GUENDOLEN。
AndGodshallmakethinehandagainsthimstrong。
LOCRINE。
Ay:whenthehearthsteadflames，therooftakesfire。
GUENDOLEN。
Woeworthhishandwhosetthehearthonflame！
LOCRINE。
Cursenotourfathers;thoughthyfiercedesireDrivethineownsonagainsthisfather，shameShouldreinthytonguefromspeechtooshameless。
GUENDOLEN。
Ay！
Andthou，myholy—heartedlord，——thesameWhosehandwaslaidinmineandboundtolieTherefastforeveriffaithbefoundonearth—
Iftruthbetrue，andshamenotwhollydie—
Hastthounotmadethymockeryandthymirth，Thylaughterandthyscorn，ofshame？Butwe，Thywifebywedlock，andthysonbybirth，Whohavenopartinspiritandsoulwiththee，WillbearnopartinkingdomnorinlifeWithonewhohathputtoshamehischildandme。
Thytrue—bornson，andIthatwasthywife，Willseetheedeadorperish。CallthymenAboutthee;bidthemgirdtheirloinsforstrifeMoredirethantheirswhostormthewildwolf’sden;
ForifthoudarenotslayusheretodayThouartdead。
LOCRINE。
ThouknowestIdarenot，Guendolen，DarewhattheravenousbeastswhoselifeispreyDreamnotofdoing，thoughdrunkwithbloodshed。
GUENDOLEN。
No:
Thouartgentle，andbeastsarehonest:nosuchwayLiesopentowardthyfearfulfoot:notsoShaltthoufindsuretyfromthesefoesofthine。
Woeworththeetherefore！yea，asevenfoldwoeShallGodthroughusraindownonthee，Locrine。
HadstthoutheheartGodhathnotgiventhee——thenOurbloodmightrunbeforethyfeetlikewineAndwashthywaytowardsininsightofmenSmooth，soft，andsafe。Butifthousheditnot—
IfMadanlivetolookonGuendolenLiving——Iwotnotwhatshallbe——IwotWhatshallnot——thoushalthavenojoytoliveMorethanhavetheyforwhomGod’swrathgrowshot。
LOCRINE。
God’sgraceisnosuchgiftasthoucanstgive，Queen，orwithhold。Farewell。
GUENDOLEN。
IdarenotsayFarewell。
LOCRINE。
Andwhy？
GUENDOLEN。
Thouhastnotsaid——Forgive。
LOCRINE。
Isayit——Ihavesaid。Thouwiltnothearme？
GUENDOLEN。
Nay。
[Exeunt。
ACTV。
SCENEI。——FieldsneartheSevern。
EnterononesideLOCRINEandhisarmy:ontheothersideGUENDOLEN，MADAN，andtheirarmy。
LOCRINE。
Standfast，andsoundaparley。
MADAN。
Halt:itseemsTheywouldhaveratherspeechthanstrokesofus。
LOCRINE。
Thislightofdawnislikeanevildream’sThatcomesandgoesandisnot。Yea，andthusOurhopeonbothsideswaveringdaresallowNolightbutfiretobidusdieorlive。
—Son，andmywifethatwas，myrebelsnow，ThatherewestandwithdeathtotakeorgiveIcallthesunofheaven，God’slikenesswroughtOndarkness，whenceallspiritsbreatheandshine，Towitness，isnoworkofwillorthoughtConceivedorbredinbrainorheartofmine。
Yehaveleviedwarsagainstme，andcompelledMywillunwillingandmypowerwithheldTostrikethestrokeIwouldnot，whenImight。
Willyenotyettakethought，andsparethesemenWhomelsetheblindandburningfireoffightMustfeeduponforpasture？Guendolen，HadInotlefttheequeeninTroynovant，Thoughwifenomoreofmine，inallthislandNohandhadrisen，noeyehadglaredaskant，Againstme:thineiseachman’sheartandhandThatburnsandstrikesinallthisbattleraisedToserveandslakethyvengeance。WithmysonIpleadnot，seeinghispraiseinarmsdispraisedForever，andhisdeedsoftruthundoneBypatricidaltreason。ButwiththeePeacewouldIhave，ifpeaceagainmaybeBetweenus。BloodbywrathunnaturalshedOrspentincivicbattleburnsthelandWhereonitfallslikefire，andbrandsasredTheconqueror’sforeheadasthewarrior’shand。
