146 LITERATURE AND DRAMA 



Marq. My wife ! My wife ! (They embrace.') Be in this 

 mood once a twelvemonth, Grisyld, and I will think the whole 

 year happy. 



Gris. This is no mood. This is myself. I have come back 

 to life. I rejoice to live. All sights show me beauty. All 

 sounds are music chiming with the song my soul sings within 

 me. 



Marq. Your voice has the old ring. I believe that you are 

 happy, though I have somewhat lost my faith in my power to 

 confer a blessing. 



Gris. Blessing ! I am a mother and a wife. 



Marq. Queen too, lady. Small blessing for the nonce, since 

 for one long hour at least I fear the queen must listen to the 

 foolish babble of her guests. Summon them, Roland. 



[Exit ROLAND. 



Gris. I will meet our friends gladly. Among them I saw 

 many who were dear to me. 



Courtiers enter, R., c., and L. The MARQUIS and GRISELDA welcome 

 them. TANCRED comes down to FILOMENE. 



Marq. Ah ! womanlike, they have brought the queen's robes 

 for you, Grisyld. 



Gris. I love my peasant clothes, Walter. You remember 

 them ? 



Marq. They shall be set in gold like the relics of a saint. 

 Right, Dora : it is your turn to play the tirewoman while I 

 crown this linen coif. 



Gris. You will never again lose hope, Dora. 



Filo. Mother, I know now that pain may be a blessing. 

 Mine has taught me how to love you. 



Tanc. Sister, shall we be friends ? (Leads her up.) 



Filo. More than friends, Roland. I am glad to have a 

 brother. I am glad that you are he. 



Marq. I've no more surprises for you, lords and ladies. You 

 know all. My tale is told. It will be retold often, and for the 

 most part wrongly. Men wi]l praise you, Grisyld (leads her to 

 throne), and some women will jeer at you. No woman will 

 praise me, nor will any man take me for his model, though I 



