me, 'Tis apparent
You do not. I but wish to hear the words.

BEA. Nay, that I will not say. It would be well,
To say it, and let it be. But I'll not say it,
It is not true.

BIA. You love me still?

BEA. I love you
More than all else on earth. But I have wronged you
So hugely that I cannot think of it
And stand here talking with you--I am ill--[She staggers.]
You must pardon me--I have been very ill--

BIA. Then it is true?

BEA. [With a cry as of relief.] Ay, it is true! Who told you?

BIA. My mother told me. I said it was not true.
But if 'tis true--I pity you, Rose-Red,
I pity him. I pity us all together.

BEA. [Feverishly.] Ah, I can see it now!--the quiet road
In the deep wood's gathering darkness, the reins loose
On the horses' necks, that nodded, nodded, and we
Speaking from time to time, and glad to think
Of home,--and suddenly out of nowhere,--fury,
And faces, and long swords, and a great noise!
And even as I reached to draw my sword,
The arm that held the scabbard set on fire,
As if the sleeve were burning!--and my horse
Backing into the trees, my hair caught, twisted,
Torn out by the roots! Then from the road behind
A second fury! And I turned, confused,
Outraged with pain, and thrust,--and it was Mario!

BIA. [Wildly.] What are you saying? What are you saying? What is this
You are telling me? That it was you? Your hand--?
Oh, God have mercy upon me! Let me go!

BEA. [Pitifully, reaching out her arms towards her.]
Snow-White! Snow-White!--farewell!

BIA. [Without turning.] Oh, God have mercy!

[Exit Bianca.]

[Beatrice falls unconscious to the floor.]

CURTAIN

ACT V

Scene 1

[A room in the palace at Fiori. Anselmo and Luigi.]

LUIGI. Nay, is that true, Anselmo?

ANS. Aye, 'tis true.
But no one saw save me, I drew her sword
Out of his heart and thrust it in its scabbard,
Where she lay senseless.

LUI. Oh, unhappy Queen!

ANS. Ay, she does not forget. Has it not struck you
She rides no more? Her black horse stands in stable,
Eating his head off. It is two years now
Since she has visited Lagoverde; and the Queen
Of Lagoverde comes not nigh this place.

LUI. There's not the reason that there was to come
Before Octavia's death.

ANS. Nay, 'tis not that.

LUI. Think you that Beatrice told her?

ANS. Ay,
I doubt it not.

LUI. 'Tis hard. T