Robert Browning (1812–1889). A Blot in the ’Scutcheon.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Act II
The Library.
Robert Browning (1812–1889). A Blot in the ’Scutcheon.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
The Library.
Enter Lord Tresham, hastily
Tresham.This way! In, Gerard, quick![As GERARD enters, TRESHAM secures the door.
Seats himself.Now repeat
Gerard.—As his father did, my lord.
Tresham.Yes, yes. You ever were of all
Gerard.I’ll speak
Tresham.Since when?
Gerard.At least
Tresham.Tush, “access”—
Gerard.He runs
Tresham.The last great yew-tree?
Gerard.You might stand upon
Tresham.Quick!
Gerard.Climbs up, and, where they lessen at the top,
Tresham.—Which
Gerard.There is a lamp that’s full i’ the midst,
Tresham.Leave that name out! Well?
Gerard.Is moved at midnight higher up
Tresham.—And stay?
Gerard.An hour, two hours.
Tresham.And this you saw
Gerard.Twenty times.
Tresham.And what brings you
Gerard.The first night I left
Tresham.Yet sent
Gerard.But
Tresham[after a pause].You have no cause
Gerard.Oh, my lord, only once—let me this once
Tresham.No—
Gerard.Let me go!
Tresham.A man, you say:
Gerard.A slouched hat and a large dark foreign cloak
Tresham.Why?
Gerard.He is ever armed: his sword projects
Tresham.Gerard,—I will not say
Gerard.Thanks, thanks, my lord![Goes.
Tresham[paces the room. After a pause]. Oh, thoughts absurd!—as with some monstrous fact
As he sinks his head between his arms on the table, GUENDOLEN’S voice is heard at the door.
She knocks.]Is Lord Tresham there?[TRESHAM, hastily turning, pulls down the first book above him and opens it.
Tresham.Come in![She enters.
Guendolen.Nothing more?
Tresham.What should I say more?
Guendolen.Pleasant question! more?
Tresham.Who, I?
Guendolen.Has what I’m fain to hope,
Tresham.When left you Mildred’s chamber?
Guendolen.Oh, late enough, I told you! The main thing
Tresham.Send her here!
Guendolen.Thorold?
Tresham.I mean—acquaint her, Guendolen,
Guendolen.Mildly?
Tresham.Ah, you guessed aright!
Guendolen.I’ll die
Tresham.Go! or, Guendolen,
goes.
Enter MILDRED
Mildred.What book
Tresham.Mildred, here’s a line,
Mildred.True love.
Tresham.I mean, and should have said, whose love is best
Mildred.The list’s so long: there’s father’s, mother’s, husband’s…
Tresham.Mildred, I do believe a brother’s love
Mildred.What is this for?
Tresham.This, Mildred, is it for!
Mildred.Speak!
Tresham.I will!
After a pause.] Not speak? Explain then! Clear it up then! Move
After a pause.] Is there a gallant that has night by night
After a pause.] Then, his name!
Mildred.Thorold, do you devise
Tresham.Then judge yourself! How should I act? Pronounce!
Mildred.Oh, Thorold, you must never tempt me thus!
Tresham.And what will now
Mildred.But, Thorold—if
Tresham.The Earl?
Mildred.I will receive him.
Tresham[starting up].Ho there! Guendolen!
GUENDOLEN and AUSTIN enter
Austin and Guendolen.How? Mildred?
Tresham.Mildred once!
Guendolen.Oh, Mildred, look to me, at least!
Tresham.You have heard…
Guendolen.Too much! You must proceed no further.
Mildred.Yes—
Tresham.All is truth,
As MILDRED faints and falls, TRESHAM, rushes out.
Austin.Stay, Tresham, we’ll accompany you!
Guendolen.We?
Austin.No, Guendolen! I echo Thorold’s voice.
Guendolen.Us two?
Austin.Look up and take
Mildred.I—I was so young!
Guendolen.Mildred!
Mildred.Require no further! Did I dream
Guendolen.What is this?
Mildred.Oh, Austin, loosen me!
Guendolen.Here, Mildred, we two friends of yours will wait.
Mildred.I believe
Guendolen.Let go her hand now, Austin!
goes.
Mildred.No—I cannot weep.
Guendolen.Yes: and “love”
Mildred.Confide!
Guendolen.Your lover’s name, then! I’ve so much to learn,
Mildred.My friend,
Guendolen.At least
Mildred.Ah, do you ask me that,—but I am fallen
Guendolen.You love him still, then?
Mildred.My sole prop
Guendolen.How could you let us
Mildred.There is a cloud around me.
Guendolen.But you said
Mildred.I say there is a cloud…
Guendolen.No cloud to me!
Mildred.What maddest fancy…
Guendolen[calling aloud]. Austin! (spare your pains—
Mildred.By all you love, sweet Guendolen, forbear!
Guendolen.Just for this!
Mildred.If you would see me die before his face…
Guendolen.I’d hold my peace! And if the Earl returns
Mildred.Ah Heaven, he’s lost!
Guendolen.I thought so. Austin!
Enter AUSTIN
Austin.Thorold’s gone,
Guendolen.Gone? All thwarts us.
Mildred.Thorold too?
Guendolen.I have thought. First lead this Mildred to her room.