Ipraythee，sparethispeople:reigninpeaceWithseparatehonoursinaseveralstate:
Aslovethatwashathceased，lethatredcease:
LetnotourpersonalcausebemadethefateThatdamnstodeathmeninnocent，andturnsThejoyoflifetodarkness。ThinealoneIsallthiswar:toslaketheflamethatburnsThushighshouldcrowntheeroyal，andenthroneThypraiseinallmen’smemories。Ifthouwilt，Peacelettherebe:ifnot，bethinetheguilt。
GUENDOLEN。
Mine？Hearit，heaven，——andmen，bearwitness！MineThetreacherythathathrentourrealmintwain—
Mine，minetheadulteroustreason。NotLocrine，Nothe，foundloyaltomyloveinvain，HathbroughtthecivicswordandfireofstrifeOnBritishfieldsandhomesteads，clothedwithjoy，Crownedwithcontentandcomfort:I，hiswife，HavebroughtonTroynovantthefiresofTroy。
HeliftshisheadbeforethesunofheavenAndswearsit——lies，andlives。IsGod’sbrightswordBroken，wherewiththegatesofTroy——thesevenStronggatesthatgodswhobuiltthemheldinward—
Werebrokenevenaswattledreedswithfire？
Son，bywhatnameshallhonourcallthysire？
MADAN。
HowlongshallIandallthesemail—cladmenStandandgiveear，orgapeandcatchatflies，Whileyewagewarringwordsthatwoundnot？WhenHaveIbeenfoundofyousowordy—wiseThatthouorheshouldcalltocounseloneSoslowofspeechandwitasthouandhe，Whoknowmyhandnosluggard，knowyourson？
Tillspeechbeclothediniron，bidnotmeSpeak。
LOCRINE。
Yethespeaksnotill。
GUENDOLEN。
DidInotknowMinehonourperfectasthyshame，Locrine，NowmightIsay，andturntopridemywoe，Mineonlywerethisboy，andnoneofthine。
ButwhatthoumayestImaynot。WherearetheyWhoridenotwiththeirlordandsiretoday？
ThysecretScythianandyourchangelingchild，WherehidetheynowtheirheadsthatlurknothiddenTherewherethytreasondeemedthemsafe，andsmiled？
Whenarmswerelevied，andthyservantsbiddenAbouttheetowithstandthedoomofmenWhoseloyalangersflameduponoursideAgainstthee，fromthysmooth—skinnedshe—wolf’sdenHerwhelpandshesoughtcovertunespied，Butnotfromtheefaroff。ThouhastbornthemhitherForrefugeinthiswestthatstandsfortheeAgainstourcause，whoseverynameshouldwitherTheheartsofthemthathateit。Whereisshe？
Hathshenothearttokeepthyside？orthou，DostthouthinkshametostandbesidehernowAndbidherlookuponthysonandwife？
Nay，sheshouldrideatthyrighthandandlaughToseesofairalordlyfieldofstrifeShineforhersake，whoselipsthylovebidsquaffForpledgeoftrustlesstroththebloodofmen。
LOCRINE。
ShouldInotputherinthinehandtoslay？
Hellhathlaidholduponthee，Guendolen，Andturnedthinehearttohell—fire。BethypreyThyself，thewolfishhuntress:andthebloodRestonthineheadthathereshallnowbespilt。
GUENDOLEN。
Letitrunbroaderthanthiswater’sfloodSwellsafterstorm，itshallnotcleansethyguilt。
