GRISELDA 



137 



Gris. If you too had been a peasant, I should willingly have 

 obeyed you as your wife. Yet to us who toil and bear hardship 

 from our childhood, patience and obedience come more readily 

 than to women who are nurtured delicately. My prayer is that 

 you will remember this. 



Filo. That prayer will not save me. 



Marq. And you, my lords, I trust that you all think Lady 

 Filomene a bride worthy of your prince. 



Courtier. Her worth is such, my lord, that had you not been 

 secret in this matter, each princely bachelor in Italy would 

 have sent heralds to forbid the banns, and claim the lady for 

 himself. 



Marq. Yet Grisyld here is wise, and fair too. 



Courtier. True, my lord, but Lady Filomene is twenty years 

 the better bride. 



Marq. Excellent valuer ! My lords and ladies, pardon me 

 if I delay our feast yet a little while ; I have that to say which 

 may give it great relish. Nay, keep your seats for once my 

 privilege shall be to stand. You must not steal away, Grisyld : 

 you are wanted here. I have but half a will to speak. Now, I 

 know what no man else knows, and one minute more will trans- 

 form my mystery into vulgar news. Yet my news will bring 

 me much profit. I shall gain a loving wife oh ! 'tis true, girl ; 

 the word* that I shall use are magical. As for you, good youth, 

 when I have spoken you will crave a blessing from me ; though 

 now I see your hands quiver like leashed hounds when they 

 scent the deer : hold them from my throat one minute longer ; 

 then you may slip them if you list. You, my friends, who at 

 last know with certainty that I am mad stark mad you will 

 crack the air with shouts proclaiming that I am the wisest 

 prince who ever lived, and your applause will be sincere. You, 

 Griselda, shall be happy. Not one of you believes me. Common 

 courtesy almost forbids that I should show you how much mis- 

 taken you all are. When I have told my story, you will think 

 me good. 



Courtier. My lord ! 



Marq. Your surprise is natural. You imagine me to be a 

 murderer, but in my courts we have one wise rule. We never 

 hang a man unless to make the pair with a dead body there 



