nd ignorance,
And the brief madness and the long despair--
You let him plead all this, because your code
Of honor bids you hear before you strike:
But at the end, as he looked up for life
Into your eyes--you struck him down!

_Tresham._ No! No!
Had I but heard him--had I let him speak
Half the truth--less--had I looked long on him
I had desisted! Why, as he lay there,
The moon on his flushed cheek, I gathered all
The story ere he told it: I saw through
The troubled surface of his crime and yours
A depth of purity immovable,
Had I but glanced, where all seemed turbidest
Had gleamed some inlet to the calm beneath;
I would not glance: my punishment's at hand.
There, Mildred, is the truth! and you--say on--
You curse me?

_Mildred._ As I dare approach that Heaven
Which has not bade a living thing despair,
Which needs no code to keep its grace from stain,
But bids the vilest worm that turns on it
Desist and be forgiven,--I--forgive not,
But bless you, Thorold, from my soul of souls!

[_Falls on his neck._

There! Do not think too much upon the past!
The cloud that's broke was all the same a cloud
While it stood up between my friend and you;
You hurt him 'neath its shadow: but is that
So past retrieve? I have his heart, you know;
I may dispose of it: I give it you!
It loves you as mine loves! Confirm me, Henry!

[_Dies._

_Tresham._ I wish thee joy, Beloved! I am glad
In thy full gladness!

_Guendolen_ [_without_]. Mildred! Tresham!
[_Entering with AUSTIN._] Thorold,
I could desist no longer. Ah, she swoons!
That's well.

_Tresham._ Oh, better far than that!

_Guendolen._ She's dead!
Let me unlock her arms!

_Tresham._ She threw them thus
About my neck, and blessed me, and then died:
You'll let them stay now, Guendolen!

_Austin._ Leave her
And look to him! What ails you, Thorold?

_Guendolen._ White
As she, and whiter! Austin! quick--this side!

_Austin._ A froth is oozing through his clenched teeth;
Both lips, where they're not bitten through, are black:
Speak, dearest Thorold!

_Tresham._ Something does weigh down
My neck beside her weight: thanks: I should fall
But for you, Austin, I believe!--there, there,
'Twill pass away soon!--ah,--I had fo