A slouched hat and a large dark foreign cloak Wraps his whole form; even his face is hid; But I should judge him young: no hind, be sure! (TRESHAM: Why?) He is ever armed: his sword projects Beneath the cloak. (TRESHAM: Gerard,--I will not say No word, no breath of this!) Thank, thanks, my lord! (Goes.) TRESHAM (paces the room. After a pause). Oh, thoughts absurd!--as with some monstrous fact Which, when ill thoughts beset us, seems to give Merciful God that made the sun and stars, The waters and the green delights of earth, The lie! I apprehend the monstrous fact-- Yet know the maker of all worlds is good, And yield my reason up, inadequate To reconcile what yet I do behold-- Blasting my sense! There's cheerful day outside: This is my library, and this the chair My father used to sit in carelessly After his soldier-fashion, while I stood Between his knees to question him: and here Gerard our grey retainer,--as he says, Fed with our food, from sire to son, an age,-- Has told a story--I am to believe! That Mildred... oh, no, no! both tales are true, Her pure cheek's story and the forester's! Would she, or could she, err--much less, confound All guilts of treachery, of craft, of... Heaven Keep me within its hand!--I will sit here Until thought settle and I see my course. Avert, oh God, only this woe from me! (As he sinks his head between his arms on the table, GUENDOLEN'S voice is heard at the door.) Lord Tresham! (She knocks.) Is Lord Tresham there? (TRESHAM, hastily turning, pulls down the first book above him and opens it.)

Gerard Monologue from A Blot in the 'Scutcheon

Rehearse Gerard's monologue