There! if you'll only turn me I shall live And save her! Tresham-oh, had you but heard! Tresh. That process is begun. Mer. Yes, be satisfied And she sits there Waiting for me. Now, say you this to her You-not another-say, I saw him die As he breathed this "I love her "-(you don't know With memories . . . I speak to her—not you, The felon stripe by stripe? Die, Mildred! Leave We're good enough, tho' the world casts us out! [A whistle is heard. Tresh. Ho, Gerard! Enter GERARD, AUSTIN, and GUENDOLEN, with lights. No one speak! you see what's done! I cannot bear another voice! Mer. There's light Light all about me and I move to it. Tresh. Mer. Now? I will bear those words to her. Tresh. Now! Lift you the body, Gerard, and leave me The head. [As they have half raised MERTOUN, he turns suddenly. Mer. I knew they turned me-turn me not from her! There! stay you! there! [Dies. Guen. [after a pause.] Austin, remain you here With Thorold until Gerard comes with help Then lead him to his chamber. I must go To Mildred. Tresh. Guendolen, I hear each word You utter-did you hear him bid me give His message? Did you hear my promise? I, Guen. She will die. Tresh. Oh no, she will not die! I dare not hope She'll die. What ground have you to think she'll die? Why, Austin's with you! Aus. Had we but arrived Before you fought! Tresh. There was no fight at all! He let me slaughter him-the boy !—I'll trust Aus. Whither bear him? Tresh. Oh, to my chamber. When we meet there next, We shall be friends. [They bear out the body of MERToun. Will she die, Guendolen ? Guen. Where are you taking me? Tresh. He fell just here! Now answer me. Shall you in your whole life -You who have nought to do with Mertoun's fate, Guen. What is done Is done! My care is for the living. Thorold, Bear up against this burden-more remains To set the neck to! Tresh. Dear and ancient trees My fathers planted, and I loved so well! What have I done that, like some fabled crime Of yore, lets loose a fury leading thus Her miserable dance amidst you all? Oh, never more for me shall winds intone SCENE II-MILDRED'S Chamber. MILDRED alone. He comes not! I have heard of those who seemed Else should I bear that Henry comes not ?—fails In my defence, to Thorold; he was breathless The first shame over, all that would might fall. The morn's deed o'er and o'er. I must have crept 'Tis she, Her lover-oh, I dare not look upon The curse deliver all you come to say! What must become of me? Oh speak that thought Which makes your brow and cheek so pale! Tresh. My thought? Mil. All of it! Tresh. How we waded-years ago After those water-lilies, till the plash, I know not how, surprised us; and you dared |