Part 23 (2/2)

Thy true-born son, and I that was thy wife, Will see thee dead or perish. Call thy men About thee; bid them gird their loins for strife More dire than theirs who storm the wild wolf's den; For if thou dare not slay us here today Thou art dead.

LOCRINE.

Thou knowest I dare not, Guendolen, Dare what the ravenous beasts whose life is prey Dream not of doing, though drunk with bloodshed.

GUENDOLEN.

No: Thou art gentle, and beasts are honest: no such way Lies open toward thy fearful foot: not so Shalt thou find surety from these foes of thine.

Woe worth thee therefore! yea, a sevenfold woe Shall G.o.d through us rain down on thee, Locrine.

Hadst thou the heart G.o.d hath not given thee--then Our blood might run before thy feet like wine And wash thy way toward sin in sight of men Smooth, soft, and safe. But if thou shed it not - If Madan live to look on Guendolen Living--I wot not what shall be--I wot What shall not--thou shalt have no joy to live More than have they for whom G.o.d's wrath grows hot.

LOCRINE.

G.o.d's grace is no such gift as thou canst give, Queen, or withhold. Farewell.

GUENDOLEN.

I dare not say Farewell.

LOCRINE.

And why?

GUENDOLEN.

Thou hast not said--Forgive.

LOCRINE.

I say it--I have said. Thou wilt not hear me?

GUENDOLEN.

Nay.

[Exeunt.

ACT V.

SCENE I.--Fields near the Severn.

Enter on one side LOCRINE and his army: on the other side GUENDOLEN, MADAN, and their army.

LOCRINE.

Stand fast, and sound a parley.

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