INTRODUCTORYNOTE
　　ROBERTBROWNINGstands，inrespecttohisoriginandhiscareer，inmarkedcontrasttothetwoaristocraticpoetsbesidewhosedramashis"Blotinthe’Scutcheon"ishereprinted。HisfatherwasabankclerkandadissenteratatimewhendissentmeantexclusionfromSociety；thepoetwentneithertooneofthegreatpublicschoolsnortoOxfordorCambridge；andnobreathofscandaltouchedhisname。
　　BorninLondonin1812，hewaseducatedlargelybyprivatetutors，andspenttwoyearsatLondonUniversity，buttheinfluenceofhisfather，amanofwidereadingandcultivatedtastes，wasprobablythemostimportantelementinhisearlytraining。Hedrewwell，wassomethingofamusician，andwroteversesfromanearlyage，thoughitwastheaccidentalreadingofavolumeofShelleywhichfirstkindledhisrealinspiration。Thisindebtednessisbeautifullyacknowledgedinhisfirstpublishedpoem，"Pauline"
　　（1833）。
　　ApartfromfrequentvisitstoItaly，thereislittleofincidenttochronicleinBrowning’slife，withtheonegreatexceptionofhismorethanfortunatemarriagein1846toElizabethBarrett，thegreatestofEnglishpoetesses。
　　Browning’sdramaticperiodextendedfrom1835tothetimeofhismarriage，andproducedsomenineplays，notallofwhich，however，wereintendedforthestage。"Paracelsus，"thefirstoftheseries，hasbeenfairlydescribedasa"conversationaldrama，"and"PippaPasses，"thoughithasbeenstaged，isessentiallyapoemtoread。Thehistoricaltragedyof"Strafford"hasbeenimpressivelyperformed，but"KingVictorandKingCharles，""TheReturnoftheDruses，""Colombe’sBirthday，""ASoul’sTragedy，"and"Luria，"
　　whileinterestinginmanyways，canhardlyberegardedassuccessfulstage—plays。"ABlotinthe’Scutcheon"wasperformedatDruryLane，butitschancesofasuccessfulrunwerespoiledbythejealousyofMacready，themanager。
　　ThemaincauseofBrowning’sweaknessasaplaywrightlayinthefactthathewassomuchmoreinterestedinpsychologythaninaction。
　　Butinthepresenttragedythisdefectislessprominentthanusual，andinspiteofflawsinconstruction，itreachesahighpitchofemotionalintensity，thecharactersaredrawnwithvividness，andthelinesarerichinpoetry。
　　ABLOTINTHE’SCUTCHEON
　　ATRAGEDY
　　（1843）
　　DRAMATISPERSONAE
　　MILDREDTRESHAM。
　　GUENDOLENTRESHAM。
　　THOROLD，EarlTresham。
　　AUSTINTRESHAM。
　　HENRY，EarlMertoun。
　　GERARD，andotherretainersofLordTresham。
　　Time，17——
　　ACTI
　　SCENEI。——TheInteriorofaLodgeinLordTresham’sPark。
　　ManyRetainerscrowdedatthewindow，supposedtocommandaviewoftheentrancetohisMansion。
　　GERARD，theWarrener，hisbacktoatableonwhichareflagons，etc。
　　FIRSTRETAINER。Ay，do！push，friends，andthenyou’llpushdownme！
　　——Whatfor？Doesanyheararunner’sfootOrasteed’strampleoracoach—wheel’scry？
　　IstheEarlcomeorhisleastpoursuivant？
　　Butthere’snobreedinginamanofyouSaveGerardyonder:here’sahalf—placeyet，OldGerard！
　　GERARD。Saveyourcourtesies，myfriend。Hereismyplace。
　　SECONDRETAINER。Now，Gerard，outwithit！
　　Whatmakesyousullen，thisofallthedaysI’theyear？To—daythatyoungrichbountifulHandsomeEarlMertoun，whomalonetheymatchWithourLordTreshamthroughthecountry—side，IscominghereinutmostbraveryToaskourmaster’ssister’shand？
　　GERARD。Whatthen？
　　SECONDRETAINER。Whatthen？Why，you，shespeaksto，ifshemeetsYourworship，smilesonasyouholdapartTheboughstoletherthroughherforestwalks，You，alwaysfavouriteforyourno—deserts，You’veheard，thesethreedays，howEarlMertounsuesTolayhisheartandhouseandbroadlandstooAtLadyMildred’sfeet:andwhilewesqueezeOurselvesintoamouseholelestwemissOnecongeeoftheleastpageinhistrain，Yousito’oneside——"there’stheEarl，"sayI——
　　"Whatthen？"sayyou！
　　THIRDRETAINER。I’llwagerhehasletBothswanshetamedforLadyMildredswimOverthefallsandgaintheriver！
　　GERARD。Ralph，Isnotto—morrowmyinspecting—dayForyouandforyourhawks？
　　FOURTHRETAINER。LetGerardbe！
　　He’scoarse—grained，likehiscarvedblackcross—bowstock。
　　Ha，looknow，whilewesquabblewithhim，look！
　　Welldone，now——isnotthisbeginning，now，Topurpose？
