136 LITERATURE AND DRAMA 



Gris. The best will fear most. These men are yonr lackeys. 

 Their rough mockery is venial. They may be good men 



Marq. You cannot call this man good. 



Gris. As yet he is no criminal ; but if you carry out your 

 threat, he will be jeered and flouted into crime. This punish- 

 ment will make him wicked. 



Marq. Grisyld, Grisyld, you are barely honest. You plead 

 this man's cause not for its justice, but because you cannot bear 

 to think of even vile things in pain. I know that weakness of 

 old in you. Yet your argument was good, and you gained time. 

 1 am cooler now. Go, fellow. I do not like your face. If you 

 show it me again I will carve it till it please me better. 



Major. May Heaven bless you, lady, and make me a better 

 man. 



[MAJOR hurries off, R. ; the MARQUIS turns to his guests, who 

 take their places behind the side tables. The MARQUIS 

 leads FILOMENE to one throne, and remains standing. 

 Servants and GRISELDA in centre. 



Marq. Gentles all, your pardon. Take your places. I 

 would say our feast had begun badly, but that the lady here 

 spoke well. Think you not so ? 



Tanc. Would that my lord might ever have so good a coun- 

 sellor. 



Marq. Good wishes are ever welcome, and they are most 

 welcome on a marriage day. Would the Lady Filomene have 

 us keep Griselda as our counsellor ? 



Filo. My lord, if you would take her counsel in the greater 

 matter of our marriage, you would be spared a far greater 

 sin. 



Marq. What sin ? But on this day I must do your will. 

 Griselda, what think you of this lady ? Is she not fair and 

 noble, and fit in all ways to be my bride ? 



Gris. My lord, no man can desire a fairer wife. I know her 

 nature to be noble. She is worthy to be a queen. Only give 

 me leave to pray that you will not crown her with such sharp 

 thorns as your former wife bore patiently. She was a peasant, 

 but this lady is a princess. 



Marq. True ! I was . a prince and you a peasant ; but was 

 that the reason you obeyed me ? 



