Guendolen monologue (Act 5) — Locrine: A Tragedy

Did I not know Mine honour perfect as thy shame, Locrine, Now might I say, and turn to pride my woe, Mine only were this boy, and none of thine. But what thou mayest I may not. Where are they Who ride not with their lord and sire today? Thy secret Scythian and your changeling child, Where hide they now their heads that lurk not hidden There where thy treason deemed them safe, and smiled? When arms were levied, and thy servants bidden About thee to withstand the doom of men Whose loyal angers flamed upon our side Against thee, from thy smooth-skinned she-wolf’s den Her whelp and she sought covert unespied, But not from thee far off. Thou hast born them hither For refuge in this west that stands for thee Against our cause, whose very name should wither The hearts of them that hate it. Where is she? Hath she not heart to keep thy side? or thou, Dost thou think shame to stand beside her now And bid her look upon thy son and wife? Nay, she should ride at thy right hand and laugh To see so fair a lordly field of strife Shine for her sake, whose lips thy love bids quaff For pledge of trustless troth the blood of men.