LOCRINE。
Thyfearisdarker，child，thanherdesire。
ESTRILD。
Ifearnotheratall:IwouldnotfearTheonethingfearfultomeyet，whohereSitwalledaroundwithwatersandwithwoodsFromallthingsfearfulbutthefearofchange。
LOCRINE。
Fearthounotthat:fornothingborneludesTime;andthejoyweresorrowfulandstrangeThatshouldendureforever。Yea，IthinkSuchjoywouldprayforsorrow’scuptodrink，Suchconstancydesireanend，formereLongwearinessofwatching。ThouandI
Haveallourwilloflifeandlovinghere，—
Aheavenlierheavenonearth:butweshalldie，Andifwediednot，lovewemightoutliveAsnowshallloveoutliveus。
ESTRILD。
We？
LOCRINE。
Forgive！
ESTRILD。
King！andIheldtheemorethanman！
LOCRINE。
Godwot，ThouartmorethanI——morestrongandwise;
IknowThoucouldstnotliveonehouriflovewerenot。
ESTRILD
Andthou？—
LOCRINE。
Iwouldnot。Alltheworldwerewoe，Andallthedaynight，iftheloveIbeartheeWerepluckedoutofthelifewhereinIweartheeAscrownandcomfortofitsnightsanddays。
ESTRILD。
Thouliest——forlove’ssakeandformine——andI
Lienot，whoswearbytheewhereonIgazeIholdnotruthsohallowedasthelieWherewithmyloveredeemsmefromthesnareDarkdoubthadsettotakeme。
LOCRINE。
Wiltthouswear—Bywhatthouwiltsoever——bythesunThatseesus——bythelightofalltheseflowers—
Bythisfullstreamwhosewaveswehearnotrun—
Byallthatisnorminenorthine，butours—
Thatthoudidsteverdoubtindeed？ordreamThatdoubt，whosebreathbidsloveoflovemisdeem，Wereotherthanthechildofhateandhell，Theliarfirst—bornoffalsehood？
ESTRILD。
Nay——Ithink—
Godhelpme！——hardly。Never？canItell？
WhenhalfoursoulandalloursensessinkFromdreamtodreamdowndeathward，slainwithsleep，Howmayfaithholdassurancefast，orkeepHerpowertocastoutfearforlove’ssake？
LOCRINE。
Coulddoubtnotthee，wakingorsleeping。
ESTRILD。
No—
Thouartnotmad。HowshouldthesunlitskyBetraythesun？castoutthesunshine？SoArtthoutomeaslighttoheaven:shouldlightDie，werenotheavenashellandnoonasnight？
AndwhereforeshouldIholdmoredearthanlifeDeath？CouldIlive，andlackthee？Thou，Oking，Hastlandsandlordships——andaroyalwife—
Andruleofseasthattiretheseamew’swing—
Andfameasfarasfamecantravel;I，WhathaveIsavethishomewhereintodie，Exceptthouloveme？Nay，norhomewerethis，Noplacetodieorlivein，wereIsureThoudidstnotloveme。SwearnotbythiskissThatloveliveslonger——faithmaymoreendure—
ThanonepoorkissthatpasseswiththebreathOflipsthatgaveitlifeatonceanddeath。
Whyshouldstthouswear，andwhereforeshouldItrust？
Whendayshalldrivenotnightfromheaven，andnightShallchasenotdaytodeathward，thenshalldustBeconstant——andthestarsendurethesightOfdawnthatshallnotslaythem。
LOCRINE。
Bythineeyes—Turnedstormiernowthanstarsinbare—blownskiesWherethroughthewindringsmenace，——IwillswearNought:soshallfear，mistrust，andjealoushateLiefoodless，ifnotfangless。Thou，sofairThatheavenmightchangefortheethesealoffate，Howdarestthoudoubtthypoweronsoulsofmen？
ESTRILD。
WhatvowswerethosethatwontheeGuendolen？
LOCRINE。