　　FIRSTRETAINER。Ourretainerslookasfine——
　　That’scomfort。Lord，howRichardholdshimselfWithhiswhitestaff！WillnotaknavebehindPrickhimupright？
　　FOURTHRETAINER。He’sonlybowing，fool！
　　TheEarl’smanbentuslowerbythismuch。
　　FIRSTRETAINER。That’scomfort。Here’saverycavalcade！
　　THIRDRETAINER。Idon’tseewhereforeRichard，andhistroopOfsilkandsilvervarletsthere，shouldfindTheirperfumedselvessoindispensableOnhighdays，holidays！WoulditsodisgraceOurfamily，ifI，forinstance，stood——
　　InmyrighthandacastofSwedishhawks，Aleashofgreyhoundsinmyleft？——
　　GERARD。——WithHughThelogmanforsupporter，inhisrightThebill—hook，inhisleftthebrushwood—shears！
　　THIRDRETAINER。Outonyou，crab！Whatnext，whatnext？TheEarl！
　　FIRSTRETAINER。OhWalter，groom，ourhorses，dotheymatchTheEarl’s？Alas，thatfirstpairofthesix——
　　Theypawtheground——AhWalter！andthatbruteJustonhishaunchesbythewheel！
　　SIXTHRETAINER。Ay——ay！
　　You，Philip，areaspecialhand，Ihear，Atsoupsandsauces:what’sahorsetoyou？
　　D’yemarkthatbeastthey’veslidintothemidstSocunningly？——then，Philip，markthisfurther；
　　Noleghashetostandon！
　　FIRSTRETAINER。No？that’scomfort。
　　SECONDRETAINER。Peace，Cook！TheEarldescends。Well，Gerard，seeTheEarlatleast！Come，there’saproperman，Ihope！Why，Ralph，nofalcon，PoleorSwede，Hasgotastarriereye。
　　THIRDRETAINER。Hiseyesareblue:
　　Butleavemyhawksalone！
　　FOURTHRETAINER。Soyoung，andyetSotallandshapely！
　　FIFTHRETAINER。Here’sLordTresham’sself！
　　Therenow——there’swhatanoblemanshouldbe！
　　He’solder，graver，loftier，he’smorelikeAHouse’shead。
　　SECONDRETAINER。Butyou’dnothaveaboy——Andwhat’stheEarlbeside？——possesstoosoonThatstateliness？
　　FIRSTRETAINER。Ourmastertakeshishand——
　　Richardandhiswhitestaffareonthemove——
　　Backfallourpeople——（tsh！——there’sTimothySuretogettangledinhisribbon—ties，AndPeter’scursedrosette’sa—comingoff！）
　　——AtlastIseeourlord’sbackandhisfriend’s；
　　AndthewholebeautifulbrightcompanyCloseroundthem——intheygo！
　　[Jumpingdownfromthewindow—bench，andmakingforthetableanditsjugs。]
　　Goodhealth，longlife，GreatjoytoourLordTreshamandhisHouse！
　　SIXTHRETAINER。Myfatherdrovehisfatherfirsttocourt，Afterhismarriage—day——ay，didhe！
　　SECONDRETAINER。GodblessLordTresham，LadyMildred，andtheEarl！
　　Here，Gerard，reachyourbeaker！
　　GERARD。Drink，myboys！
　　Don’tmindme——all’snotrightaboutme——drink！
　　SECONDRETAINER[aside]。
　　He’svexed，now，thathelettheshowescape！
　　[ToGERARD。]
　　RememberthattheEarlreturnsthisway。
　　GERARD。Thatway？
　　SECONDRETAINER。Justso。
　　GERARD。Thenmyway’shere。
　　[Goes。]
　　SECONDRETAINER。OldGerardWilldiesoon——mind，Isaidit！HewasusedTocareaboutthepitifullestthingThattouchedtheHouse’shonour，notaneyeButhiscouldseewherein:andonacauseOfscarceaquarterthisimportance，GerardFairlyhadfrettedfleshandboneawayIncaresthatthiswasright，northatwaswrong，Suchpointdecorous，andsuchsquarebyrule——
　　Heknewsuchniceties，noheraldmore:
　　Andnow——youseehishumour:diehewill！
　　SECONDRETAINER。Godhelphim！Who’sforthegreatservants’hallTohearwhat’sgoingoninside！They’dfollowLordTreshamintothesaloon。
　　THIRDRETAINER。I！——
　　FOURTHRETAINER。I！——
　　LeaveFrankaloneforcatching，atthedoor，Somehintofhowtheparleygoesinside！
　　ProsperitytothegreatHouseoncemore！
　　Here’sthelastdrop！
　　FIRSTRETAINER。Haveatyou！Boys，hurrah！
　　SCENEII。——ASaloonintheMansionEnterLORDTRESHAM，LORDMERTOUN，AUSTIN，andGUENDOLEN
　　TRESHAM。Iwelcomeyou，LordMertoun，yetoncemore，Tothisancestralroofofmine。Yourname——Nobleamongthenoblestinitself，Yettakinginyourperson，fameavers，Newpriceandlustre，——（asthatgemyouwear，Transmittedfromahundredknightlybreasts，Freshchasedandsetandfixedbyitslastlord，Seemstore—kindleatthecore）——yournameWouldwinyouwelcome！——
　　MERTOUN。Thanks！
