GRISELDA 131 



poisoned. This ring held the poison. You may learn the 

 nature of the drug from the strong smell. You have skill in 

 antidotes ; save her, my lord ! 



Marq. Griselda, I greatly fear that you have murdered 

 her. 



Gris. Oh, waste no moment now, my lord ; the poison 

 works speed, speed! 



Tanc. My lord 



Marq. Silence. (Aside) Sunrise is not sunset. (Aloud) 

 I sent her to serve Lady Filomene. Is it not most like that 

 out of jealousy Griselda poisoned her ? Nay, as I think, some 

 one heard her use the words, ' I have killed her.' 



A Courtier. I heard that, my lord. 



Gris. What matters how she got the poison ? My lord, I 

 never knew this slackness in you. Is she dead ? 



Marq. (To courtiers') You are passing wise. Yet not so 

 wise as Grisyld there, whom you have known for years to be a 

 true and faithful woman, the noblest in the land and the most 

 prudent ; but you let one black doubt in one minute blot the 

 whole fair record. Cheerly, Grisyld ! The girl is not dead, nor 

 like to die. 



Gris. God's blessing on you ! but be quick. 



Marq. I will not touch her, or these wiseacres will say I 

 cured her with some antidote to screen you, perhaps. 



Gris. Oh, let me be, my lord. 



Marq. Silence, Grisyld. In good sooth, to-day patient Grisyld 

 is impatient. See! the girl revives stand where you are; 

 'twas a mere swoon. 



Filo. (Flies to GRISYLD.) Save me, save me from him ! 



[GRISYLD clasps her. 



Marq. Now, mark me. This foolish girl wore a ring in 

 which she stored poison, as she thought. The jeweller in 

 Florence who sold the ring, as in duty bound, told me, her 

 guardian. I took good heed the ring should hold mere scented 

 water. Young lady, you are richer by a strange experience. I 

 envy you. Sirs, are you certain that Griselda has not poisoned 

 Lady Filomene ? 



Courtiers. We are indeed, my lord. 



Marq. Day dawns. Our marriage feast begins shortly. 



K 2 