Iswarenotsotoher。Thouknowest—
ESTRILD。
NotI。
ThouknowestthatIknownothing。
LOCRINE。
Nay，IknowThatnothinglivesunderthesweetblueskyWorththysweetheeding，wouldstthouthinkbutso，Savelove——wherewiththouseestthyworldfulfilled。
ESTRILD。
Ay，——wouldIseebutwiththineeyes。
LOCRINE。
Estrild，Estrild！
ESTRILD。
NosoftreiteranceofmynameCansingmysorrowdownthatcomesandgoesAndcolourshopewithfearandlovewithshame。
Rosehastthoucalledme:wereIliketherose，HappierwereIthanwoman:shesurvivesNotbyonehour，likeusoflongerlives，ThesunshelivesinandthelovehegivesAndtakesaway:butwe，whenlovegrowssere，Liveyet，whiletrustinlovenolongerlives，NordrinkforcomfortwiththedyingyearDeath。
LOCRINE。
WouldstthoudrinkforgetfulnessforwineTohealthineheartoflovetowardme？
ESTRILD。
Locrine，Locrine！
LOCRINE。
Thouwouldstnot:donotmockmethen，Sayingoutofevilheart，ineviljest，Thytrustisdeadtomeward。
ESTRILD。
Kingofmen，Wouldstthou，beingonlyofallmenlordliest，Belordofwomen’sthoughtsandlovingfears？
Nay，wertthoulessthanlordofworldsandyears，Ofstarsandsunsandseasons，couldstthoudreamTotakesuchempireonthee？
LOCRINE。
Nay，notI—
NomorethanshethereplayingbesidethestreamToslipwithinastormierstreamanddie。
ESTRILD。
Sherunstoonearthebrink。Sabrina！
LOCRINE。
See，Herhandsarelily—laden:letthembeAflower—sweetsymbolforus。
EnterSABRINA。
SABRINA。
Sire！Osire，Seewhatfreshflowers——youknewnotthesebefore—
Thespringhasbrought，toservemyheart’sdesire，Forthoftheriver’sbarrenbed！nomoreWillIrebukethesebanksforsterileslothWhenspringrestoresthewoodlands。Bymytroth，Ihopednot，whenyoucameagain，tobringSolargeatributeworthsofullasmile。
LOCRINE。
Child！howshouldItotheepaytribute？
ESTRILD。
King，Thouhastnotkissedher。
LOCRINE。
DaremylipsdefileHeaven？Omylove，insightofherandtheeImarvelhowthesunshouldlookonmeAndsparetoturnhisbeamstofire。
ESTRILD。
ThechildHears，andistroubled。
SABRINA。
DidIwrong，tosay’Sire？’butyoubademesayso。Heismild，Andwillnotchideme。Father！
ESTRILD。
Hear’stthou？
LOCRINE。
Yea—
Ihear。IwouldtheworldbeyondoursightWeredeadasworldsforgotten。
ESTRILD。
WouldstthoufrightHer？
LOCRINE。
Hathallsenseforsakenme？Sabrina，Thoudostnotfearme？
SABRINA。
No。ButwhenyoureyesWaxredanddark，withflaughtsoffirebetween，Ifearthem——ortheyfrightme。
LOCRINE。
Wertthouwise，Theywouldnot。NeverhaveIlookedontheeSo。
SABRINA。
Nay——Ifearnotwhatmightfallonme。
Herelaughsmyfather——heremymothersmiles—
Heresmilesandlaughsthewater——whatshouldI
Fear？
LOCRINE。
Noughtmorefearfulthanthewater’swiles—
Whichwhosofearsnoterehefearshalldie。
SABRINA。
Die？andisdeathnolessanillthandread？
Ihadlieferdiethanbenorquicknordead。
Ithinkthereisnodeathbutfearofdeath。
LOCRINE。
OfdeathorlifeoranythingbutloveWhatknowestthou？
SABRINA。
Lessthanthese，mymothersaith—
LessthantheflowersthatseeingallheavenaboveFadeandwaxhoarordarken，losetheirtrustAndleavetheirjoyandlettheirgloriesrustAnddieforfearerewinterwoundthem:weLivenolessgladofsnowtimethanofspring:
