Complete works of Robert Browning - 1898 Author:Robert Browning Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: A BLOT IN THE 'SCUTCHEON A TRAGEDY A BLOT IN THE 'SCUTCHEON PERSONS Mildred Tresiiam. Guendolen Tresham. Thorold, Earl Tresham. Austin Tresh... more »am. Henry, Earl Mertoun. Gerard, and other retainers of Lord Tresham. Time, 17— ACT I Scene I — The interior of a lodge in Lord Tres- Ham's park. Many Retainers crowded at the window, supposed to command a view of the entrance to his mansion. Gerard, the warrener, his back to a table on which are flagons, etc. 1st Retainer. Ay, do! push, friends, and then you '11 push down me! — What for? Does any hear a runner's foot Or a steed's trample or a coach-wheel's cry? Is the Earl come or his least poursuivant? But there 's no breeding in a man of you Save Gerard yonder: here 's a half-place yet, Old Gerard! Gerard. Save your courtesies, my friend. Here is my place. 2nd Retainer. Now, Gerard, out with it! What makes you sullen, this of all the days I' the year? To-day that young rich bountiful 10 Handsome Earl Mertoun, whom alone they match With our Lord Tresham through the country-side, Is coming here in utmost bravery To ask our master's sister's hand? Gerard. What then? 2nd Retainer. What then? Why, you, she speaks to, if she meets Your worship, smiles on as you hold apart The boughs to let her through her forest walks, You, always favorite for your no-deserts, You 've heard, these three days, how Earl Mertoun To lay his heart and house and broad lands too 20 At Lady Mildred's feet: and while we squeeze Ourselves into a mousehole lest we miss One congee of the least page in his train, You sit o' one side — "there 's the Earl," say I — "What then?" say you! 3rd Retainer. I '11 wager he has let Both swans he tamed for Lady Mildred swim Over the falls and gain the river! Ge...« less