INTRODUCTORYNOTE
ROBERTBROWNINGstands，inrespecttohisoriginandhiscareer，inmarkedcontrasttothetwoaristocraticpoetsbesidewhosedramashis\"Blotinthe’Scutcheon\"ishereprinted。HisfatherwasabankclerkandadissenteratatimewhendissentmeantexclusionfromSociety；thepoetwentneithertooneofthegreatpublicschoolsnortoOxfordorCambridge；andnobreathofscandaltouchedhisname。
BorninLondonin1812，hewaseducatedlargelybyprivatetutors，andspenttwoyearsatLondonUniversity，buttheinfluenceofhisfather，amanofwidereadingandcultivatedtastes，wasprobablythemostimportantelementinhisearlytraining。Hedrewwell，wassomethingofamusician，andwroteversesfromanearlyage，thoughitwastheaccidentalreadingofavolumeofShelleywhichfirstkindledhisrealinspiration。Thisindebtednessisbeautifullyacknowledgedinhisfirstpublishedpoem，\"Pauline\"
（1833）。
ApartfromfrequentvisitstoItaly，thereislittleofincidenttochronicleinBrowning’slife，withtheonegreatexceptionofhismorethanfortunatemarriagein1846toElizabethBarrett，thegreatestofEnglishpoetesses。
Browning’sdramaticperiodextendedfrom1835tothetimeofhismarriage，andproducedsomenineplays，notallofwhich，however，wereintendedforthestage。\"Paracelsus，\"thefirstoftheseries，hasbeenfairlydescribedasa\"conversationaldrama，\"and\"PippaPasses，\"thoughithasbeenstaged，isessentiallyapoemtoread。Thehistoricaltragedyof\"Strafford\"hasbeenimpressivelyperformed，but\"KingVictorandKingCharles，\"\"TheReturnoftheDruses，\"\"Colombe’sBirthday，\"\"ASoul’sTragedy，\"and\"Luria，\"
whileinterestinginmanyways，canhardlyberegardedassuccessfulstage—plays。\"ABlotinthe’Scutcheon\"wasperformedatDruryLane，butitschancesofasuccessfulrunwerespoiledbythejealousyofMacready，themanager。
ThemaincauseofBrowning’sweaknessasaplaywrightlayinthefactthathewassomuchmoreinterestedinpsychologythaninaction。
Butinthepresenttragedythisdefectislessprominentthanusual，andinspiteofflawsinconstruction，itreachesahighpitchofemotionalintensity，thecharactersaredrawnwithvividness，andthelinesarerichinpoetry。
ABLOTINTHE’SCUTCHEON
ATRAGEDY
（1843）
DRAMATISPERSONAE
MILDREDTRESHAM。
GUENDOLENTRESHAM。
THOROLD，EarlTresham。
AUSTINTRESHAM。
HENRY，EarlMertoun。
GERARD，andotherretainersofLordTresham。
Time，17——
ACTI
SCENEI。——TheInteriorofaLodgeinLordTresham’sPark。
ManyRetainerscrowdedatthewindow，supposedtocommandaviewoftheentrancetohisMansion。
GERARD，theWarrener，hisbacktoatableonwhichareflagons，etc。
FIRSTRETAINER。Ay，do！push，friends，andthenyou’llpushdownme！
——Whatfor？Doesanyheararunner’sfootOrasteed’strampleoracoach—wheel’scry？
IstheEarlcomeorhisleastpoursuivant？
Butthere’snobreedinginamanofyouSaveGerardyonder:here’sahalf—placeyet，OldGerard！
GERARD。Saveyourcourtesies，myfriend。Hereismyplace。
SECONDRETAINER。Now，Gerard，outwithit！
Whatmakesyousullen，thisofallthedaysI’theyear？To—daythatyoungrichbountifulHandsomeEarlMertoun，whomalonetheymatchWithourLordTreshamthroughthecountry—side，IscominghereinutmostbraveryToaskourmaster’ssister’shand？
GERARD。Whatthen？
SECONDRETAINER。Whatthen？Why，you，shespeaksto，ifshemeetsYourworship，smilesonasyouholdapartTheboughstoletherthroughherforestwalks，You，alwaysfavouriteforyourno—deserts，You’veheard，thesethreedays，howEarlMertounsuesTolayhisheartandhouseandbroadlandstooAtLadyMildred’sfeet:andwhilewesqueezeOurselvesintoamouseholelestwemissOnecongeeoftheleastpageinhistrain，Yousito’oneside——\"there’stheEarl，\"sayI——
\"Whatthen？\"sayyou！
THIRDRETAINER。I’llwagerhehasletBothswanshetamedforLadyMildredswimOverthefallsandgaintheriver！
GERARD。Ralph，Isnotto—morrowmyinspecting—dayForyouandforyourhawks？
FOURTHRETAINER。LetGerardbe！
He’scoarse—grained，likehiscarvedblackcross—bowstock。