　　TRESHAM。——Butaddtothat，TheworthinessandgraceanddignityOfyourproposalforunitingbothOurHousesevencloserthanrespectUnitesthemnow——addthese，andyoumustgrantOnefavourmore，northattheleast，——tothinkThewelcomeIshouldgive；——’tisgiven！Mylord，Myonlybrother，Austin:he’stheking’s。
　　Ourcousin，LadyGuendolen——betrothedToAustin:allareyours。
　　MERTOUN。Ithankyou——lessFortheexpressedcommendingswhichyourseal，Andonlythat，authenticates——forbidsMyputtingfromme……tomyheartItakeYourpraise……butpraiselessclaimsmygratitude，ThantheindulgentinsightitimpliesOfwhatmustneedsbeuppermostwithoneWhocomes，likeme，withthebareleavetoask，Inweighedandmeasuredunimpassionedwords，Agift，which，ifascalmly’tisdenied，Hemustwithdraw，contentuponhischeek，Despairwithinhissoul。ThatIdareaskFirmly，nearboldly，nearwithconfidenceThatgift，Ihavetothankyou。Yes，LordTresham，Iloveyoursister——asyou’dhaveoneloveThatlady……ohmore，moreIloveher！Wealth，Rank，alltheworldthinksme，they’reyours，youknow，Toholdorpartwith，atyourchoice——butgrantMytrueself，mewithoutaroodofland，Apieceofgold，anameofyesterday，Grantmethatlady，andyou……Deathorlife？
　　GUENDOLEN。[aparttoAUSTIN]。Why，thisisloving，Austin！
　　AUSTIN。He’ssoyoung！
　　GUENDOLEN。Young？Oldenough，Ithink，tohalfsurmiseHeneverhadobtainedanentrancehere，Wereallthisfearandtremblingneeded。
　　AUSTIN。Hush！
　　Hereddens。
　　GUENDOLEN。Markhim，Austin；that’struelove！
　　Oursmustbeginagain。
　　TRESHAM。We’llsit，mylord。
　　Everwithbestdesertgoesdiffidence。
　　ImayspeakplainlynorbemisconceivedThatIamwhollysatisfiedwithyouOnthisoccasion，whenafalcon’seyeWeredullcomparedwithminetosearchoutfaults，Issomewhat。Mildred’shandisherstogiveOrtorefuse。
　　MERTOUN。Butyou，yougrantmysuit？
　　Ihaveyourwordifhers？
　　TRESHAM。MybestofwordsIfhersencourageyou。Itrustitwill。
　　HaveyouseenLadyMildred，bytheway？
　　MERTOUN。I……I……ourtwodemesnes，remember，touch，IhavebeerusedtowandercarelesslyAftermystrickengame:theheronrousedDeepinmywoods，hastraileditsbrokenwingThro’thicksandgladesamileinyours，——orelseSomeeyassill—reclaimedhastakenflightAndluredmeafterherfromtreetotree，Imarkednotwhither。IhavecomeuponThelady’swondrousbeautyunaware，And——andthen……Ihaveseenher。
　　GUENDOLEN[asidetoAUSTIN]。NotethatmodeOffalteringoutthat，whenaladypassed，He，havingeyes，didseeher！Youhadsaid——
　　"OnsuchadayIscannedher，headtofoot；
　　Observedared，whereredshouldnothavebeen，Outsideherelbow；butwaspleasedenoughUponthewhole。"LetsuchirreverenttalkBelessonedforthefuture！
　　TRESHAM。What’stosayMaybesaidbriefly。ShehasneverknownAmother’scare；Istandforfathertoo。
　　Herbeautyisnotstrangetoyou，itseems——
　　Youcannotknowthegoodandtenderheart，Itsgirl’strustanditswoman’sconstancy，Howpureyetpassionate，howcalmyetkind，Howgraveyetjoyous，howreservedyetfreeAslightwherefriendsare——howimbuedwithloreTheworldmostprizes，yetthesimplest，yetThe……onemightknowItalkedofMildred——thusWebrotherstalk！
　　MERTOUN。Ithankyou。
　　TRESHAM。Inaword，Control’snotforthislady；butherwishTopleasemeoutstripsinitssubtletyMypowerofbeingpleased:herselfcreatesThewantshemeanstosatisfy。MyheartPrefersyoursuittoheras’twereitsown。
　　CanIsaymore？
　　MERTOUN。Nomore——thanks，thanks——nomore！
　　TRESHAM。Thismatterthendiscussed……
　　MERTOUN。——We’llwastenobreathOnaughtlessprecious。I’mbeneaththeroofWhichholdsher:whileIthoughtofthat，myspeechToyouwouldwander——asitmustnotdo，SinceasyoufavourmeIstandorfall。
　　IprayyousufferthatItakemyleave！
　　TRESHAM。Withlessregret’tissuffered，thatagainWemeet，Ihope，soshortly。
　　MERTOUN。We？again？——
　　Ahyes，forgiveme——whenshall……youwillcrownYourgoodnessbyforthwithapprisingmeWhen……if……theladywillappointadayFormetowaitonyou——andher。
　　TRESHAM。SosoonAsIammadeacquaintedwithherthoughtsOnyourproposal——howsoe’ertheylean——
　　Amessengershallbringyoutheresult。
　　MERTOUN。Youcannotbindmemoretoyou，mylord。
　　Farewelltillwerenew……Itrust，renewAconversene’ertodisuniteagain。
