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 But for you, Austin, I believe!--there, there, 'Twill pass away soon!--ah,--I had forgotten: I am dying.

GUENDOLEN. Thorold--Thorold--why was this?

TRESHAM. I said, just as I drank the poison off, The earth would be no longer earth to me, The life out of all life was gone from me. There are blind ways provided, the fore-done Heart-weary player in this pageant-world Drops out by, letting the main masque defile By the conspicuous portal: I am through-- Just through!

GUENDOLEN. Don't leave him, Austin! Death is close.

TRESHAM. Already Mildred's face is peacefuller, I see you, Austin--feel you; here's my hand, Put yours in it--you, Guendolen, yours too! You're lord and lady now--you're Treshams; name And fame are yours: you hold our 'scutcheon up. Austin, no blot on it! You see how blood Must wash one blot away: the first blot came And the first blood came. To the vain world's eye All's gules again: no care to the vain world, >From whence the red was drawn!

TRESHAM. I said that: yet it did come. Should it come, Vengeance is God's, not man's. Remember me! [Dies.]

GUENDOLEN [letting fall the pulseless arm]. Ah, Thorold, we can but--remember you!