Ha，looknow，whilewesquabblewithhim，look！
Welldone，now——isnotthisbeginning，now，Topurpose？
FIRSTRETAINER。Ourretainerslookasfine——
That’scomfort。Lord，howRichardholdshimselfWithhiswhitestaff！WillnotaknavebehindPrickhimupright？
FOURTHRETAINER。He’sonlybowing，fool！
TheEarl’smanbentuslowerbythismuch。
FIRSTRETAINER。That’scomfort。Here’saverycavalcade！
THIRDRETAINER。Idon’tseewhereforeRichard，andhistroopOfsilkandsilvervarletsthere，shouldfindTheirperfumedselvessoindispensableOnhighdays，holidays！WoulditsodisgraceOurfamily，ifI，forinstance，stood——
InmyrighthandacastofSwedishhawks，Aleashofgreyhoundsinmyleft？——
GERARD。——WithHughThelogmanforsupporter，inhisrightThebill—hook，inhisleftthebrushwood—shears！
THIRDRETAINER。Outonyou，crab！Whatnext，whatnext？TheEarl！
FIRSTRETAINER。OhWalter，groom，ourhorses，dotheymatchTheEarl’s？Alas，thatfirstpairofthesix——
Theypawtheground——AhWalter！andthatbruteJustonhishaunchesbythewheel！
SIXTHRETAINER。Ay——ay！
You，Philip，areaspecialhand，Ihear，Atsoupsandsauces:what’sahorsetoyou？
D’yemarkthatbeastthey’veslidintothemidstSocunningly？——then，Philip，markthisfurther；
Noleghashetostandon！
FIRSTRETAINER。No？that’scomfort。
SECONDRETAINER。Peace，Cook！TheEarldescends。Well，Gerard，seeTheEarlatleast！Come，there’saproperman，Ihope！Why，Ralph，nofalcon，PoleorSwede，Hasgotastarriereye。
THIRDRETAINER。Hiseyesareblue:
Butleavemyhawksalone！
FOURTHRETAINER。Soyoung，andyetSotallandshapely！
FIFTHRETAINER。Here’sLordTresham’sself！
Therenow——there’swhatanoblemanshouldbe！
He’solder，graver，loftier，he’smorelikeAHouse’shead。
SECONDRETAINER。Butyou’dnothaveaboy——Andwhat’stheEarlbeside？——possesstoosoonThatstateliness？
FIRSTRETAINER。Ourmastertakeshishand——
Richardandhiswhitestaffareonthemove——
Backfallourpeople——（tsh！——there’sTimothySuretogettangledinhisribbon—ties，AndPeter’scursedrosette’sa—comingoff！）
——AtlastIseeourlord’sbackandhisfriend’s；
AndthewholebeautifulbrightcompanyCloseroundthem——intheygo！
[Jumpingdownfromthewindow—bench，andmakingforthetableanditsjugs。]
Goodhealth，longlife，GreatjoytoourLordTreshamandhisHouse！
SIXTHRETAINER。Myfatherdrovehisfatherfirsttocourt，Afterhismarriage—day——ay，didhe！
SECONDRETAINER。GodblessLordTresham，LadyMildred，andtheEarl！
Here，Gerard，reachyourbeaker！
GERARD。Drink，myboys！
Don’tmindme——all’snotrightaboutme——drink！
SECONDRETAINER[aside]。
He’svexed，now，thathelettheshowescape！
[ToGERARD。]
RememberthattheEarlreturnsthisway。
GERARD。Thatway？
SECONDRETAINER。Justso。
GERARD。Thenmyway’shere。
[Goes。]
SECONDRETAINER。OldGerardWilldiesoon——mind，Isaidit！HewasusedTocareaboutthepitifullestthingThattouchedtheHouse’shonour，notaneyeButhiscouldseewherein:andonacauseOfscarceaquarterthisimportance，GerardFairlyhadfrettedfleshandboneawayIncaresthatthiswasright，northatwaswrong，Suchpointdecorous，andsuchsquarebyrule——
Heknewsuchniceties，noheraldmore:
Andnow——youseehishumour:diehewill！
SECONDRETAINER。Godhelphim！Who’sforthegreatservants’hallTohearwhat’sgoingoninside！They’dfollowLordTreshamintothesaloon。
THIRDRETAINER。I！——
FOURTHRETAINER。I！——
LeaveFrankaloneforcatching，atthedoor，Somehintofhowtheparleygoesinside！
ProsperitytothegreatHouseoncemore！
Here’sthelastdrop！
FIRSTRETAINER。Haveatyou！Boys，hurrah！
SCENEII。——ASaloonintheMansionEnterLORDTRESHAM，LORDMERTOUN，AUSTIN，andGUENDOLEN
TRESHAM。Iwelcomeyou，LordMertoun，yetoncemore，Tothisancestralroofofmine。Yourname——Nobleamongthenoblestinitself，Yettakinginyourperson，fameavers，Newpriceandlustre，——（asthatgemyouwear，Transmittedfromahundredknightlybreasts，Freshchasedandsetandfixedbyitslastlord，Seemstore—kindleatthecore）——yournameWouldwinyouwelcome！——
MERTOUN。Thanks！
