[After she has begun to undress herself.

Now, one thing I should like to really know:
How near I ever might approach all these
I only fancied being, this long day:
-Approach, I mean, so as to touch them, so
As to.. in some way. move them-if you please,
Do good or evil to them some slight way.
For instance, if I wind

Silk to-morrow, my silk may bind

[Sitting on the bedside.

And border Ottima's cloak's hem.
Ah me, and my important part with them,
This morning's hymn half promised when I rose!
True in some sense or other, I suppose.

[As she lies down.

God bless me! I can pray no more to-night.
No doubt, some way or other, hymns say right.
All service ranks the same with God-
With God, whose puppets, best and worst,
Are we: there is no last nor first.

[She sleeps.

A BLOT IN THE 'SCUTCHEON.

Robert Browning. III,

A TRAGEDY.

1843.

143

PERSONS.

MILDRED TRESHAM.

GUENDOLEN TRESHAM.

THOROLD, Earl Tresham.

AUSTIN TRESHAM.

HENRY, Earl Mertoun.

GERARD, and other Retainers of Lord Tresham.

TIME 17-

A BLOT IN THE 'SCUTCHEON.

ACT I.

SCENE I. The interior of a lodge in LORD TRESHAM'S park. Many Retainers crowded at the window, supposed to command a view of the entrance to his mansion. GERARD, the Warrener, his back to a table on which are flagons, etc.

1st Ret. Ay, do! push, friends, and then you'll push down me!

-What for? Does any hear a runner's foot
Or a steed's trample or a coach-wheel's cry?
Is the Earl come or his least pursuivant?
But there's no breeding in a man of you
Save Gerard yonder: here's a half-place yet,
Old Gerard!

Ger. Save your courtesies, my friend.
Here is my place.
2nd Ret.
Now, Gerard, out with it!
What makes you sullen, this of all the days
I' the year? To-day that young rich bountiful
Handsome Earl Mertoun, whom alone they match
With our Lord Tresham through the country-side,
Is coming here in utmost bravery
To ask our master's sister's hand?