Itcannotchangemyfather’sfaceformeNorturnfrommineawaymymother’s。KingTheycallthee:haththykingshipmadetheelessInheightofheartthanweare？
LOCRINE。
No，andyes。
Heresitsmyheartatheightofhersandthine，Laughingforlove:herenotthequiringbirdsSinghigherthansingsmyspirit:IamhereLocrine，Whomnosoundvexeshereofswordsorwords，Nocloudofthoughtorthunder:weremylifeCrownedbutaslordandsireofchildandwife，Thronedbutasprinceofwoodland，bankandbower，Myjoyswerethenimperial，andmystateFirmasastar，thatnowisasaflower。
SABRINA。
Thoushouldstnotthen——ifjoygrowheresogreat—
Partfromus。
LOCRINE。
No:forjoygrowselsewherescant。
SABRINA。
IwouldfainseethetowersofTroynovant。
LOCRINE。
Godkeepthineeyesfulfilledwithsweetersights，Andthisonefromthemever！
SABRINA。
Why？MensayThinehallsarefullofguests，princesandknights，Andlordlymustersofsuperbarray;
Whyarewethencealone，andalway？
ESTRILD。
Peace，Child:letthybabblechangeitsnote，orceaseHere;isthysirenotwiser——byGod’sgrace—
ThanIorthou？
LOCRINE。
WouldstthoutooseefulfilledThefearwhoseshadowfallenonjoy’sfairfaceStrikesitmoresadthansorrow’sown？Estrild，WastthouthenhappiererethiswildwoodshrineHidtheefromhomage，lefttheebutLocrineForworshipperlessworthygraceoftheeThanthosethysometimesuppliants？
ESTRILD。
Nay;mylordTakestoomuchthought——iftonguesringtrue——forme。
LOCRINE。
SuchtonguesringfalserthanabrokenchordWhosejardistunesthemusic。
ESTRILD。
WiltthoustayButthreenightshere？
LOCRINE。
Ihadneedbehencetoday。
ESTRILD。
Go。
SABRINA。
ButIbidtheetarry;whatamI
ThatthoushouldstheednotwhatIbidthee？
LOCRINE。
QueenAndempressmoreimperiousandmorehighAndregentroyallerthantimehathseenAndmightiermistressofthysireandthrall:
YetmustIgo。ButerethenextmoonfallAgainwillIgrowhappy。
ESTRILD。
Whocansay？
LOCRINE。
SomuchcanI——exceptthestarscombineUnseasonablytostayme。
ESTRILD。
LetthemstayThetides，theseasonsrather。Love！Locrine！
Ineverpartedfromthee，norshallpart，Savewithafiremorekeenthanfireatheart:
Butnowthepangthatwringsme，soulandsense，Andturnsfairdaytodarknessdeepashell，Warnsme，thewordthatsealsthypartinghence—
’Farewell’——shallbidusnevermorefarewell。
SABRINA。
Lo！shetoobidstheetarry;dostthounotHear？
LOCRINE。
MightIchoose，smallneedwerehers，Godwot，Orthine，tobidmetarry。WhenIcomeAgain—
SABRINA。
Thoushaltnotseeme:IwillhideFromsightofsuchasire——orbowdowndumbBeforehim——strongandhardasheinpride—
Andsothoushaltnothearme。
LOCRINE。
Whocantell？
SonowsayI。
ESTRILD。
Godkeepmylord！
LOCRINE。
Farewell。
[Exeunt。
SCENEII。——Troynovant。ARoominthePalace。
EnterGUENDOLENandMADAN。
GUENDOLEN。
Comeclose，andlookuponme。Childorman，—
Iknownothowtocallthee，beingmychild，Whoknownothowmyselfamcalled，norcan—
Godwitness——telltheewhatshouldshebestyledWhobearsthebrandandburdensetonherThatmanhathsetonme——thelandsarewildWhencelateIbadetheehither，swiftofspurAshethatridestoguardhismother’slife;
