Robert Browning (1812–1889). A Blot in the ’Scutcheon.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Act I
Scene IIA Saloon in the Mansion
Enter LORD TRESHAM, LORD MERTOUN, AUSTIN, and GUENDOLEN
Tresham.I welcome you, Lord Mertoun, yet once more,
Mertoun.Thanks!
Mertoun.I thank you—less
Guendolen[apart to AUSTIN]. Why, this is loving, Austin!
Austin.He’s so young!
Guendolen.Young? Old enough, I think, to half surmise
Austin.Hush!
Guendolen.Mark him, Austin; that’s true love!
Tresham.We’ll sit, my lord.
Mertoun.But you, you grant my suit?
Tresham.My best of words
Mertoun.I … I … our two demesnes, remember, touch,
Guendolen[aside to AUSTIN]. Note that mode
Tresham.What’s to say
Mertoun.I thank you.
Tresham.In a word,
Mertoun.No more—thanks, thanks—no more!
Tresham.This matter then discussed…
Mertoun.—We’ll waste no breath
Tresham.With less regret ’tis suffered, that again
Mertoun.We? again?—
Tresham.So soon
Mertoun.You cannot bind me more to you, my lord.
Tresham.So may it prove!
Mertoun.You, lady, you, sir, take
Guendolen and Austin.Thanks!
Tresham.Within there![Servants enter. TRESHAM conducts MERTOUN to the door. Meantime AUSTIN remarks,Well,
Guendolen.That way you’d take, friend Austin? What a shame
Austin.Here’s Thorold. Tell him so!
Tresham[returning]. Now, voices, voices! ’St! the lady’s first!
Guendolen.He’s young.
Tresham.What’s she? an infant save in heart and brain.
Guendolen.There’s tact for you!
Tresham.Well?
Guendolen.—With lacking wit.
Tresham.He lacked wit? Where might he lack wit, so please you?
Guendolen.In standing straighter than the steward’s rod
Tresham …”To give a best of best accounts, yourself,
Guendolen.Austin, how we must—!
Tresham.Must what? Must speak truth,
Guendolen.Witchcraft’s a fault in him,
Tresham.What’s urgent we obtain
Guendolen.Ne’er instruct me!
Tresham.Come!