TRESHAM。——Butaddtothat，TheworthinessandgraceanddignityOfyourproposalforunitingbothOurHousesevencloserthanrespectUnitesthemnow——addthese，andyoumustgrantOnefavourmore，northattheleast，——tothinkThewelcomeIshouldgive；——’tisgiven！Mylord，Myonlybrother，Austin:he’stheking’s。
Ourcousin，LadyGuendolen——betrothedToAustin:allareyours。
MERTOUN。Ithankyou——lessFortheexpressedcommendingswhichyourseal，Andonlythat，authenticates——forbidsMyputtingfromme……tomyheartItakeYourpraise……butpraiselessclaimsmygratitude，ThantheindulgentinsightitimpliesOfwhatmustneedsbeuppermostwithoneWhocomes，likeme，withthebareleavetoask，Inweighedandmeasuredunimpassionedwords，Agift，which，ifascalmly’tisdenied，Hemustwithdraw，contentuponhischeek，Despairwithinhissoul。ThatIdareaskFirmly，nearboldly，nearwithconfidenceThatgift，Ihavetothankyou。Yes，LordTresham，Iloveyoursister——asyou’dhaveoneloveThatlady……ohmore，moreIloveher！Wealth，Rank，alltheworldthinksme，they’reyours，youknow，Toholdorpartwith，atyourchoice——butgrantMytrueself，mewithoutaroodofland，Apieceofgold，anameofyesterday，Grantmethatlady，andyou……Deathorlife？
GUENDOLEN。[aparttoAUSTIN]。Why，thisisloving，Austin！
AUSTIN。He’ssoyoung！
GUENDOLEN。Young？Oldenough，Ithink，tohalfsurmiseHeneverhadobtainedanentrancehere，Wereallthisfearandtremblingneeded。
AUSTIN。Hush！
Hereddens。
GUENDOLEN。Markhim，Austin；that’struelove！
Oursmustbeginagain。
TRESHAM。We’llsit，mylord。
Everwithbestdesertgoesdiffidence。
ImayspeakplainlynorbemisconceivedThatIamwhollysatisfiedwithyouOnthisoccasion，whenafalcon’seyeWeredullcomparedwithminetosearchoutfaults，Issomewhat。Mildred’shandisherstogiveOrtorefuse。
MERTOUN。Butyou，yougrantmysuit？
Ihaveyourwordifhers？
TRESHAM。MybestofwordsIfhersencourageyou。Itrustitwill。
HaveyouseenLadyMildred，bytheway？
MERTOUN。I……I……ourtwodemesnes，remember，touch，IhavebeerusedtowandercarelesslyAftermystrickengame:theheronrousedDeepinmywoods，hastraileditsbrokenwingThro’thicksandgladesamileinyours，——orelseSomeeyassill—reclaimedhastakenflightAndluredmeafterherfromtreetotree，Imarkednotwhither。IhavecomeuponThelady’swondrousbeautyunaware，And——andthen……Ihaveseenher。
GUENDOLEN[asidetoAUSTIN]。NotethatmodeOffalteringoutthat，whenaladypassed，He，havingeyes，didseeher！Youhadsaid——
\"OnsuchadayIscannedher，headtofoot；
Observedared，whereredshouldnothavebeen，Outsideherelbow；butwaspleasedenoughUponthewhole。\"LetsuchirreverenttalkBelessonedforthefuture！
TRESHAM。What’stosayMaybesaidbriefly。ShehasneverknownAmother’scare；Istandforfathertoo。
Herbeautyisnotstrangetoyou，itseems——
Youcannotknowthegoodandtenderheart，Itsgirl’strustanditswoman’sconstancy，Howpureyetpassionate，howcalmyetkind，Howgraveyetjoyous，howreservedyetfreeAslightwherefriendsare——howimbuedwithloreTheworldmostprizes，yetthesimplest，yetThe……onemightknowItalkedofMildred——thusWebrotherstalk！
MERTOUN。Ithankyou。
TRESHAM。Inaword，Control’snotforthislady；butherwishTopleasemeoutstripsinitssubtletyMypowerofbeingpleased:herselfcreatesThewantshemeanstosatisfy。MyheartPrefersyoursuittoheras’twereitsown。
CanIsaymore？
MERTOUN。Nomore——thanks，thanks——nomore！
TRESHAM。Thismatterthendiscussed……
MERTOUN。——We’llwastenobreathOnaughtlessprecious。I’mbeneaththeroofWhichholdsher:whileIthoughtofthat，myspeechToyouwouldwander——asitmustnotdo，SinceasyoufavourmeIstandorfall。
IprayyousufferthatItakemyleave！
TRESHAM。Withlessregret’tissuffered，thatagainWemeet，Ihope，soshortly。
MERTOUN。We？again？——
Ahyes，forgiveme——whenshall……youwillcrownYourgoodnessbyforthwithapprisingmeWhen……if……theladywillappointadayFormetowaitonyou——andher。
TRESHAM。SosoonAsIammadeacquaintedwithherthoughtsOnyourproposal——howsoe’ertheylean——
Amessengershallbringyoutheresult。
MERTOUN。Youcannotbindmemoretoyou，mylord。
