[_Tries to kiss her_.] DUCHESS No, no, your lips are pure, and mine are soiled, For Guilt has been my paramour, and Sin Lain in my bed: O Guido, if you love me Get hence, for every moment is a worm Which gnaws your life away: nay, sweet, get hence, And if in after time you think of me, Think of me as of one who loved you more Than anything on earth; think of me, Guido, As of a woman merely, one who tried To make her life a sacrifice to love, And slew love in the trial: Oh, what is that? The bell has stopped from ringing, and I hear The feet of armed men upon the stair. GUIDO [_aside_] That is the signal for the guard to come. DUCHESS Why has the bell stopped ringing? GUIDO If you must know, That stops my life on this side of the grave, But on the other we shall meet again. DUCHESS No, no, ’tis not too late: you must get hence; The horse is by the bridge, there is still time. Away, away, you must not tarry here! [_Noise of Soldiers in the passage_.] A VOICE OUTSIDE Room for the Lord Justice of Padua! [_The_ LORD JUSTICE _is seen through the grated window passing down the corridor preceded by men bearing torches_.] DUCHESS It is too late. A VOICE OUTSIDE Room for the headsman. DUCHESS [_sinks down_] Oh! [_The Headsman with his axe on his shoulder is seen passing the corridor_, _followed by Monks bearing candles_.] GUIDO Farewell, dear love, for I must drink this poison. I do not fear the headsman, but I would die Not on the lonely scaffold. But here, Here in thine arms, kissing thy mouth: farewell! [_Goes to the table and takes the goblet up_.] What, art thou empty? [_Throws it to the ground_.] O thou churlish gaoler, Even of poisons niggard! DUCHESS [_faintly_] Blame him not. GUIDO O God! you have not drunk it, Beatrice? Tell me you have not? DUCHESS Were I to deny it, There is a fire eating at my heart Which would find utterance. GUIDO O treacherous love, Why have you not left a drop for me? DUCHESS No, no, it held but death enough for one. GUIDO Is there no poison still upon your lips, That I may draw it from them? DUCHESS Why should you die? You have not spilt blood, and so need not die: I have spilt blood, and therefore I must die. Was it not said blood should be spilt for blood? Who said that? I forget. GUIDO Tarry for me, Our souls will go together. DUCHESS Nay, you must live. There are many other women in the world Who will love you, and not murder for your sake. GUIDO I love you only. DUCHESS You need not die for that. GUIDO Ah, if we die together, love, why then Can we not lie together in one grave? DUCHESS A grave is but a narrow wedding-bed.