GRISELDA in 



noble Marquis of Saluce, and I come to bring this letter to the 

 Lady Grisyld. 



Gris. From my lord ? 



Serg. Ay, madam. 



Gris. Give it me. (Takes letter reads :) Madam, follow 

 the bearer : he will bring you to our court. Walter, Marquis 

 of Saluce. (Kisses letter.) Soldier, I come gladly. Sir Tan- 

 cred, I thank you for playing herald to good news. 



Tanc. I have still to earn your thanks. Sergeant, Lady 

 Griselda shall not go with you to Saluce. 



Gian. Sir, she must go if the Marquis bids her. This is 

 good news indeed. 



Tanc. I say she shall not go. [Whistles again. 



Serg. Your friends have got beyond that whistle, Sir Tancred, 

 judging by the pace at which they started. 



Tanc. Cowards ! 



Serg. Ten to one is eight or nine too many. The Marquis 

 knew the very corner of the wood where we should find them. 



Tanc. The Marquis knew ? 



Serg. The Marquis always does know. He gave me orders 

 to take you prisoner, but to let the others go or rather make 

 them go, and they are gone. 



Gian. Grisyld, child, are my wits wandering ? Who are 

 gone? 



Gris. To take him prisoner! Soldier, are you sure that this 

 is so ? He has harmed no one. I come with you freely. Were 

 you in any case to bring Sir Tancred with you ? 



Serg. My orders are clear, lady, to bring Sir Tancred back 

 alive. 



Tanc. You may find that difficult. 



Gian. I cannot understand. 



Gris. Father, it is better you should not be concerned with 

 what has happened ; this remains ; I am sent for by the Mar- 

 quis, and, as I believe, I am to be the servant of his new bride. 



Gian. Well ! it is good for you to go to court again, but I 

 shall miss you. Still, you may be of use to me there. Pro- 

 bably the Marquis, though all is over between you and him, 

 might grant such a trifling favour as I want for old remem- 

 brance' sake. 