Farewelltillwerenew……Itrust，renewAconversene’ertodisuniteagain。
TRESHAM。Somayitprove！
MERTOUN。You，lady，you，sir，takeMyhumblesalutation！
GUENDOLENandAUSTIN。Thanks！
TRESHAM。Withinthere！
[Servantsenter。TRESHAMconductsMERTOUNtothedoor。
MeantimeAUSTINremarks，]
Well，HereIhaveanadvantageoftheEarl，Confessnow！I’dnotthinkthatallwassafeBecausemylady’sbrotherstoodmyfriend！
Why，hemakessureofher——\"doyousayyes——
She’llnotsay，no，\"——whatcomesittobeside？
Ishouldhaveprayedthebrother，\"speakthisspeech，ForHeaven’ssakeurgethisonher——putinthis——
Forgetnot，asyou’dsaveme，t’otherthing，——
Thensetdownwhatshesays，andhowshelooks，Andifshesmiles，and\"（inanunderbreath）
\"Onlyletheracceptme，anddoyouAndalltheworldrefuseme，ifyoudare！\"
GUENDOLEN。Thatwayyou’dtake，friendAustin？WhatashameIwasyourcousin，tamelyfromthefirstYourbride，andallthisfervour’sruntowaste！
Doyouknowyouspeaksensiblyto—day？
TheEarl’safool。
AUSTIN。Here’sThorold。Tellhimso！
TRESHAM[returning]。Now，voices，voices！’St！thelady’sfirst！
Howseemshe？——seemshenot……come，faithgivefraudThemercy—strokewhenevertheyengage！
Downwithfraud，upwithfaith！HowseemstheEarl？
Aname！ablazon！ifyouknewtheirworth，Asyouwillnever！come——theEarl？
GUENDOLEN。He’syoung。
TRESHAM。What’sshe？aninfantsaveinheartandbrain。
Young！Mildredisfourteen，remark！Andyou……
Austin，howoldisshe？
GUENDOLEN。There’stactforyou！
ImeantthatbeingyoungwasgoodexcuseIfoneshouldtaxhim……
TRESHAM。Well？
GUENDOLEN。——Withlackingwit。
TRESHAM。Helackedwit？Wheremighthelackwit，sopleaseyou？
GUENDOLEN。Instandingstraighterthanthesteward’srodAndmakingyouthetiresomestharangue，InsteadofslippingovertomysideAndsoftlywhisperinginmyear，\"Sweetlady，YourcousintherewilldomedetrimentHelittledreamsof:he’sabsorbed，Isee，Inmyoldnameandfame——besurehe’llleaveMyMildred，whenhisbestaccountofmeIsended，infullconfidenceIwearMygrandsire’speriwigdowneithercheek。
I’mlostunlessyourgentlenessvouchsafes\"……
TRESHAM……\"Togiveabestofbestaccounts，yourself，Ofmeandmydemerits。\"Youareright！
HeshouldhavesaidwhatnowIsayforhim。
Yongoldencreature，willyouhelpusall？
Here’sAustinmeanstovouchformuch，butyou——Youare……whatAustinonlyknows！Comeup，Allthreeofus:she’sinthelibraryNodoubt，fortheday’swearingfast。Precede！
GUENDOLEN。Austin，howwemust——！
TRESHAM。Mustwhat？Mustspeaktruth，Malignanttongue！Detectonefaultinhim！
Ichallengeyou！
GUENDOLEN。Witchcraft’safaultinhim，Foryou’rebewitched。
TRESHAM。What’surgentweobtainIs，thatshesoonreceivehim——say，to—morrow——，Nextdayatfurthest。
GUENDOLEN。Ne’erinstructme！
TRESHAM。Come！
——He’soutofyourgoodgraces，sinceforsooth，Hestoodnotashe’dcarryusbystormWithhisperfections！You’reforthecomposedManlyassuredbecomingconfidence！
——Gethertosay，\"to—morrow，\"andI’llgiveyou……
I’llgiveyoublackUrganda，tobespoiledWithpettingandsnail—paces。Willyou？Come！
SCENEIII。
——MILDRED’SChamber。APaintedWindowoverlookstheParkMILDREDandGUENDOLEN
GUENDOLEN。Now，Mildred，sparethosepains。IhavenotleftOurtalkersinthelibrary，andclimbedThewearisomeascenttothisyourbowerIncompanywithyou，——Ihavenotdared……
Nay，workedsuchprodigiesassparingyouLordMertoun’spedigreebeforetheflood，WhichThoroldseemedinveryacttotell——OrbringingAustintopluckupthatmostFirm—rootedheresy——yoursuitor’seyes，Hewouldmaintain，weregreyinsteadofblue——
IthinkIbroughthimtocontrition！——Well，Ihavenotdonesuchthings，（alltodeserveAminute’squietcousin’stalkwithyou，）
Tobedismissedsocoolly。
MILDRED。Guendolen！
WhathaveIdone？whatcouldsuggest……
GUENDOLEN。There，there！
DoInotcomprehendyou’dbealoneTothrowthosetestimoniesinaheap，Thorold’senlargings，Austin’sbrevities，WiththatpoorsillyheartlessGuendolen’sIll—timemisplacedattemptedsmartnesses——