　　TRESHAM。Somayitprove！
　　MERTOUN。You，lady，you，sir，takeMyhumblesalutation！
　　GUENDOLENandAUSTIN。Thanks！
　　TRESHAM。Withinthere！
　　[Servantsenter。TRESHAMconductsMERTOUNtothedoor。
　　MeantimeAUSTINremarks，]
　　Well，HereIhaveanadvantageoftheEarl，Confessnow！I’dnotthinkthatallwassafeBecausemylady’sbrotherstoodmyfriend！
　　Why，hemakessureofher——"doyousayyes——
　　She’llnotsay，no，"——whatcomesittobeside？
　　Ishouldhaveprayedthebrother，"speakthisspeech，ForHeaven’ssakeurgethisonher——putinthis——
　　Forgetnot，asyou’dsaveme，t’otherthing，——
　　Thensetdownwhatshesays，andhowshelooks，Andifshesmiles，and"（inanunderbreath）
　　"Onlyletheracceptme，anddoyouAndalltheworldrefuseme，ifyoudare！"
　　GUENDOLEN。Thatwayyou’dtake，friendAustin？WhatashameIwasyourcousin，tamelyfromthefirstYourbride，andallthisfervour’sruntowaste！
　　Doyouknowyouspeaksensiblyto—day？
　　TheEarl’safool。
　　AUSTIN。Here’sThorold。Tellhimso！
　　TRESHAM[returning]。Now，voices，voices！’St！thelady’sfirst！
　　Howseemshe？——seemshenot……come，faithgivefraudThemercy—strokewhenevertheyengage！
　　Downwithfraud，upwithfaith！HowseemstheEarl？
　　Aname！ablazon！ifyouknewtheirworth，Asyouwillnever！come——theEarl？
　　GUENDOLEN。He’syoung。
　　TRESHAM。What’sshe？aninfantsaveinheartandbrain。
　　Young！Mildredisfourteen，remark！Andyou……
　　Austin，howoldisshe？
　　GUENDOLEN。There’stactforyou！
　　ImeantthatbeingyoungwasgoodexcuseIfoneshouldtaxhim……
　　TRESHAM。Well？
　　GUENDOLEN。——Withlackingwit。
　　TRESHAM。Helackedwit？Wheremighthelackwit，sopleaseyou？
　　GUENDOLEN。Instandingstraighterthanthesteward’srodAndmakingyouthetiresomestharangue，InsteadofslippingovertomysideAndsoftlywhisperinginmyear，"Sweetlady，YourcousintherewilldomedetrimentHelittledreamsof:he’sabsorbed，Isee，Inmyoldnameandfame——besurehe’llleaveMyMildred，whenhisbestaccountofmeIsended，infullconfidenceIwearMygrandsire’speriwigdowneithercheek。
　　I’mlostunlessyourgentlenessvouchsafes"……
　　TRESHAM……"Togiveabestofbestaccounts，yourself，Ofmeandmydemerits。"Youareright！
　　HeshouldhavesaidwhatnowIsayforhim。
　　Yongoldencreature，willyouhelpusall？
　　Here’sAustinmeanstovouchformuch，butyou——Youare……whatAustinonlyknows！Comeup，Allthreeofus:she’sinthelibraryNodoubt，fortheday’swearingfast。Precede！
　　GUENDOLEN。Austin，howwemust——！
　　TRESHAM。Mustwhat？Mustspeaktruth，Malignanttongue！Detectonefaultinhim！
　　Ichallengeyou！
　　GUENDOLEN。Witchcraft’safaultinhim，Foryou’rebewitched。
　　TRESHAM。What’surgentweobtainIs，thatshesoonreceivehim——say，to—morrow——，Nextdayatfurthest。
　　GUENDOLEN。Ne’erinstructme！
　　TRESHAM。Come！
　　——He’soutofyourgoodgraces，sinceforsooth，Hestoodnotashe’dcarryusbystormWithhisperfections！You’reforthecomposedManlyassuredbecomingconfidence！
　　——Gethertosay，"to—morrow，"andI’llgiveyou……
　　I’llgiveyoublackUrganda，tobespoiledWithpettingandsnail—paces。Willyou？Come！
　　SCENEIII。
　　——MILDRED’SChamber。APaintedWindowoverlookstheParkMILDREDandGUENDOLEN
　　GUENDOLEN。Now，Mildred，sparethosepains。IhavenotleftOurtalkersinthelibrary，andclimbedThewearisomeascenttothisyourbowerIncompanywithyou，——Ihavenotdared……
　　Nay，workedsuchprodigiesassparingyouLordMertoun’spedigreebeforetheflood，WhichThoroldseemedinveryacttotell——OrbringingAustintopluckupthatmostFirm—rootedheresy——yoursuitor’seyes，Hewouldmaintain，weregreyinsteadofblue——
　　IthinkIbroughthimtocontrition！——Well，Ihavenotdonesuchthings，（alltodeserveAminute’squietcousin’stalkwithyou，）
　　Tobedismissedsocoolly。
　　MILDRED。Guendolen！
　　WhathaveIdone？whatcouldsuggest……
　　GUENDOLEN。There，there！
　　DoInotcomprehendyou’dbealoneTothrowthosetestimoniesinaheap，Thorold’senlargings，Austin’sbrevities，WiththatpoorsillyheartlessGuendolen’sIll—timemisplacedattemptedsmartnesses——
　　Andsifttheirsenseout？now，IcometospareyouNearlyawholenight’slabour。Askandhave！