Givenowthewordofcharge;andGoddorightBetweenusinthefierycourtsoffight。
[Exeunt。
SCENEII。——ThebanksoftheSevern。
EnterESTRILDandSABRINA。
SABRINA。
Whenwillmyfathercomeagain？
ESTRILD。
Godknows，Sweet。
SABRINA。
Hastthouseenhowwidethiswaterflows—
Howsmoothitswellsandshinesfrombrimtobrim，Howfair，howfull？Nay，thenthineeyesaredim。
ThoudostnotweepforfearlestevilmenOrthatmoreevilwoman——GuendolenDidstthounotcallheryesternightbyname？—
Shouldputmyfather’smightinarmstoshame？
WhatisshesotolevyshamefulstrifeAgainstmysireandthee？
ESTRILD。
Hiswife！hiswife！
SABRINA。
Why，thatartthou。
ESTRILD
Woeworthme！
SABRINA。
Nay，woeworthHerwickedness！HowmaytheheavensandearthEndureher？
ESTRILD。
Heavenisfire，andearthasword，Againstus。
SABRINA。
MaythewifewithstandherlordAndwaruponhim？Nay，nowifeisshe—
Andnotruemotherthoutomockatme。
ESTRILD。
Yea，notruewifeormother，child，amI。
Yet，child，thoushouldstnotsayit——andbidmedie。
SABRINA。
IbidtheeliveandlaughatwickedfoesEvenasmysireandIdo。What！’Godknows，’
Thousayest，andyetartfearful？IshenotRighteous，thatweshouldfeartotakethelotForthofhishandthatdealsit？Andmysire，Kindasthesuninheaven，andstrongasfire，HathhenotGoduponhissideandours，Evenallthegodsandstarsandalltheirpowers？
ESTRILD。
Iknownot。FateatsightoftheeshouldbreakHiscovenant——doomgrowgentleforthysake。
SABRINA。
Wherefore？
ESTRILD。
Becausethouknowestnotwherefore。Child，Mydaysweredarkened，andthewayswerewildWherethroughmydarkdoomledmetowardthisend，EreIbeheldthysire，mylord，myfriend，Myking，mystay，mysaviour。LetthinehandLiestillinmine。Thoucanstnotunderstand，YetwouldItelltheesomewhat。EreIknewIfaughtofevilorgoodwerefalseortrue，Ifaughtoflifewereworthourhopeorfear，Therefellonmethefatethatsetsushere。
Forinmyfather’skingdomoversea—
SABRINA。
ThouwastnotborninBritain？
ESTRILD。
Woeisme，No:happierhaphadmineperchancebeenthen。
SABRINA。
AndwasnotI？Aretheseallstrangermen？
ESTRILD。
Ay，wastthou，child——aBritonborn:GodgiveThynamethegraceonBritishtonguestolive！
SABRINA。
IsthatsogoodagiftofGod’s——todieAndleaveanamealiveinmemory？I
Wouldratherlivethisriver’slife，andbeHeldofnolessormoreaccountthanhe。
Lo，howhelivesandlaughs！andhathnoname，Thousayest——oroneforgottenevenoffameThatlivesonpoormen’slipsandfaltersdownTonothing。Butthyfather？andhiscrown？
Didhelesshatethecoilofitthanmine，Orlovetheeless——nay，thenhewerenotthine—
Thanhe，mysire，lovesme？
ESTRILD。
AndwiltthouhearAll？Child，mychild，lovebornoflove，moredearThanverylovewasever！Hearkenthen。
Thisplague，thisfire，thathuntsus——Guendolen—
WasweddedtothysireereIandheCastevereyesoneither。Woeisme！
Thoucanstnotdream，sweet，whatmysoulwouldsayAndnotaffrightthee。
SABRINA。
Thouaffrightme？Nay，Mocknot。Thisevilwoman——whenheknewThee，thismysweetgoodmother，wiseandtrue—
Hecastfromhimandhated。
ESTRILD。