Andsifttheirsenseout？now，IcometospareyouNearlyawholenight’slabour。Askandhave！
Demand，beanswered！LackIearsandeyes？
AmIperplexedwhichsideoftherock—tableTheConquerordinedonwhenhelandedfirst，LordMertoun’sancestorwasbiddentake——
Thebow—handorthearrow—hand’sgreatmeed？
Mildred，theEarlhassoftblueeyes！
MILDRED。Mybrother——
Didhe……yousaidthathereceivedhimwell？
GUENDOLEN。IfIsaidonly\"well\"Isaidnotmuch。
Oh，stay——whichbrother？
MILDRED。Thorold！who——Whoelse？
GUENDOLEN。Thorold（asecret）istooproudbyhalf，——
Nay，hearmeout——withushe’sevengentlerThanwearewithourbirds。OfthisgreatHouseTheleastretainerthate’ercaughthisglanceWoulddieforhim，realdying——nomeretalk:
Andintheworld，thecourt，ifmenwouldciteTheperfectspiritofhonour，Thorold’snameRisesofitsclearnaturetotheirlips。
Butheshouldtakemen’shomage，trustinit，Andcarenomoreaboutwhatdrewitdown。
Hehasdesert，andthat，acknowledgment；
Ishecontent？
MILDRED。Youwronghim，Guendolen。
GUENDOLEN。He’sproud，confess；soproudwithbroodingo’erThelightofhisinterminableline，Anancestrywithmenallpaladins，Andwomenall……
MILDRED。DearGuendolen，’tislate！
WhenyonderpurplepanetheclimbingmoonPierces，Iknow’tismidnight。
GUENDOLEN。Well，thatThoroldShouldriseupfromsuchmusings，andreceiveOnecomeaudaciouslytografthimselfIntothispeerlessstock，yetfindnoflaw，Noslightestspotinsuchanone……
MILDRED。WhofindsAspotinMertoun？
GUENDOLEN。Notyourbrother；therefore，Notthewholeworld。
MILDRED。Iamweary，Guendolen。
Bearwithme！
GUENDOLEN。Iamfoolish。
MILDRED。Ohno，kind！
ButIwouldrest。
GUENDOLEN。Goodnightandresttoyou！
IsaidhowgracefullyhismantlelayBeneaththeringsofhislighthair？
MILDRED。Brownhair。
GUENDOLEN。Brown？why，itISbrown:howcouldyouknowthat？
MILDRED。How？didnotyou——Oh，Austin’twas，declaredHishairwaslight，notbrown——myhead！——andlook，Themoon—beampurplingthedarkchamber！Sweet，Goodnight！
GUENDOLEN。Forgiveme——sleepthesoundlierforme！
[Going，sheturnssuddenly。]
Mildred！
Perdition！all’sdiscovered！Thoroldfinds——ThattheEarl’sgreatestofallgrandmothersWasgranderdaughterstill——tothatfairdameWhosegarterslippeddownatthefamousdance！
[Goes。]
MILDRED。Isshe——canshebereallygoneatlast？
Myheart！Ishallnotreachthewindow。NeedsMustIhavesinnedmuch，sotosuffer。
[SheliftsthesmalllampwhichissuspendedbeforetheVirgin’simageinthewindow，andplacesitbythepurplepane。]
There！
[Shereturnstotheseatinfront。]
MildredandMertoun！Mildred，withconsentOfalltheworldandThorold，Mertoun’sbride！
Toolate！’Tissweettothinkof，sweeterstillTohopefor，thatthisblessedendsoothesupThecurseofthebeginning；butIknowItcomestoolate:’twillsweetestbeofallTodreammysoulawayanddieupon。
[Anoisewithout。]
Thevoice！Ohwhy，whyglidedsinthesnakeIntotheparadiseHeavenmeantusboth？
[Thewindowopenssoftly。Alowvoicesings。]
There’sawomanlikeadew—drop，she’ssopurerthanthepurest；
Andhernobleheart’sthenoblest，yes，andhersurefaith’sthesurest:
Andhereyesaredarkandhumid，likethedepthondepthoflustreHidi’theharebell，whilehertresses，sunnierthanthewild—grapecluster，Gushingoldentintedplentydownherneck’srose—mistedmarble:
Thenhervoice’smusic……callitthewell’sbubbling，thebird’swarble！
[Afigurewrappedinamantleappearsatthewindow。]
Andthiswomansays，\"Mydaysweresunlessandmynightsweremoonless，ParchedthepleasantAprilherbage，andthelark’sheart’soutbreaktuneless，Ifyoulovedmenot！\"AndIwho——（ah，forwordsofflame！）adoreher，Whoammadtolaymyspiritprostratepalpablybeforeher——
[Heenters，approachesherseat，andbendsoverher。]
Imayenteratherportalsoon，asnowherlatticetakesme，Andbynoontideasbymidnightmakehermine，ashersshemakesme！
[TheEARLthrowsoffhisslouchedhatandlongcloak。]
Myveryheartsings，soIsing，Beloved！
MILDRED。Sit，Henry——donottakemyhand！
MERTOUN。’Tismine。
ThemeetingthatappalledusbothsomuchIsended。
