Robert Browning (1812–1889). A Blot in the ’Scutcheon.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Act III
Scene IThe end of the Yew-tree Avenue under MILDRED’S Window. A light seen through a central red pane.
Enter TRESHAM through the trees
Tresham.Again here! But I cannot lose myself.
A bell strikes.] A bell?
He retires behind one of the trees. After a pause, enter MERTOUN cloaked as before.
Mertoun.Not time! Beat out thy last voluptuous beat
The light is placed above in the purple pane.
As he prepares to ascend the last tree of the avenue, TRESHAM arrests his arm.Unhand me—peasant, by your grasp! Here’s gold.
Tresham.Into the moonlight yonder, come with me!
Mertoun.I am armed, fool!
Tresham.Yes,
Mertoun.That voice!
They advance.
Tresham.You’re armed: that’s well. Declare
Mertoun.(Tresham!—she is lost!)
Tresham.Oh, silent? Do you know, you bear yourself
Mertoun.I do conjure Lord Tresham—ay,
He throws off his disguises.
Tresham.Mertoun![After a pause.] Draw now!
Mertoun.Hear me
Tresham.Not one least word on your life!
Mertoun.Not for my sake,
Tresham.Ha, ha, what should I
Mertoun.’Twixt him and me and Mildred, Heaven be judge!
He draws and, after a few passes, falls.
Tresham.You are not hurt?
Mertoun.You’ll hear me now!
Tresham.But rise!
Mertoun.Ah, Tresham, say I not “you’ll hear me now!”
Tresham.Not hurt? It cannot be!
Mertoun.My lord—
Tresham.How young he is!
Mertoun.Lord Tresham, I am very young, and yet
Tresham.Can you stay here till I return with help?
Mertoun.Oh, stay by me! When I was less than boy
Tresham.I do
Mertoun.Wait and ponder that great word!
Tresham.Mertoun, haste
Mertoun.Ah, Tresham, that a sword-stroke and a drop
As he endeavours to raise himself, his eye catches the lamp.Ah, Mildred! What will Mildred do?
Tresham.Yes, be satisfied!
Mertoun.And she sits there
A whistle is heard.
Tresham.Ho, Gerard!
Enter GERARD, AUSTIN and GUENDOLEN, with lights