GRISELDA 101 



Gris. What good would it do me, father ? 



Gian. It would cheer you, child. A sad heart makes a sour 

 face. 



Gris. Is mine sour, father ? 



Gian. It might well be sour. Certainly no woman ever had 

 a better right to be miserable ; and so, I think, a cup of wine 

 would do you good. No ? (Drinks wine.) I admit this is 

 poor tipple after such liquor as you drank at your husband's 

 court. He must have a princely cellar ! What growths does 

 the Marquis of Saluce favour most ? 



Gris. He prefers Tuscan wine. 



Gian. A marquis should know good wine. I think this 

 good, but he would not swallow a drop of it. He would call it 

 poor country stuff. My talk, too, is poor stuff for you ; you 

 have lived with ladies, and conferred about State affairs with 

 great lords. I like to hear their names. Tell me the styles 

 and titles of the ladies who have waited on you. 



Gris. Father, you know the roll by heart. Forgive me 

 words which tell of that old time come unwillingly, even when, 

 called to do you pleasure. 



Gian. True ! true ! A grief once stilled should not be 

 stirred. I am dull and blundering quite unworthy to be 

 father to a queen. For my part, I never understood why a 

 reigning prince should have married you, but I understand still 

 less why he unmarried you years after. Men say, too, you were 

 a good queen. Well, great folk do strange things ; but small 

 folk, such as you and I, do just what we must. 



Gris. True, father ; and now our cows must have their 

 fodder, and I must give it them. Where is the stable key ? 



Gian. You have an angel's patience. I never could have 

 borne half what you have borne. 



Gris. The key. 



Gian. Nay ; I shall keep the key. A stable is no place for 

 a gentlewoman. 



Gris. Gentlewomen, father, have good care of all who serve 

 them. Pray give me the key. 



Gian. Gentle or simple, women must have their way. . I 

 warrant that in obstinacy you could match the best of them, 

 Grisyld. 



