d
This morning, playfellow but yesterday,
Who said, or thought at least a thousand times,
"I'd serve you if I could," should now face round
And say, "Ah, that's to only signify
I'd serve you while you're fit to serve yourself:
So long as fifty eyes await the turn
Of yours to forestall its yet half-formed wish,
I'll proffer my assistance you'll not need--
When every tongue is praising you, I'll join
The praisers' chorus--when you're hemmed about
With lives between you and detraction--lives
To be laid down if a rude voice, rash eye,
Rough hand should violate the sacred ring
Their worship throws about you,--then indeed,
Who'll stand up for you stout as I?" If so
We said, and so we did,--not Mildred there
Would be unworthy to behold us both,
But we should be unworthy, both of us.
To be beheld by--by--your meanest dog,
Which, if that sword were broken in your face
Before a crowd, that badge torn off your breast,
And you cast out with hooting and contempt,
--Would push his way thro' all the hooters, gain
Your side, go off with you and all your shame
To the next ditch you choose to die in! Austin,
Do you love me? Here's Austin, Mildred,--here's
Your brother says he does not believe half--
No, nor half that--of all he heard! He says,
Look up and take his hand!

AUSTIN. Look up and take
My hand, dear Mildred!

MILDRED. I--I was so young!
Beside, I loved him, Thorold--and I had
No mother; God forgot me: so, I fell.

GUENDOLEN. Mildred!

MILDRED. Require no further! Did I dream
That I could palliate what is done? All's true.
Now, punish me! A woman takes my hand?
Let go my hand! You do not know, I see.
I thought that Thorold told you.

GUENDOLEN. What is this?
Where start you to?

MILDRED. Oh, Austin, loosen me!
You heard the whole of it--your eyes were worse,
In their surprise, than Thorold's! Oh, unless
You stay to execute his sentence, loose
My hand! Has Thorold gone, and are you here?

GUENDOLEN. Here, Mildred, we two friends of yours will wait
Your bidding; be you silent, sleep or muse!
Only, when you shall want your bidding done,
How can we do it if we are not