130 LITERATURE AND DRAMA 



You can believe he is a murderer. Why cannot you believe 

 they live ? Speak ! 



Filo. I cannot. 



Gris. Think again. I have told you all quite truly. I have 

 hidden nothing, and your first thought was my children lived ; 

 but now you will not say it. He is no murderer. Men tried 

 to scare me from Saluce. They threatened me with shame and 

 death ; yet I had no fear. I should have feared a murderer. 

 The trumpets of his messengers sounded the very call which 

 summoned me to meet him in my youth. That music heralds 

 hope, not fear; and as we came the whole long road smiled 

 with children their eyes shone hope on me ; and while they 

 ran and laughed and leapt, again and again the clarion notes 

 rang out and sang to make hope bold, and always at the close I 

 heard his voice call, ' Grisyld, come, Griselda ; ' yet since I came 

 I have not heard even his footfall ; and when I tell you all my 

 life, you cannot believe my children live, and you call my love, 

 my soul, their murderer. Why do you stare at me ? I am not 

 mad. You are mad. You credit infamy. I know that my 

 children live. 



Filo. This world is too strange for me. I can stay no 

 longer. (Sucks ring.) 



Gris. What have I done ? What have I said ? 



Filo. This ring held poison. Your story did not tempt me 

 to stay. There is a little left for you. 



Gris. I have killed her. Help ! sergeant soldiers help ! 

 Lady Filomene lies dying. 



Filo. No, no ! Let me be alone with you. Be as you were 

 at first. Peace peace not all this tumult. While I die you 

 might be gentle with me. 



Gris. You may be saved. When he knows the truth he 

 will set you free. 



Filo. I will not be saved. They will torture, they will 

 degrade me. Oh, I am afraid I am afraid. Why can I not 

 die ? The rogue lied ; he said instant death. Will you not kill 

 me quickly out of mercy ? [Sivoons. 



Enter MARQUIS, TANCRED, and train. 

 Gris. Quick, quick, most noble lord ! Lady Filomene lies 