Thouhastfoundnoughtloathlierthere，noughthate—fullerInallthewildsthatseethewithfluctuantstrife，Thanherebesetsthineadvent。Son，ifthouBesonofmine，andIthyfather’swife—
MADAN。
Ifheavenbeheaven，andGodbeGod。
GUENDOLEN。
AsnowWeknownotiftheybe。Givemethinehand。
Thouhastmineeyesbeneaththyfather’sbrow，—
Andthereforebearsitnotthetraitor’sbrand。
Swear——ButIwouldnotbidtheeswearinvainNorbindtheeerethineownsoulunderstand，Erethineownheartbemoltenwithmypain，TodosuchworkforbitterloveofmeAshaply，knowingmyheart，thouwertnotfain—
Eventhou——totakeuponthee——bindonthee—
Setallthysoultodoordie。
MADAN。
Iswear。
GUENDOLEN。
Andthoughthousworestnot，yetthethingshouldbe。
TheburdenfoundformesosoretobearWhyshouldIlayonanyhandbutmine，Orbidthineowntakeparttherein，andwearAfather’sblooduponit——here——forsign？
Ay，nowthoupluck’stitforthofherstowhomThousworestandgavestitplighted。OLocrine，Thyseeditwasthatsprangwithinmywomb，Thine，andnoneother——traitorbornandliar，False—faced，false—tongued——thefireofhellconsumeMe，thee，andhimforever！
MADAN。
HathmysireWrongedthee？
GUENDOLEN。
Thysire？mylord？theflowerofmen？
How？
MADAN。
Forthytonguewastippedbutnowwithfire—
Withfireofhell——againsthim。
GUENDOLEN。
Now，andthen，Aretwain;thouknowestnotwomen，howtheirtongueTakesfire，andstraightlearnspatience:GuendolenIstherenomorethancrownlesswoman，wrungAtheartwithanguish，andinutterancemadAseventhemeanestwhomasnakehathstungSoneartheheartthatallthepulseithadGrowspalpitatingpoison。WiltthouknowWhence？
MADAN。
CouldIhealit，thenmineownwereglad。
GUENDOLEN。
Whatthink’stthouwerethebitterestwrong，thewoeLeastbearablebywoman，worstofallThatmanmightlayuponher？Nay，thouartslow:
Speak:thoughthouspeakbutfolly。Silent？CallTomindwhatsothouhasteverheardofillMostmonstrous，thatshouldturntofireandgallThemilkandbloodofmaidormother——stillThoushaltnotfind，Ithink，whathehathdone—
WhatIendure，anddienot。FormywillItisthatholdsmeyetalive，Oson，Tillallmywrongbewroken，heretokeepFastwatch，alivingsoulbeforethesun，Anhungeredandathirstfornightandsleep，ThatwillnotslaketheravinofherthirstNorquenchherfireofhunger，tillshereapTheharvestlovedofallmen，lastasfirst—
Vengeance。
MADAN。
Whatwrongisthishehathdonethee？WordsAreedgelessweapons:liveweblestorcurst，NojotthemoreofevilorgoodengirdsThelifewithbitterestcursescompassedroundOrgirtaboutwithblessing。HindsandherdsWagethreatsandbrawlandwrangle:windandsoundSufficetheirsoulsforvengeance:werequireDeeds，andtillplacefortheseandtimebefoundSilence。Whatbidstheebidmeslaymysire？
GUENDOLEN。
Ipraisethegodsthatgavemethee:thineheartIsnoneofhis，nochangeling’sindesire，Nocoward’saswhobegatthee:minethouartAll，andmineonly。Lendmenowthineear:
Thouknowest—
MADAN。
WhatanguishholdsthylipsapartAndstrikestheesilent？AmIboundtohearWhatthoutospeakartboundnot？