University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Griselda's Apartment. Enter the Marquis to Griselda.
GRISELDA.
Why didst thou bid me to the tournament,
And send to say, Go not?

MARQUIS.
Because, Griselda,—
It is a woman's answer, but will serve,—
I changed my purpose.

GRISELDA.
And no more, my lord

MARQUIS.
Art not content?

GRISELDA.
I must needs be content;
My tongue shall never question will of thine;
But yet my heart should quicker leap to keep it,
So it were sure of love.

MARQUIS.
Why, look you now,
There hath been that, and there will be again,
Whose hard and doubtful doing well might shake
This faith of thine, look that these shake it not.
What such I say and do,—these are to me
Out of avoidance, and thy debt to them
Is an obedient duty; but thy love,
Be ever sure, is answered worthily.

GRISELDA.
Oh now, do what thou wilt, I'll not think more
Of this same jousting.

MARQUIS.
Dost thou love it so?

GRISELDA.
Nay, 'tis a rare sight when the noble knights,
Death-proof from heel to helm, splinter the spears
Like straws upon their breasts. Oh! when our boy
Is grown to man, shall he not, Walter, ride
Like these along the lists,—a star of them?

MARQUIS.
I cannot tell.

GRISELDA.
Not yet, but if he lives?

MARQUIS.
Didst thou not see him dead?

GRISELDA.
Where then, my lord?

MARQUIS.
Why, in thy dreams.

GRISELDA.
Ah! thou didst make me fear.
My prince! I saw him not six hours agone,
Here, sleeping in his bed.

MARQUIS.
Is he there yet?

GRISELDA.
Why, yes,—look thou! He'll smile to see thee come
With sword and steel cap; he is too like thee
To fear their flash. Look on him now.

MARQUIS.
Look thou!

GRISELDA.
(finding the boy gone).
O God, my child is gone! Lenette! Lenette!
Who took my child,—my son,—my darling?

MARQUIS.
I!

GRISELDA.
(after a silence).
Was it thou, Walter?

MARQUIS.
It was I, my wife!

GRISELDA.
Oh, heart, be still! Why didst thou take my boy?

MARQUIS.
He stood between me and my kingdom's peace:
They would not have the herdsman's daughter's son,
Nor bend a knee to him.

GRISELDA.
Where is he gone?

MARQUIS.
Even where his sister went.

GRISELDA.
They are both gone!
Both my twin-blossoms! Ah, lord Walter, both!
Were they thy danger?

MARQUIS.
Else this were not done;
Ask what thou wilt, I'll answer.

GRISELDA.
Answer this!
I must pray God to tend those whom I tended.
Shall I pray for the dead?

MARQUIS.
Pray for thy babes
As for sweet angels thou shalt see again.

GRISELDA.
In heaven, lord?

MARQUIS.
Aye, Madam, there, I hope.