　　Demand，beanswered！LackIearsandeyes？
　　AmIperplexedwhichsideoftherock—tableTheConquerordinedonwhenhelandedfirst，LordMertoun’sancestorwasbiddentake——
　　Thebow—handorthearrow—hand’sgreatmeed？
　　Mildred，theEarlhassoftblueeyes！
　　MILDRED。Mybrother——
　　Didhe……yousaidthathereceivedhimwell？
　　GUENDOLEN。IfIsaidonly"well"Isaidnotmuch。
　　Oh，stay——whichbrother？
　　MILDRED。Thorold！who——Whoelse？
　　GUENDOLEN。Thorold（asecret）istooproudbyhalf，——
　　Nay，hearmeout——withushe’sevengentlerThanwearewithourbirds。OfthisgreatHouseTheleastretainerthate’ercaughthisglanceWoulddieforhim，realdying——nomeretalk:
　　Andintheworld，thecourt，ifmenwouldciteTheperfectspiritofhonour，Thorold’snameRisesofitsclearnaturetotheirlips。
　　Butheshouldtakemen’shomage，trustinit，Andcarenomoreaboutwhatdrewitdown。
　　Hehasdesert，andthat，acknowledgment；
　　Ishecontent？
　　MILDRED。Youwronghim，Guendolen。
　　GUENDOLEN。He’sproud，confess；soproudwithbroodingo’erThelightofhisinterminableline，Anancestrywithmenallpaladins，Andwomenall……
　　MILDRED。DearGuendolen，’tislate！
　　WhenyonderpurplepanetheclimbingmoonPierces，Iknow’tismidnight。
　　GUENDOLEN。Well，thatThoroldShouldriseupfromsuchmusings，andreceiveOnecomeaudaciouslytografthimselfIntothispeerlessstock，yetfindnoflaw，Noslightestspotinsuchanone……
　　MILDRED。WhofindsAspotinMertoun？
　　GUENDOLEN。Notyourbrother；therefore，Notthewholeworld。
　　MILDRED。Iamweary，Guendolen。
　　Bearwithme！
　　GUENDOLEN。Iamfoolish。
　　MILDRED。Ohno，kind！
　　ButIwouldrest。
　　GUENDOLEN。Goodnightandresttoyou！
　　IsaidhowgracefullyhismantlelayBeneaththeringsofhislighthair？
　　MILDRED。Brownhair。
　　GUENDOLEN。Brown？why，itISbrown:howcouldyouknowthat？
　　MILDRED。How？didnotyou——Oh，Austin’twas，declaredHishairwaslight，notbrown——myhead！——andlook，Themoon—beampurplingthedarkchamber！Sweet，Goodnight！
　　GUENDOLEN。Forgiveme——sleepthesoundlierforme！
　　[Going，sheturnssuddenly。]
　　Mildred！
　　Perdition！all’sdiscovered！Thoroldfinds——ThattheEarl’sgreatestofallgrandmothersWasgranderdaughterstill——tothatfairdameWhosegarterslippeddownatthefamousdance！
　　[Goes。]
　　MILDRED。Isshe——canshebereallygoneatlast？
　　Myheart！Ishallnotreachthewindow。NeedsMustIhavesinnedmuch，sotosuffer。
　　[SheliftsthesmalllampwhichissuspendedbeforetheVirgin’simageinthewindow，andplacesitbythepurplepane。]
　　There！
　　[Shereturnstotheseatinfront。]
　　MildredandMertoun！Mildred，withconsentOfalltheworldandThorold，Mertoun’sbride！
　　Toolate！’Tissweettothinkof，sweeterstillTohopefor，thatthisblessedendsoothesupThecurseofthebeginning；butIknowItcomestoolate:’twillsweetestbeofallTodreammysoulawayanddieupon。
　　[Anoisewithout。]
　　Thevoice！Ohwhy，whyglidedsinthesnakeIntotheparadiseHeavenmeantusboth？
　　[Thewindowopenssoftly。Alowvoicesings。]
　　There’sawomanlikeadew—drop，she’ssopurerthanthepurest；
　　Andhernobleheart’sthenoblest，yes，andhersurefaith’sthesurest:
　　Andhereyesaredarkandhumid，likethedepthondepthoflustreHidi’theharebell，whilehertresses，sunnierthanthewild—grapecluster，Gushingoldentintedplentydownherneck’srose—mistedmarble:
　　Thenhervoice’smusic……callitthewell’sbubbling，thebird’swarble！
　　[Afigurewrappedinamantleappearsatthewindow。]
　　Andthiswomansays，"Mydaysweresunlessandmynightsweremoonless，ParchedthepleasantAprilherbage，andthelark’sheart’soutbreaktuneless，Ifyoulovedmenot！"AndIwho——（ah，forwordsofflame！）adoreher，Whoammadtolaymyspiritprostratepalpablybeforeher——
　　[Heenters，approachesherseat，andbendsoverher。]
　　Imayenteratherportalsoon，asnowherlatticetakesme，Andbynoontideasbymidnightmakehermine，ashersshemakesme！
　　[TheEARLthrowsoffhisslouchedhatandlongcloak。]
　　Myveryheartsings，soIsing，Beloved！
　　MILDRED。Sit，Henry——donottakemyhand！
　　MERTOUN。’Tismine。
　　ThemeetingthatappalledusbothsomuchIsended。
