i io LITERATURE AND DRAMA 



be unholy, there is no martyr's palm for women. And he is no 

 villain. 



Tanc. Until now you have shown strength by your sub- 

 mission, but to submit farther, and for no good end, is weakness. 



Chris. I will submit. 



Tanc. Nay, then, you shall submit to me. My will is your 

 good. His purpose is your degradation. (Goes out, back.) We 

 are ready. Bid them come. [Re-enters. 



Gris. What have you done ? 



Tanc. I have called my brethren ; you shall come ' with us 

 whether you will or not. 



Gris. I will not come. [A confused noise is heard without. 



Tanc. You shall not go to your death for he needs your 

 death. This new marriage, if it be contracted while you live, 

 may be set aside any day. Death is your only stop game, said 

 the Marquis. Marriage and divorce may play see-saw, quoth 

 he ; and then he laughed. I hoped then that he might take 

 you back. He shall not have you back. 



Gris. He shall have his will. 



Tanc. Right ! All I said was folly. How could I dream 

 that you would flinch from martyrdom while you were free ! but 

 you shall not be free ; you shall be saved. Force shall save you. 

 And I thank God I am a man, and can use force. 



Gris. You will not save me. Have some mercy. Let me at 

 least die near him by his hand. Do not kill me here ; for I 

 will die sooner than go with you. (He seizes her.) Oh, bind 

 my hands ; you cannot bind life in me. I will neither eat nor 

 drink. That's too slow. I will not breathe : I will die here-^- 

 now ! (A trumpet call is heard.) No, I shall live ; for he has 

 come ! That trumpet sounded his call I hear his voice. 

 Walter ! I am here. [Bursts from TANCRED to the door. 



Door opens, SERGEANT appears, c, and salutes. 



Tanc. How is this ? Tancred ! friends ! a Tancred. 

 Gris. Soldier, speak. 



GiAN enters, L. 



Gian. What is this noise ? Who may you be ? 



Serg. Sir, I am a sergeant in the bodyguard of the most 



