GRISELDA 141 



loved me, though you feared I was a murderer. To-day you 

 know that I am almost innocent. 



Gris. The relief that knowledge brought me is past words ; 

 you must not accuse him, Dora. I have been much to blame. 

 He meant nobly. I have suffered, but suffering once past is 

 ended. If I am free I will go back to the forest ; there I shall 

 be happy. There, my lord, I will bless you every hour of each 

 day ; you, children, will come to me sometimes ; but not you, 

 my lord. I will love you in the forest, but I will not see you. 



Tanc. My father's doubts were folly ; his trials of your love 

 were insults sins ; but your present action, mother, is not of 

 a piece with your past life. You called for death sooner than 

 freedom, when I would have set you free, although my father 

 then seemed to threaten ; while now, when he owns his fault. 

 gives you back your children and strives to make amends you 

 will not stay with him ! Why not ? 



Gris. I am not what I was. 



Tanc. Surely you are less noble. 



Chris. That may be ; but I am what I am. 



Filo. All your life you have chosen what was best, most 

 right. Is this your choice now ? 



Gris. I never chose. I did the one thing I could do. 

 Would it be what you call best, most right, to say I love the 

 Marquis when I do not love him ? 



Tanc. I know the full depth of his sin ; but you, mother, 

 can you not forgive ? 



Gris. I have nothing to forgive. You all say well. I am 

 in the wrong ; I beseech you all to forgive me. 



Marq. Forgiveness is a word. Nor you nor I can be as if 

 what has been had not been. I could regret much that I have 

 done, but I ask for no forgiveness. When I did what I could 

 most regret, my love's sea was at the flood. That sea was wild 

 and cruel cruel both to you and me ; yet the passion was love 

 a wild deep sea of love, whose waves still buffet me ; and my 

 strength is failing. I fear that I shall sink. 



Gris. I know that you have loved me ; I think I loved you, 

 long ago. Last night I thought that I still loved you, but to- 

 day I cannot. I must tell the truth. Oh, let me go. You 

 torture me. 



