Neither advance nor turn back, so we stood Mil. You call me kindlier by my name Than even yesterday-what is in that? Tresh. It weighs so much upon my mind that I I might. . of course, I must be glad or grieved, That touches you-I may with a wrung heart Even reprove you, Mildred; I did more— Will you forgive me? Thorold? do you mock?.. and yet you bid me . . that word! say Tresh. Forgive me, Mildred!- are you silent, sweet? Mil. [starting up.] Why does not Henry Mertoun come to night? Are you, too, silent? [Dashing his mantle aside, and pointing to his scabbard, which is empty. Ah, this speaks for you! You've murdered Henry Mertoun! now proceed! What is it I must pardon? This and all? Well, I do pardon you-I think I do. Thorold, how very wretched you must be! Tresh. He bade me tell you.. Mil. What I do forbid Your utterance of! so much that you may tell And will not-how you murdered him. . but, no! Tresh. You cannot, Mildred! for the harsh words, yes: Mil. Oh true! there's nought for me to pardon! True You loosed my soul of all its cares at once- Tell me his last words? He shall tell me them, Mil. Ah, Thorold! was't not rashly done You let him speak his poor confused boy's-speech -Do his poor utmost to disarm your wrath Tresh. No! no! I had desisted! Why, as he lay there, The moon on his flushed cheek, I gathered all The troubled surface of his crime and yours Had I but glanced, where all seemed turbidest Mil. As I dare approach that Heaven [Falls on his neck. There! do not think too much upon the past! The cloud that's broke was all the same a cloud It loves you as mine loves! Confirm me, Henry! Tresh. I wish thee joy, beloved! I am glad In thy full gladness! Guen. [without.] Mildred! Tresham! [Entering with AUSTIN.] I could desist no longer. Ah, she swoons! [Dies. Thorold, About my neck, and blessed me, and then died. -You'll let them stay now, Guendolen ! Aus. Leave her And look to him! What ails you, Thorold? Guen. White As she and whiter! Austin-quick-this side! Aus. A froth is oozing thro' his clenched teethBoth lips, where they're not bitten thro', are black! Speak, dearest Thorold! Tresh. Something does weigh down. My neck beside her weight: thanks: I should fall But for you, Austin, I believe !-there, there "Twill pass away soon!—ah,-I had forgotten I am dying. Thorold-Thorold-why was this? Tresh. I said, just as I drank the poison off, The earth would be no longer earth to me, The life out of all life was gone from me! There are blind ways provided, the foredone Heart-weary player in this pageant world Drops out by, letting the main masque defile By the conspicuous portal :-I am through— Just through! Guen. Don't leave him, Austin! death is close. Must wash one blot away: the first blot came All's gules again-no care to the vain world, Aus. No blot shall come! Tresh. I said that-yet it did come. Should it come, Vengeance is God's not man's. Remember me ! [Dies Guen. [letting fall the pulseless arm.] Ah, Thorold, we can but remember you! |