GRISELDA 119 



Marq. True. And you have not murdered me. 



Tanc. You play easily with your life. 



Marq. I thought the object worth the risk. I wished you to 

 trust me, so I trusted you. 



Tanc. You trusted to my weakness. 



Marq. No ; I honoured you so far as to believe that when 

 you heard the truth you would know it to be true, and I was 

 not deceived. 



Tanc. My lord, when you praise the Lady Grisyld, you are 

 transfigured, so that I must believe you even when, as now, 

 your deeds cry out loud that every word is a lie. I surely know 

 that you discrowned this wise queen, and martyred this pure 

 saint. Did you not cast her out with ignominy ? How can I 

 believe you when you tell me her trust saved your soul ? 



Marq. Many said that she loved me little, but my crown 

 much ; that her patience was mere cunning, and her cheer- 

 fulness the proof of cold self-satisfaction. Do you think 

 this? 



Tanc. No, by day's light ! 



Marq. Nor I nor any one now. Tancred, I pawned my 

 life to purchase your faith ; therefore let me have it. I own 

 that in my house of life there are some crooked passages and 

 unknown chambers, but to-morrow the sun's light shall blaze 

 through its darkest vaults ; you shall come in and judge whether 

 each stone has been well shaped. As for the master of the 

 house, some trace of cat or monkey may disfigure his fair linea- 

 ments ; yet he is a man worthy of Grisyld's trust, and much 

 more of yours. 



Tanc. Marquis, I wish I could believe you. 



Marq. Let the will give the power. When the sun sets to- 

 morrow you shall judge me. Until then give me your trust as 

 a favour if not as a right. 



Tanc. I will rather be deceived ten times than once fail to 

 return faith for faith. You have my word. 



Marq. I thank you. Now pledge your gaoler (hands him 

 the cup of wine), and then come with me where you shall see 

 the Lady Grisyld well employed. 



Tanc. (Takes cup and is about to drink stops.) Is this 

 poison ? 



