Robert Browning (1812–1889). A Blot in the ’Scutcheon.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Act II
The Library.
Enter Lord Tresham, hastily
Tresham.This way! In, Gerard, quick![As GERARD enters, TRESHAM secures the door.
Seats himself.Now repeat
Gerard.—As his father did, my lord.
Tresham.Yes, yes. You ever were of all
Gerard.I’ll speak
Tresham.Since when?
Gerard.At least
Tresham.Tush, “access”—
Gerard.He runs
Tresham.The last great yew-tree?
Gerard.You might stand upon
Tresham.Quick!
Gerard.Climbs up, and, where they lessen at the top,
Tresham.—Which
Gerard.There is a lamp that’s full i’ the midst,
Tresham.Leave that name out! Well?
Gerard.Is moved at midnight higher up
Tresham.—And stay?
Gerard.An hour, two hours.
Tresham.And this you saw
Gerard.Twenty times.
Tresham.And what brings you
Gerard.The first night I left
Tresham.Yet sent
Gerard.But
Tresham[after a pause].You have no cause
Gerard.Oh, my lord, only once—let me this once
Tresham.No—
Gerard.Let me go!
Tresham.A man, you say:
Gerard.A slouched hat and a large dark foreign cloak
Tresham.Why?
Gerard.He is ever armed: his sword projects
Tresham.Gerard,—I will not say
Gerard.Thanks, thanks, my lord![Goes.
Tresham[paces the room. After a pause]. Oh, thoughts absurd!—as with some monstrous fact
As he sinks his head between his arms on the table, GUENDOLEN’S voice is heard at the door.
She knocks.]Is Lord Tresham there?[TRESHAM, hastily turning, pulls down the first book above him and opens it.
Tresham.Come in![She enters.
Guendolen.Nothing more?
Tresham.What should I say more?
Guendolen.Pleasant question! more?
Tresham.Who, I?
Guendolen.Has what I’m fain to hope,
Tresham.When left you Mildred’s chamber?
Guendolen.Oh, late enough, I told you! The main thing
Tresham.Send her here!
Guendolen.Thorold?
Tresham.I mean—acquaint her, Guendolen,
Guendolen.Mildly?
Tresham.Ah, you guessed aright!
Guendolen.I’ll die
Tresham.Go! or, Guendolen,
goes.
Enter MILDRED