GRISELDA 123 



had not tamed me. I had outstared death. Now I am weak, 

 crushed, despised, pitied. I hate you. Oh, no, no ! I am too 

 miserable. (Falls on GRISYLD'S neck.) I meant to be silent, to 

 go and say no word, make no sign to man or God ; but I was 

 alone, and I felt very cold. Now I have spoken. Will you 

 come with me ? 



Gris. Where, my child ? 



Filo. Into the grave. 



Oris. No, no ! not yet nor so. There is a time for death ; 

 but not yet. I will hold you ; you will not go from me while I 

 hold you. 



Filo. I have not slept for days I could sleep now. I could 

 sleep if I were certain not to wake. But to-morrow ! I must 

 not wake to-morrow : you and I are poor weak women : we 

 cannot resist you said so we can only die ; let me die while 

 I am happy. To-morrow, instead of you that man would come 

 I should feel his hands, breathe his breath. No, no ! now is 

 my time to die. Why is he so wicked ? 



Gris. He is not wicked, Lady Filomene. 



Filo. (Disengages herself.) Not wicked ! 



Gris. Twenty years have I known the noble Marquis of 

 Saluce, whom you first saw ten days since : I have loved him as 

 I could love none wicked ; I love him still. 



Filo. Have you come here to praise him ? to play the go- 

 between ? 



Gris. When I heard you call him wicked I could not choose 

 but speak. 



Filo. If you loved him, you would rather see me dead than 

 his wife. 



Gris. That you should be his wife is not my grief; my pain 

 oh, my pain is old and manifold ! 



Filo. Then you have suffered. Men said you could not 

 feel. 



Gris. Yes, I have suffered. 



Filo. Have you any hope ? 



Gris. None. 



Filo. Then come with me. 



Gris. Why should you die ? 



Filo. You must not hinder me ; you can bear much because 



