MYRRHINA. Do not mock me, Honorius, nor speak to me with such bitter words. For I have repented of my sins and I am seeking a cavern in this desert where I too may dwell so that my soul may become worthy to see God. HONORIUS. The sun is setting, Myrrhina. Come with me to Alexandria. MYRRHINA. I will not go to Alexandria. HONORIUS. Farewell, Myrrhina. MYRRHINA. Honorius, farewell. No, no, do not go. . . . . . I have cursed my beauty for what it has done, and cursed the wonder of my body for the evil that it has brought upon you. Lord, this man brought me to Thy feet. He told me of Thy coming upon earth, and of the wonder of Thy birth, and the great wonder of Thy death also. By him, O Lord, Thou wast revealed to me. HONORIUS. You talk as a child, Myrrhina, and without knowledge. Loosen your hands. Why didst thou come to this valley in thy beauty? MYRRHINA. The God whom thou worshippest led me here that I might repent of my iniquities and know Him as the Lord. HONORIUS. Why didst thou tempt me with words? MYRRHINA. That thou shouldst see Sin in its painted mask and look on Death in its robe of Shame. A FLORENTINE TRAGEDY WITH OPENING SCENE BY T. STURGE MOORE _This play is only a fragment and was never completed_. _For the purposes of presentation_, _the well-known poet_, _Mr. T. Sturge Moore_, _has written an opening scene which is here included_. _Wilde’s work begins with the entrance of Simone_. _A private performance was given by the Literary Theatre Club in_ 1906. _The first public presentation was given by the New English Players at the Cripplegate Institute_, _Golden Lane_, _E.C._, _in_ 1907. _German_, _French and Hungarian translations have been presented on the Continental stage_. _Dramatic and literary rights are the property of Robert Ross_. _The American literary and dramatic rights are vested in John Luce and Co._, _Boston_, _U.S.A._ _First Published by Methuen and Co._ _February_ _1908_ (_Limited Editions on handmade paper and Japanese vellum_) _First F’cap. 8vo Edition_ _November_ _1909_ _Second F’cap. 8vo Edition_ _October_ _1910_ _Third F’cap. 8vo Edition_ _December_ _1911_ _Fourth F’cap. 8vo Edition_ _May_ _1915_ _Fifth F’cap. 8vo Edition_ _1917_ CHARACTERS GUIDO BARDI, A Florentine prince. SIMONE, a merchant. BIANNA, his wife. MARIA, a tire-woman. _The action takes place at Florence in the early sixteenth century_. A FLORENTINE TRAGEDY [_The scene represents a tapestried upper room giving on to a balcony or loggia in an old house at Florence_. _A table laid for a frugal meal_, _a spinning-wheel_, _distaff_, _etc._, _chests_, _chairs and stools_.] _As the Curtain rises enter_ BIANCA, _with her Servant_, MARIA.