　　MILDRED。Whatbeginsnow？
　　MERTOUN。HappinessSuchastheworldcontainsnot。
　　MILDRED。Thatisit。
　　Ourhappinesswould，asyousay，exceedThewholeworld’sbestofblisses:we——doweDeservethat？Uttertoyoursoul，whatmineLongsince，Beloved，hasgrownusedtohear，Likeadeath—knell，somuchregardedonce，Andsofamiliarnow；thiswillnotbe！
　　MERTOUN。Oh，Mildred，haveImetyourbrother’sface？
　　Compelledmyself——ifnottospeakuntruth，Yettodisguise，toshun，toputasideThetruth，as——whathade’erprevailedonmeSaveyoutoventure？HaveIgainedatlastYourbrother，theonescarerofyourdreams，Andwakingthoughts’soleapprehensiontoo？
　　Doesanewlife，likeayoungsunrise，breakOnthestrangeunrestofournight，confusedWithrainandstormyflaw——andwillyouseeNodrippingblossoms，nofire—tinteddropsOneachlivespray，novapoursteamingup，AndnoexpresslessgloryintheEast？
　　WhenIambyyou，tobeeverbyyou，WhenIhavewonyouandmayworshipyou，Oh，Mildred，canyousay"thiswillnotbe"？
　　MILDRED。Sinhassurprisedus，sowillpunishment。
　　MERTOUN。No——mealone，whosinnedalone！
　　MILDRED。ThenightYoulikenedourpastlifeto——wasitstormThroughouttoyouthen，Henry？
　　MERTOUN。OfyourlifeIspoke——whatamI，whatmylife，towasteAthoughtaboutwhenyouarebyme？——youItwas，IsaidmyfollycalledthestormAndpulledthenightupon。’Twasdaywithme——
　　Perpetualdawnwithme。
　　MILDRED。Comewhat，comewill，Youhavebeenhappy:takemyhand！
　　MERTOUN[afterapause]。HowgoodYourbrotheris！Ifiguredhimacold——
　　ShallIsay，haughtyman？
　　MILDRED。Theytoldmeall。
　　Iknowall。
　　MERTOUN。Itwillsoonbeover。
　　MILDRED。Over？
　　Oh，whatisover？whatmustIlivethroughAndsay，"’tisover"？Isourmeetingover？
　　HaveIreceivedinpresenceofthemallThepartnerofmyguiltylove——withbrowTryingtoseemamaiden’sbrow——withlipsWhichmakebelievethatwhentheystrivetoformRepliestoyouandtrembleastheystrive，ItisthenearestevertheyapproachedAstranger’s……Henry，yoursthatstranger’s……lip——
　　Withcheekthatlooksavirgin’s，andthatis……
　　AhGod，someprodigyofthinewillstopThisplannedpieceofdeliberatewickednessInitsbirtheven！somefierceleprousspotWillmarthebrow’sdissimulating！I
　　Shallmurmurnosmoothspeechesgotbyheart，But，frenzied，pourforthallourwoefulstory，Thelove，theshame，andthedespair——withthemRoundmeaghastasroundsomecursedfountThatshouldspirtwater，andspoutsblood。I’llnot……Henry，youdonotwishthatIshoulddrawThisvengeancedown？I’llnotaffectagraceThat’sgonefromme——goneonce，andgoneforever！
　　MERTOUN。Mildred，myhonourisyourown。I’llshareDisgraceIcannotsufferbymyself。
　　AwordinformsyourbrotherIretractThismorning’soffer；timewillyetbringforthSomebetterwayofsavingbothofus。
　　MILDRED。I’llmeettheirfaces，Henry！
　　MERTOUN。When？to—morrow！
　　Getdonewithit！
　　MILDRED。Oh，Henry，notto—morrow！
　　Nextday！InevershallpreparemywordsAndlooksandgesturessooner。——HowyoumustDespiseme！
　　MERTOUN。Mildred，breakitifyouchoose，Ahearttheloveofyouuplifted——stillUplifts，thro’thisprotractedagony，Toheaven！butMildred，answerme，——firstpaceThechamberwithme——onceagain——now，sayCalmlythepart，the……whatitisofmeYouseecontempt（foryoudidsaycontempt）
　　——Contemptforyouin！IwouldpluckitoffAndcastitfromme！——butno——no，you’llnotRepeatthat？——willyou，Mildred，repeatthat？
　　MILDRED。DearHenry！
　　MERTOUN。Iwasscarceaboy——e’ennowWhatamImore？AndyouwereinfantineWhenfirstImetyou；why，yourhairfelllooseOneitherside！Myfool’s—cheekreddensnowOnlyintherecallinghowitburnedThatmorntoseetheshapeofmanyadream——YouknowweboysareprodigalofcharmsToherwedreamof——Ihadheardofone，Haddreamedofher，andIwasclosetoher，Mightspeaktoher，mightliveanddieherown，Whoknew？Ispoke。Oh，Mildred，feelyounotThatnow，whileIremembereveryglanceOfyours，eachwordofyours，withpowertotestAndweightheminthediamondscalesofpride，ResolvedthetreasureofafirstandlastHeart’sloveshallhavebeenbarteredatitsworth，——ThatnowIthinkuponyourpurityAndutterignoranceofguilt——yourownOrother’sguilt——thegirlishundisguisedDelightatastrangenovelprize——（ItalkAsillylanguage，butinterpret，you！）
