ds 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