MILDRED。Whatbeginsnow？
MERTOUN。HappinessSuchastheworldcontainsnot。
MILDRED。Thatisit。
Ourhappinesswould，asyousay，exceedThewholeworld’sbestofblisses:we——doweDeservethat？Uttertoyoursoul，whatmineLongsince，Beloved，hasgrownusedtohear，Likeadeath—knell，somuchregardedonce，Andsofamiliarnow；thiswillnotbe！
MERTOUN。Oh，Mildred，haveImetyourbrother’sface？
Compelledmyself——ifnottospeakuntruth，Yettodisguise，toshun，toputasideThetruth，as——whathade’erprevailedonmeSaveyoutoventure？HaveIgainedatlastYourbrother，theonescarerofyourdreams，Andwakingthoughts’soleapprehensiontoo？
Doesanewlife，likeayoungsunrise，breakOnthestrangeunrestofournight，confusedWithrainandstormyflaw——andwillyouseeNodrippingblossoms，nofire—tinteddropsOneachlivespray，novapoursteamingup，AndnoexpresslessgloryintheEast？
WhenIambyyou，tobeeverbyyou，WhenIhavewonyouandmayworshipyou，Oh，Mildred，canyousay\"thiswillnotbe\"？
MILDRED。Sinhassurprisedus，sowillpunishment。
MERTOUN。No——mealone，whosinnedalone！
MILDRED。ThenightYoulikenedourpastlifeto——wasitstormThroughouttoyouthen，Henry？
MERTOUN。OfyourlifeIspoke——whatamI，whatmylife，towasteAthoughtaboutwhenyouarebyme？——youItwas，IsaidmyfollycalledthestormAndpulledthenightupon。’Twasdaywithme——
Perpetualdawnwithme。
MILDRED。Comewhat，comewill，Youhavebeenhappy:takemyhand！
MERTOUN[afterapause]。HowgoodYourbrotheris！Ifiguredhimacold——
ShallIsay，haughtyman？
MILDRED。Theytoldmeall。
Iknowall。
MERTOUN。Itwillsoonbeover。
MILDRED。Over？
Oh，whatisover？whatmustIlivethroughAndsay，\"’tisover\"？Isourmeetingover？
HaveIreceivedinpresenceofthemallThepartnerofmyguiltylove——withbrowTryingtoseemamaiden’sbrow——withlipsWhichmakebelievethatwhentheystrivetoformRepliestoyouandtrembleastheystrive，ItisthenearestevertheyapproachedAstranger’s……Henry，yoursthatstranger’s……lip——
Withcheekthatlooksavirgin’s，andthatis……
AhGod，someprodigyofthinewillstopThisplannedpieceofdeliberatewickednessInitsbirtheven！somefierceleprousspotWillmarthebrow’sdissimulating！I
Shallmurmurnosmoothspeechesgotbyheart，But，frenzied，pourforthallourwoefulstory，Thelove，theshame，andthedespair——withthemRoundmeaghastasroundsomecursedfountThatshouldspirtwater，andspoutsblood。I’llnot……Henry，youdonotwishthatIshoulddrawThisvengeancedown？I’llnotaffectagraceThat’sgonefromme——goneonce，andgoneforever！
MERTOUN。Mildred，myhonourisyourown。I’llshareDisgraceIcannotsufferbymyself。
AwordinformsyourbrotherIretractThismorning’soffer；timewillyetbringforthSomebetterwayofsavingbothofus。
MILDRED。I’llmeettheirfaces，Henry！
MERTOUN。When？to—morrow！
Getdonewithit！
MILDRED。Oh，Henry，notto—morrow！
Nextday！InevershallpreparemywordsAndlooksandgesturessooner。——HowyoumustDespiseme！
MERTOUN。Mildred，breakitifyouchoose，Ahearttheloveofyouuplifted——stillUplifts，thro’thisprotractedagony，Toheaven！butMildred，answerme，——firstpaceThechamberwithme——onceagain——now，sayCalmlythepart，the……whatitisofmeYouseecontempt（foryoudidsaycontempt）
——Contemptforyouin！IwouldpluckitoffAndcastitfromme！——butno——no，you’llnotRepeatthat？——willyou，Mildred，repeatthat？
MILDRED。DearHenry！
MERTOUN。Iwasscarceaboy——e’ennowWhatamImore？AndyouwereinfantineWhenfirstImetyou；why，yourhairfelllooseOneitherside！Myfool’s—cheekreddensnowOnlyintherecallinghowitburnedThatmorntoseetheshapeofmanyadream——YouknowweboysareprodigalofcharmsToherwedreamof——Ihadheardofone，Haddreamedofher，andIwasclosetoher，Mightspeaktoher，mightliveanddieherown，Whoknew？Ispoke。Oh，Mildred，feelyounotThatnow，whileIremembereveryglanceOfyours，eachwordofyours，withpowertotestAndweightheminthediamondscalesofpride，ResolvedthetreasureofafirstandlastHeart’sloveshallhavebeenbarteredatitsworth，——ThatnowIthinkuponyourpurityAndutterignoranceofguilt——yourownOrother’sguilt——thegirlishundisguisedDelightatastrangenovelprize——（ItalkAsillylanguage，butinterpret，you！）
