Ay, child; his heart was less care’s throne than joy’s,
Power’s less than love’s friend ever: and with thee
His mood that plays is blither than a boy’s.
SABRINA.
I would the boy would give the maid her will.
ESTRILD.
Has not thine heart as mine has here its fill?
SABRINA.
So have our hearts while sleeping—till they wake.
ESTRILD.
Too soon is this for waking: sleep thou still.
SABRINA.
Bid then the dawn sleep, and the world lie chill.
ESTRILD.
This nest is warm for one small wood-dove’s sake.
SABRINA.
And warm the world that feels the sundawn break.
ESTRILD.
But hath my fledgeling cushat here slept ill?
SABRINA.
No plaint is this, but pleading, that I make.
ESTRILD.
Plead not against thine own glad life: the plea
Were like a wrangling babe’s that fain would be
Free from the help its hardy heart contemns,
Free from the hand that guides and guards it, free
To take its way and sprawl and stumble. See!
Have we not here enough of diadems
Hung high round portals pillared smooth with stems
More fair than marble?
SABRINA.
This is but the Ley:
I fain would look upon the lordlier Thames.
ESTRILD.
A very water-bird thou art: the river
So draws thee to it that, seeing, my heart-strings quiver
And yearn with fear lest peril teach thee fear
Too late for help or daring to deliver.
SABRINA.
Nay, let the wind make willows weep and shiver:
Me shall nor wind nor water, while I hear
What goodly words saith each in other’s ear.
And which is given the gift, and which the giver,
I know not, but they take and give good cheer.
ESTRILD.
Howe’er this be, thou hast no heed of mine,
To take so little of this life of thine
I gave and would not see thee cast away
For childishness in childhood, though it shine
For me sole comfort, for my lord Locrine
Chief comfort in the world.
SABRINA.
Nay, mother, nay,
Make me not weep with chiding: wilt thou say
I love thee not? Hark! see, my sire for sign!
I hear his horse.
ESTRILD.
He comes!
SABRINA.
He comes today!
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE II.—_Troynovant_. _A Room in the Palace_.
_Enter_ GUENDOLEN _and_ CAMBER.
GUENDOLEN.
I know not, sir, what ails you to desire
Such audience of me as I give.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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