Lords and Lovers, and Other DramasDargan, Olive Tilford
General
Lords and Lovers, and Other Dramas
Dargan, Olive Tilford
American drama -- 20th century
_Hen._ No, Glaia. Even now
I must be gone. I came for this--to say
I'd come again, and bid you watch for me.
A tear? O, love! One moment, then away!
[_Exeunt. Curtain_]
SCENE 2. _A street in London. Citizens, friars, priests, pass in
devout manner, some bearing crucifixes._
_First Cit._ A day, a day, O, such a day!
_Second Cit._ 'Twill make a new page in our chronicles, the like ne'er
read before.
_Third Cit._ Nay, when Saxon Edward came back from conquered Wales----
_Fourth Cit._ Ay, 'twas such a day of holy joy!
_Second Cit._ But not so general.
_First Cit._ And guards with arms kept order in the streets.
_Third Cit._ But now there's no authority abroad save that comes from
our hearts. Surely the air is charged with drug of peace, and all men
breathe it.
_First Cit._ Where meets the council? In the Tower chamber?
_Third Cit._ Nay, at Westminster palace.
_Second Cit._ That's three miles.
We must push on if we would see them enter.
[_They move off_]
_First Friar._ How meanly does it speak for this proud world
That when the devil lays his weapons by
And peace and love for one day reign o'er all,
That it should wonder at itself, and cry
"A miracle!"
_Second Friar._ In holy Edward's time,
The nuns of Beda joined the council in
Concerted praise, for 'twas their prayerful fast
Kept Heaven with the king and gave us Wales;
And 'twas decreed that ever on such days
The nuns from this most blest and ancient abbey
Should with the great assembly kneel in praise.
_First Friar._ And so they do this day. The legate, Gualo,
Sent invitation from the king.
_Second Friar._ The king?
This shows most well in him.
_First Friar._ If we haste on,
We'll see the sisters passing toward the palace.
_Second friar._ Let's forward then. God save so good
a king!
[_Exeunt. Curtain_]
SCENE 3. _The great hall in Westminster. Barons and prelates
assembled. Rich surcoats open, revealing arms. Enter Henry and the
earl of Kent._
_Hen._ My lords, is this the faith you keep with kings?
Then Heaven save me from it! Was 't not your will
This day all arms should hang upon the wall?
Yet you come here as though the trump had called
To sudden battle.
_Canterbury._ Hear, your majesty,
The cause for which we laid upon our souls
This seeming perjury, and you'll forgive
As Heaven, calling it no stain.
_Hen._ Sir, let
The movers of this saintly shift speak first.
You, Winchester? You, Albemarle? Canst preach
The lie away?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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