142 LITERATURE AND DRAMA 



Marq. Griselda, you are full of pity. I have known you 

 pity thieves and murderers. Pity me. Stay with me. I will 

 not ask for love ; but all misery, even mine, claims pity. When 

 you turn from me, my life's light is quenched. Last night the 

 sun still shone on the green meadows in the wood where we 

 first met where we were young where we loved. All's dark 

 now. My past is dead. I had not killed the past for you ; it 

 lived in your voice last night. 



Gris. I wish that I had died last night. 



Marq. Although to-day brought back your children ! What 

 is my new crime ? 



Gris. None. The crime is mine. That is why I wish that 

 I had died. 



Filo. There is no crime. We honour you. Why should 

 you wish to die when we love you so ? 



Gris. Why would you have killed yourself last night ? 



Tanc. Marquis, your good deeds are but new born, and they 

 are far too weak to cope with your old sins. Mother, I grant 

 that you must go. I will not say that you are wrong, nor can 

 I say that you are right. I will go with you, protect you, 

 honour you, obey you. 



Gris. And condemn me. I will go alone, if I may go, my lord. 



Marq. Look up, Grisyld. This some time. past I have not 

 seen your true eyes. Grisyld, you are in the right. We have 

 all been wrong, as men always are when they doubt you. Last 

 night, children, your mother spoke of me as I once was, and you 

 heard that then she loved me. She even said she loved me now ; 

 but she was thinking of me as I was long since. Now, I am 

 strange to her, and this stranger comes, gives her a strange man 

 and woman for her children, and says : ' Quick ! love me. This 

 old rogue is that young forester you loved long ago.' You are 

 right. I am not he, Grisyld, though I remember him, and I 

 am glad to think you once loved him. 



Gris. That is true, my lord ; but must a woman's love fade 

 as she withers ? 



Marq. Not so. As we ripen, love grows ; but growth means 

 change. 'Twas sheer folly when I begged for love as boys beg 

 from girls. Your forest story set me dreaming. Now I am 

 awake. I say that you are right. 