Yea——andnowForthatshallhaplyheandIandthouDie。
SABRINA。
Whatisdeath？IneversawhisfaceThatIshouldfearit。
ESTRILD。
WhethergrieforgraceOrcurseorblessingbreathefromit，andgiveAughtworseorbetterthanthelifewelive，Iknownomorethanthouknowest;perchance，Less。Whenwesleep，theysay，orfallintrance，Wedieawhile。Wellspakethineinnocentbreath—
ITHINKTHEREISNODEATHBUTFEAROFDEATH。
SABRINA。
DidIsaythis？butthatwaslongago—
Months。NowIknownot——yetIthinkIknow—
WhetherIfearorfearnotit。HardbyMenfightevennow——theystrikeandkillanddieRed—handed;nay，weheartheroarandseeThelightningofthebattle:canitbeThatwhatnosoulofallthesebravemenfearsShouldsoundsofearfulsaveinfoolishears？
ButallthiswhileIknownotwhereitlay，Thyfather’skingdom。
ESTRILD。
FarfromhereawayItliesbeyondthewidewastewater’sboundThatclaspswithbitterwavesthissweetlandround。
Thouhastseenthegreatseanever，norcanstdreamHowfairerfarthanearth’smostlordlystreamItrollsitsroyalwatershereandthere，Mostgloriousbornofallthingsanywhere，Mostfatefulandmostgodlike;fittomakeMenlovelifebetterforthesweetsight’ssakeAndlessfeardeathifdeathforthemshouldbeShrinedinthesacredsplendoursoftheseaAsGodinheavensmidmystery。NightanddayForthofmytower—girthomesteadwouldIstrayTogazethereonasthouuponthebrightSoftriverwhencethysoultooklessdelightThanmineoftheoutersea，albeitIknowHowgreatthyjoywasofit。Now——forsoThehighgodswilleditshouldbe——onceatmornStrangementherelandingboremethenceforlornAcrossthewanwildwatersintheirbark，Iwistnotwhere，throughchangeoflightanddark，Tilltheirfiercelord，thesonofspoilandstrife，Mademebyforcefulmarriage—riteshiswife。
Thensailedtheytowardthewhiteandflower—sweetstrandWhosefreefolkfollowonthyfather’shand，Andwarredagainsthim，slayinghisbrother:andheHurledalltheirforcebackhurtlingtowardthesea，Andslewmylordtheirking;butmehegaveGrace，andreceivednotasawanderingslave，Butonewhomseeinghelovedforpity:whyShouldelseasadstrangewomansuchasI
Findinhisfairsightfavour？andformeHebuiltthebowerwhereinIbarehimthee，Andwhencebutnowhehathbroughtuswestward，hereToabidetheextremeofutmosthopeorfear。
Andcomewhatendmayever，deathorlife，Iliveordie，iftruthbetruth，hiswife;
AndnonebutIandthou，thoughdaywaxdim，Thoughnightgrowstrong，hathanypartinhim。
SABRINA。
Whatshouldwefear，then？whencemightanyFallonus？
ESTRILD。
Ah！Ahme！Godanswershere。
EnterLOCRINE，wounded。
LOCRINE。
Praisedbethegodswhohavebroughtmesafe——todieBesidethee。Nay，butkneelnot——rise，andflyEredeathtakeholdontheetoo。BidthechildKissme。Thewaysallroundarewideandwild—
Yemaywinsafeaway。Theydeemedmedead—
Mylastfriendsleft——whosawmefallen，andfledNoshameistheirs——theyfoughttotheend。Butye，Fly:notyourlovecankeepmylifeinme—
Noteventhesightandsenseofyousonear。
SABRINA。
Howcanwefly，father？
ESTRILD。
Shewouldnotfear—
Thyverychildisshe——noheartlesshighThanthinesustainsher——andwewillnotfly。