　　IfI，withfancyatitsfull，andreasonScarceinitsgerm，enjoinedyousecrecy，Ifyouhadpityonmypassion，pityOnmyprotestedsicknessofthesoulTositbesideyou，hearyoubreathe，andwatchYoureyelidsandtheeyesbeneath——ifyouAccordedgiftsandknewnottheyweregifts——
　　IfIgrewmadatlastwithenterpriseAndmustbeholdmybeautyinherbowerOrperish——（IwasignorantofevenMyowndesires——whatthenwereyou？）ifsorrow——
　　Sin——iftheendcame——mustInowrenounceMyreason，blindmyselftolight，saytruthIsfalseandlietoGodandmyownsoul？
　　Contemptwereallofthis！
　　MILDRED。Doyoubelieve……
　　Or，Henry，I’llnotwrongyou——youbelieveThatIwasignorant。Iscarcegrieveo’erThepast。We’llloveon；youwilllovemestill。
　　MERTOUN。Oh，tolovelesswhatonehasinjured！Dove，WhosepinionIhaverashlyhurt，mybreast——
　　Shallmyheart’swarmthnotnursetheeintostrength？
　　FlowerIhavecrushed，shallInotcareforthee？
　　Bloomo’ermycrest，myfight—markanddevice！
　　Mildred，Iloveyouandyouloveme。
　　MILDRED。Go！
　　Bethatyourlastword。Ishallsleepto—night。
　　MERTOUN。Thisisnotourlastmeeting？
　　MILDRED。Onenightmore。
　　MERTOUN。Andthen——think，then！
　　MILDRED。Then，nosweetcourtship—days，Nodawningconsciousnessofloveforus，Nostrangeandpalpitatingbirthsofsense>Fromwordsandlooks，noinnocentfearsandhopes，Reservesandconfidences:morning’sover！
　　MERTOUN。Howelseshouldlove’sperfectednoontidefollow？
　　Allthedawnpromisedshallthedayperform。
　　MILDRED。Somayitbe！but——
　　Youarecautious，Love？
　　Aresurethatunobservedyouscaledthewalls？
　　MERTOUN。Oh，trustme！Thenourfinalmeeting’sfixedTo—morrownight？
　　MILDRED。Farewell！stay，Henry……wherefore？
　　Hisfootisontheyew—treebough；theturfReceiveshim:nowthemoonlightasherunsEmbraceshim——buthemustgo——isgone。
　　Ah，onceagainheturns——thanks，thanks，myLove！
　　He’sgone。Oh，I’llbelievehimeveryword！
　　Iwassoyoung，Ilovedhimso，IhadNomother，Godforgotme，andIfell。
　　Theremaybepardonyet:all’sdoubtbeyond！
　　Surelythebitternessofdeathispast。
　　ACTII
　　SCENE。——TheLibraryEnterLORDTRESHAM，hastilyTRESHAM。Thisway！In，Gerard，quick！
　　[AsGERARDenters，TRESHAMsecuresthedoor。]
　　Nowspeak！or，wait——
　　I’llbidyouspeakdirectly。
　　[Seatshimself。]
　　NowrepeatFirmlyandcircumstantiallythetaleYoujustnowtoldme；iteludesme；eitherIdidnotlisten，orthehalfisgoneAwayfromme。Howlonghaveyoulivedhere？
　　Hereinmyhouse，yourfatherkeptourwoodsBeforeyou？
　　GERARD。——Ashisfatherdid，mylord。
　　Ihavebeeneating，sixtyyearsalmost，Yourbread。
　　TRESHAM。Yes，yes。YoueverwereofallTheservantsinmyfather’shouse，Iknow，Thetrustedone。You’llspeakthetruth。
　　GERARD。I’llspeakGod’struth。Nightafternight……
　　TRESHAM。Sincewhen？
　　GERARD。AtleastAmonth——eachmidnighthassomemanaccessToLadyMildred’schamber。
　　TRESHAM。Tush，"access"——
　　Nowidewordslike"access"tome！
　　GERARD。HerunsAlongthewoodside，crossestotheSouth，Takesthelefttreethatendstheavenue……
　　TRESHAM。Thelastgreatyew—tree？
　　GERARD。YoumightstanduponThemainboughslikeaplatform。Thenhe……
　　TRESHAM。Quick！
　　GERARD。Climbsup，and，wheretheylessenatthetop，——Icannotseedistinctly，buthethrows，Ithink——forthisIdonotvouch——alineThatreachestothelady’scasement——
　　TRESHAM。——WhichHeentersnot！Gerard，somewretchedfoolDarespryintomysister’sprivacy！
　　Whensuchareyoung，itseemsapreciousthingTohaveapproached，——tomerelyhaveapproached，GotsightoftheabodeofhertheysetTheirfranticthoughtsupon。Hadoesnotenter？
　　Gerard？
　　GERARD。Thereisalampthat’sfulli’themidst。
　　UnderaredsquareinthepaintedglassOfLadyMildred’s……
　　TRESHAM。Leavethatnameout！Well？
　　Thatlamp？
　　GERARD。IsmovedatmidnighthigherupToonepane——asmalldark—bluepane；hewaitsForthatamongtheboughs:atsightofthat，Iseehim，plainasIseeyou，mylord，Openthelady’scasement，enterthere……
　　TRESHAM。——Andstay？
　　GERARD。Anhour，twohours。