IfI，withfancyatitsfull，andreasonScarceinitsgerm，enjoinedyousecrecy，Ifyouhadpityonmypassion，pityOnmyprotestedsicknessofthesoulTositbesideyou，hearyoubreathe，andwatchYoureyelidsandtheeyesbeneath——ifyouAccordedgiftsandknewnottheyweregifts——
IfIgrewmadatlastwithenterpriseAndmustbeholdmybeautyinherbowerOrperish——（IwasignorantofevenMyowndesires——whatthenwereyou？）ifsorrow——
Sin——iftheendcame——mustInowrenounceMyreason，blindmyselftolight，saytruthIsfalseandlietoGodandmyownsoul？
Contemptwereallofthis！
MILDRED。Doyoubelieve……
Or，Henry，I’llnotwrongyou——youbelieveThatIwasignorant。Iscarcegrieveo’erThepast。We’llloveon；youwilllovemestill。
MERTOUN。Oh，tolovelesswhatonehasinjured！Dove，WhosepinionIhaverashlyhurt，mybreast——
Shallmyheart’swarmthnotnursetheeintostrength？
FlowerIhavecrushed，shallInotcareforthee？
Bloomo’ermycrest，myfight—markanddevice！
Mildred，Iloveyouandyouloveme。
MILDRED。Go！
Bethatyourlastword。Ishallsleepto—night。
MERTOUN。Thisisnotourlastmeeting？
MILDRED。Onenightmore。
MERTOUN。Andthen——think，then！
MILDRED。Then，nosweetcourtship—days，Nodawningconsciousnessofloveforus，Nostrangeandpalpitatingbirthsofsense>Fromwordsandlooks，noinnocentfearsandhopes，Reservesandconfidences:morning’sover！
MERTOUN。Howelseshouldlove’sperfectednoontidefollow？
Allthedawnpromisedshallthedayperform。
MILDRED。Somayitbe！but——
Youarecautious，Love？
Aresurethatunobservedyouscaledthewalls？
MERTOUN。Oh，trustme！Thenourfinalmeeting’sfixedTo—morrownight？
MILDRED。Farewell！stay，Henry……wherefore？
Hisfootisontheyew—treebough；theturfReceiveshim:nowthemoonlightasherunsEmbraceshim——buthemustgo——isgone。
Ah，onceagainheturns——thanks，thanks，myLove！
He’sgone。Oh，I’llbelievehimeveryword！
Iwassoyoung，Ilovedhimso，IhadNomother，Godforgotme，andIfell。
Theremaybepardonyet:all’sdoubtbeyond！
Surelythebitternessofdeathispast。
ACTII
SCENE。——TheLibraryEnterLORDTRESHAM，hastilyTRESHAM。Thisway！In，Gerard，quick！
[AsGERARDenters，TRESHAMsecuresthedoor。]
Nowspeak！or，wait——
I’llbidyouspeakdirectly。
[Seatshimself。]
NowrepeatFirmlyandcircumstantiallythetaleYoujustnowtoldme；iteludesme；eitherIdidnotlisten，orthehalfisgoneAwayfromme。Howlonghaveyoulivedhere？
Hereinmyhouse，yourfatherkeptourwoodsBeforeyou？
GERARD。——Ashisfatherdid，mylord。
Ihavebeeneating，sixtyyearsalmost，Yourbread。
TRESHAM。Yes，yes。YoueverwereofallTheservantsinmyfather’shouse，Iknow，Thetrustedone。You’llspeakthetruth。
GERARD。I’llspeakGod’struth。Nightafternight……
TRESHAM。Sincewhen？
GERARD。AtleastAmonth——eachmidnighthassomemanaccessToLadyMildred’schamber。
TRESHAM。Tush，\"access\"——
Nowidewordslike\"access\"tome！
GERARD。HerunsAlongthewoodside，crossestotheSouth，Takesthelefttreethatendstheavenue……
TRESHAM。Thelastgreatyew—tree？
GERARD。YoumightstanduponThemainboughslikeaplatform。Thenhe……
TRESHAM。Quick！
GERARD。Climbsup，and，wheretheylessenatthetop，——Icannotseedistinctly，buthethrows，Ithink——forthisIdonotvouch——alineThatreachestothelady’scasement——
TRESHAM。——WhichHeentersnot！Gerard，somewretchedfoolDarespryintomysister’sprivacy！
Whensuchareyoung，itseemsapreciousthingTohaveapproached，——tomerelyhaveapproached，GotsightoftheabodeofhertheysetTheirfranticthoughtsupon。Hadoesnotenter？
Gerard？
GERARD。Thereisalampthat’sfulli’themidst。
UnderaredsquareinthepaintedglassOfLadyMildred’s……
TRESHAM。Leavethatnameout！Well？
Thatlamp？
GERARD。IsmovedatmidnighthigherupToonepane——asmalldark—bluepane；hewaitsForthatamongtheboughs:atsightofthat，Iseehim，plainasIseeyou，mylord，Openthelady’scasement，enterthere……
TRESHAM。——Andstay？
