A word in season! A golden apple in a silver picture, Maxwell. Lost! Lost! Pride before destruction, Ah now! The very [The doors at the back begin to open, noise and light issuing. 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 Is persecuted and none hindreth! [The doors open, and STRAFFORD issues in the greatest disorder, and amid cries from within of "Void the House!" Strafford. 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? Maxwell. In the Commons' name, their servant Demands Lord Strafford's sword. Strafford. What did you say? Maxwell. The Commons bid me ask your lordship's sword. Strafford. 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. Strafford. I stay: the King himself shall see me here. Your tablets, fellow! [TO MAINWARING.] Give that to the King! Yes, Maxwell, for the next half-hour, let be! [MAXWELL advances to take it. Their blood, perhaps, may wipe out all thus far, Maxwell. I dare, my lord, to disobey: none stir! Strafford. This gentle Maxwell!-Do not touch him, Bryan! [To the Presbyterians.] Whichever cur of you will carry this Escapes his fellow's fate. None saves his life? None? [Cries from within of "STRAFFORD!" Slingsby, I've loved you at least: make haste! Stab me! I have not time to tell you why. You then, my Bryan! Mainwaring, you then! At Allerton? The King had vexed me. [To the Presbyterians.] Not even you? If I live over this, You! The King is sure to have your heads, you know! [Louder cries of "STRAFFORD!" The King! I troubled him, stood in the way Great obstacle to peace, the Enemy Of Scotland: and he sent for me, from York, A Parliament - I see! And at Whitehall [Tearing off the George. I tread a gewgaw underfoot, [His own Adherents disarm him. Renewed cries of England! I see thy arm in this and yield. Pray you now - Pym awaits me pray you now! [STRAFFORD reaches the doors: they open wide. HAMPDEN and a crowd discovered, and, at the bar, PYм standing apart. As STRAFFORD kneels, the scene shuts. The history of the fourth act deals with further episodes of Strafford's trial, especially with the change in the procedure from Impeachment to a Bill of Attainder against Strafford. The details of this great trial are complicated and cannot be followed in all their ramifications here. There was danger that the Impeachment would not go through. Strafford, himself, felt confident that in law his actions could not be found treasonable. After Strafford's brilliant defense of himself, it was decided to bring in a Bill of Attainder. New evidence against Strafford con |