　　TRESHAM。AndthisyousawOnce？——twice？——quick！
　　GERARD。Twentytimes。
　　TRESHAM。AndwhatbringsyouUndertheyew—trees？
　　GERARD。ThefirstnightIleftMyrangesofar，totrackthestrangerstagThatbrokethepale，Isawtheman。
　　TRESHAM。YetsentNocross—bowshaftthroughthemarauder？
　　GERARD。ButHecame，mylord，thefirsttimehewasseen，Inagreatmoonlight，lightasanyday，FROMLadyMildred’schamber。
　　TRESHAM[afterapause]。Youhavenocause——Whocouldhavecausetodomysisterwrong？
　　GERARD。Oh，mylord，onlyonce——letmethisonceSpeakwhatisonmymind！SincefirstInotedAllthis，I’vegroanedasifafierynetPluckedmethiswayandthat——fireifIturnedToher，fireifIturnedtoyou，andfireIfdownIflungmyselfandstrovetodie。
　　TheladycouldnothavebeensevenyearsoldWhenIwastrustedtoconducthersafeThroughthedeer—herdtostrokethesnow—whitefawnIbroughttoeatbreadfromhertinyhandWithinamonth。SheeverhadasmileTogreetmewith——she……ifitcouldundoWhat’sdone，tolopeachlimbfromoffthistrunk……
　　Allthatisfoolishtalk，notfitforyou——
　　Imean，IcouldnotspeakandbringherhurtForHeaven’scompelling。ButwhenIwasfixedToholdmypeace，eachmorselofyourfoodEatenbeneathyourroof，mybirth—placetoo，Chokedme。IwishIhadgrownmadindoubtsWhatitbehovedmedo。ThismornitseemedEitherImustconfesstoyouordie:
　　Nowitisdone，IseemthevilestwormThatcrawls，tohavebetrayedmylady。
　　TRESHAM。No——
　　No，Gerard！
　　GERARD。Letmego！
　　TRESHAM。Aman，yousay:
　　Whatman？Young？Notavulgarhind？Whatdress？
　　GERARD。AslouchedhatandalargedarkforeigncloakWrapshiswholeform；evenhisfaceishid；
　　ButIshouldjudgehimyoung:nohind，besure！
　　TRESHAM。Why？
　　GERARD。Heiseverarmed:hisswordprojectsBeneaththecloak。
　　TRESHAM。Gerard，——IwillnotsayNoword，nobreathofthis！
　　GERARD。Thank，thanks，mylord！
　　[Goes。]
　　TRESHAM[pacestheroom。Afterapause]。
　　Oh，thoughtsabsurd！——aswithsomemonstrousfactWhich，whenillthoughtsbesetus，seemstogiveMercifulGodthatmadethesunandstars，Thewatersandthegreendelightsofearth，Thelie！Iapprehendthemonstrousfact——
　　Yetknowthemakerofallworldsisgood，Andyieldmyreasonup，inadequateToreconcilewhatyetIdobehold——
　　Blastingmysense！There’scheerfuldayoutside:
　　Thisismylibrary，andthisthechairMyfatherusedtositincarelesslyAfterhissoldier—fashion，whileIstoodBetweenhiskneestoquestionhim:andhereGerardourgreyretainer，——ashesays，Fedwithourfood，fromsiretoson，anage，——
　　Hastoldastory——Iamtobelieve！
　　ThatMildred……oh，no，no！bothtalesaretrue，Herpurecheek’sstoryandtheforester’s！
　　Wouldshe，orcouldshe，err——muchless，confoundAllguiltsoftreachery，ofcraft，of……HeavenKeepmewithinitshand！——IwillsithereUntilthoughtsettleandIseemycourse。
　　Avert，ohGod，onlythiswoefromme！
　　[Ashesinkshisheadbetweenhisarmsonthetable，GUENDOLEN’Svoiceisheardatthedoor。]
　　LordTresham！
　　[Sheknocks。]
　　IsLordTreshamthere？
　　[TRESHAM，hastilyturning，pullsdownthefirstbookabovehimandopensit。]
　　TRESHAM。Comein！
　　[Sheenters。]
　　Ha，Guendolen！——goodmorning。
　　GUENDOLEN。Nothingmore？
　　TRESHAM。WhatshouldIsaymore？
　　GUENDOLEN。Pleasantquestion！more？
　　Thismore。DidIbesiegepoorMildred’sbrainLastnighttillcloseonmorningwith"theEarl，"
　　"TheEarl"——whoseworthdidIasseverateTillIamveryfaintohopethat……Thorold，Whatisallthis？Youarenotwell！
　　TRESHAM。Who，I？
　　Youlaughatme。
　　GUENDOLEN。HaswhatI’mfaintohope，Arrivedthen？DoesthathugetomeshowsomeblotIntheEarl’s’scutcheoncomenolongerbackThanArthur’stime？
　　TRESHAM。WhenleftyouMildred’schamber？
　　GUENDOLEN。Oh，lateenough，Itoldyou！ThemainthingToaskis，howIleftherchamber，——sure，Contentyourself，she’llgrantthisparagonOfEarlsnosuchungracious……
　　TRESHAM。Sendherhere！
　　GUENDOLEN。Thorold？
　　TRESHAM。Imean——acquainther，Guendolen，——Butmildly！
　　GUENDOLEN。Mildly？
　　TRESHAM。Ah，youguessedaright！
　　Iamnotwell:thereisnohidingit。
　　ButtellherIwouldseeheratherleisure——
　　Thatis，atonce！hereinthelibrary！