LOCRINE。
Soshalltheirworkbeperfect。Yea，IknowOurfateisfallenuponus，anditswoe。
Yethavewelackednotgladness——andthisendIsnotsohard。Wehavehadsweetlifetofriend，Andfindnotdeathourenemy。AllmenbornDie，andbutfewfindeveningonewithmornAsIdo，seeingthesunofallmylifeLightenmydeathinsightofchildandwife。
Iwouldnotliveagaintolosethatkiss，Anddiesomedeathnothalfsosweetasthis。
[Dies。
ESTRILD。
Thouthought’sttocleaveintwainmylifeandTocastmyhandawayindeath，Locrine？
Seenowifdeathhavedrawntheefarfromme！
[Stabsherself。
SABRINA。
Thoudiest，andhastnotslainme，mother？
ESTRILD。
Thee？
Forgiveme，child！andsomaytheyforgive。
[Dies。
SABRINA。
Omother，canstthoudieandbidmelive？
EnterGUENDOLEN，MADAN，andSoldiers。
GUENDOLEN。
Dead？Ah！mytraitorwithhisharlotfledHellward？
MADAN。
Theirchildisleftthee。
GUENDOLEN。
She！notdead？
SABRINA。
Thouhastslainmymotherandsire——thouhastslainthylord—
Strikenow，andslayme。
GUENDOLEN。
Smiteherwiththysword。
MADAN。
IknownotifIdare。Idarenot。
GUENDOLEN。
ShameConsumethee！——Thou——whatcallthey，girl，thyname？
DaughterofEstrild，——daughterofLocrine，—
Daughterofdeathanddarkness！
SABRINA。
Yetnotthine。
Darknessanddeatharecomeonus，andthou，Whoseservantsarethey:heavenbehindtheenowStands，andwithholdsthethunder:yetonmeHegivestheenot，whohelpsandcomfortsthee，Powerforonehourofdarkness。ErethinehandCanputforthpowertoslaymewhereIstandSafeshallIsleepasthesethatherelieslain。
GUENDOLEN。
Shedaresnot——thoughtheheartinherbefain，Thefleshdrawsbackforfear。Shedaresnot。
SABRINA。
See！
IchangenomoreofwarringwordswiththeeOfather，Omymother，hereamI:
Theyhurtmenotwhocanbutbidmedie。
[Sheleapsintotheriver。
GUENDOLEN。
Saveher！Godpardonme！
MADAN。
ThewaterwhirlsDownoutofsighthertenderface，andhurlsHersoftlightlimbstodeathward。Godforgive—
Thee，sayestthou，mother？Wouldstthoubidherlive？
GUENDOLEN。
Whathavewedone？
MADAN。
Theworkwecametodo。
ThatGod，thousaid’st，shouldstandforjudgeofyouWhosejudgmentsmotewithmortalfireandswordTroy，forsuchcauseasbadetheeslaythylord。
Now，asbetweenhisfathersandtheirfoesThelordofgodsdealtjudgment，wingedwithwoesAndgirtaboutwithruin，hathhesentOnthesedestruction。
GUENDOLEN。
Yea。
MADAN。
Artthoucontent？
GUENDOLEN。
Thegodsarewisewholeadus——nowtosmite，Andnowtospare:wedwellbutintheirsighAndworkbutwhattheirwillis。WhathathbeenIspast。Butthese，thatoncewerekingandqueen，Thesun，thatfeedsondeath，shallnotconsumeNaked。NotIwouldsundertombfromtombOfthesetwainfoesofmine，indeathmadeone—
I，thatwhendarknesshidesmefromthesunShallsleepalone，withnonetorestbyme。
Butthou——thisonetimemoreIlookonthee—
Fairface，bravehand，weakheartthatwastnotmine—
Sleepsound——andGodbegoodtothee，Locrine。
Iwasnot。ShewasfairasheaveninspringWhomthoudidstloveindeed。Sleep，queenandking，Forgiven;andif——Godknows——beingdead，yelive，Andkeepremembranceyetofme——forgive。
[Exeunt。]