GRJSELDA 147 



am he who found and crowned you. But let the world jog as 

 it lists. Our hearts are glad. With full cups, my lords, pledge 

 your queen, and make the farthest echo in the palace ring out, 

 c Welcome to Griselda ! ' 



Courtiers . Welcome to Griselda ! Long life to our queen ! 



Gris. My lords and counsellors, I prize your welcome very 

 dearly, for it is given by the voices of old friends friends whom 

 I ever found rich in love and serviceable deeds. I see younger 

 faces, too, no less kindly in their look, although as yet unknown 

 to me. These new friends I shall in some sort link with my 

 children in my heart, as gained to-day. Old friends and new 

 friends, I thank you all. 



Marq. Have you no thanks for me, Grisyld ? I shouted 

 louder than the youngest of them. 



Gris. For so much, my lord, I thank you, but your other 

 gifts pass all thanks. [Applause. 



Marq. Our friends endorse your verdict, but young Tancred 

 Roland here is silent. 



Tanc. Father, you are a noble gentleman, but you wronged 

 my mother bitterly. 



Marq. Yet you will take my hand, and when Dora learns 

 that she is promised to Count Guido Malatesta, Filomene will 

 kiss me. (TANCRED takes his hand, and DORA kisses him.) What 

 noise is this ? 



Courtier. A fellow here, my lord, has brought a letter for the 

 queen. 



Marq. Read it, Grisyld. They have begun to beg of you. 



Gris. The man, my lord, who was your majordomo writes 

 craving that on this most auspicious day he may not alone be 

 outcast. He begs my intercession in favour of his reappoint- 

 ment. In a postscript he says his profits from the place were 

 too small. 



Marq. Will you have the fellow back ? 



Gris. In good sooth, no, my lord. 



Marq. Right. One of you let him know I am hard at work 

 devising tortures. There is one boon which you must ask, 

 Griselda, or break faith. 



Gris. What boon, my lord ? 



L 2 