GERARD。Anhour，twohours。
TRESHAM。AndthisyousawOnce？——twice？——quick！
GERARD。Twentytimes。
TRESHAM。AndwhatbringsyouUndertheyew—trees？
GERARD。ThefirstnightIleftMyrangesofar，totrackthestrangerstagThatbrokethepale，Isawtheman。
TRESHAM。YetsentNocross—bowshaftthroughthemarauder？
GERARD。ButHecame，mylord，thefirsttimehewasseen，Inagreatmoonlight，lightasanyday，FROMLadyMildred’schamber。
TRESHAM[afterapause]。Youhavenocause——Whocouldhavecausetodomysisterwrong？
GERARD。Oh，mylord，onlyonce——letmethisonceSpeakwhatisonmymind！SincefirstInotedAllthis，I’vegroanedasifafierynetPluckedmethiswayandthat——fireifIturnedToher，fireifIturnedtoyou，andfireIfdownIflungmyselfandstrovetodie。
TheladycouldnothavebeensevenyearsoldWhenIwastrustedtoconducthersafeThroughthedeer—herdtostrokethesnow—whitefawnIbroughttoeatbreadfromhertinyhandWithinamonth。SheeverhadasmileTogreetmewith——she……ifitcouldundoWhat’sdone，tolopeachlimbfromoffthistrunk……
Allthatisfoolishtalk，notfitforyou——
Imean，IcouldnotspeakandbringherhurtForHeaven’scompelling。ButwhenIwasfixedToholdmypeace，eachmorselofyourfoodEatenbeneathyourroof，mybirth—placetoo，Chokedme。IwishIhadgrownmadindoubtsWhatitbehovedmedo。ThismornitseemedEitherImustconfesstoyouordie:
Nowitisdone，IseemthevilestwormThatcrawls，tohavebetrayedmylady。
TRESHAM。No——
No，Gerard！
GERARD。Letmego！
TRESHAM。Aman，yousay:
Whatman？Young？Notavulgarhind？Whatdress？
GERARD。AslouchedhatandalargedarkforeigncloakWrapshiswholeform；evenhisfaceishid；
ButIshouldjudgehimyoung:nohind，besure！
TRESHAM。Why？
GERARD。Heiseverarmed:hisswordprojectsBeneaththecloak。
TRESHAM。Gerard，——IwillnotsayNoword，nobreathofthis！
GERARD。Thank，thanks，mylord！
[Goes。]
TRESHAM[pacestheroom。Afterapause]。
Oh，thoughtsabsurd！——aswithsomemonstrousfactWhich，whenillthoughtsbesetus，seemstogiveMercifulGodthatmadethesunandstars，Thewatersandthegreendelightsofearth，Thelie！Iapprehendthemonstrousfact——
Yetknowthemakerofallworldsisgood，Andyieldmyreasonup，inadequateToreconcilewhatyetIdobehold——
Blastingmysense！There’scheerfuldayoutside:
Thisismylibrary，andthisthechairMyfatherusedtositincarelesslyAfterhissoldier—fashion，whileIstoodBetweenhiskneestoquestionhim:andhereGerardourgreyretainer，——ashesays，Fedwithourfood，fromsiretoson，anage，——
Hastoldastory——Iamtobelieve！
ThatMildred……oh，no，no！bothtalesaretrue，Herpurecheek’sstoryandtheforester’s！
Wouldshe，orcouldshe，err——muchless，confoundAllguiltsoftreachery，ofcraft，of……HeavenKeepmewithinitshand！——IwillsithereUntilthoughtsettleandIseemycourse。
Avert，ohGod，onlythiswoefromme！
[Ashesinkshisheadbetweenhisarmsonthetable，GUENDOLEN’Svoiceisheardatthedoor。]
LordTresham！
[Sheknocks。]
IsLordTreshamthere？
[TRESHAM，hastilyturning，pullsdownthefirstbookabovehimandopensit。]
TRESHAM。Comein！
[Sheenters。]
Ha，Guendolen！——goodmorning。
GUENDOLEN。Nothingmore？
TRESHAM。WhatshouldIsaymore？
GUENDOLEN。Pleasantquestion！more？
Thismore。DidIbesiegepoorMildred’sbrainLastnighttillcloseonmorningwith\"theEarl，\"
\"TheEarl\"——whoseworthdidIasseverateTillIamveryfaintohopethat……Thorold，Whatisallthis？Youarenotwell！
TRESHAM。Who，I？
Youlaughatme。
GUENDOLEN。HaswhatI’mfaintohope，Arrivedthen？DoesthathugetomeshowsomeblotIntheEarl’s’scutcheoncomenolongerbackThanArthur’stime？
TRESHAM。WhenleftyouMildred’schamber？
GUENDOLEN。Oh，lateenough，Itoldyou！ThemainthingToaskis，howIleftherchamber，——sure，Contentyourself，she’llgrantthisparagonOfEarlsnosuchungracious……
TRESHAM。Sendherhere！
GUENDOLEN。Thorold？
TRESHAM。Imean——acquainther，Guendolen，——Butmildly！
GUENDOLEN。Mildly？
TRESHAM。Ah，youguessedaright！
Iamnotwell:thereisnohidingit。
ButtellherIwouldseeheratherleisure——
Thatis，atonce！hereinthelibrary！