r sake,
And most, for her sake!

_Tresham._ Ha ha, what should I
Know of your ways? A miscreant like yourself,
How must one rouse his ire? A blow?--that's pride
No doubt, to him! One spurns him, does one not?
Or sets the foot upon his mouth, or spits
Into his face! Come! Which, or all of these?

_Mertoun._ 'Twixt him and me and Mildred, Heaven be judge!
Can I avoid this? Have your will, my lord!

[_He draws and, after a few passes, falls._

_Tresham._ You are not hurt?

_Mertoun._ You'll hear me now!

_Tresham._ But rise!

_Mertoun._ Ah, Tresham, say I not "you'll hear me now!"
And what procures a man the right to speak
In his defense before his fellow man,
But--I suppose--the thought that presently
He may have leave to speak before his God
His whole defense?

_Tresham._ Not hurt? It cannot be!
You made no effort to resist me. Where
Did my sword reach you? Why not have returned
My thrusts? Hurt where?

_Mertoun._ My lord--

_Tresham._ How young he is!

_Mertoun._ Lord Tresham, I am very young, and yet
I have entangled other lives with mine.
Do let me speak, and do believe my speech!
That when I die before you presently,--

_Tresham._ Can you stay here till I return with help?

_Mertoun._ Oh, stay by me! When I was less than boy
I did you grievous wrong and knew it not--
Upon my honor, knew it not! Once known,
I could not find what seemed a better way
To right you than I took: my life--you feel
How less than nothing were the giving you
The life you've taken! But I thought my way
The better--only for your sake and hers:
And as you have decided otherwise,
Would I had an infinity of lives
To offer you! Now say--instruct me--think!
Can you, from the brief minutes I have left,
Eke out my reparation? Oh think--think!
For I must wring a partial--dare I say,
Forgiveness from you, ere I die?

_Tresham._ I do
Forgive you.

_Mertoun._ Wait and ponder that great word!
Because, if you forgive me, I shall hope
To speak to you of--Mildred!

_Tresham._ Mertoun, haste
And anger have undone us. 'Tis not you
Should tell me for a novelty you're young,
Thoughtless, unable to recall the past.
Be but your pardon ample as my own!

_Mertoun._ Ah, Tre