I will not be put from you, although I think I had not grudged it you if some great lady, If the King’s daughter, had set out your bed. I will not give you up to death; no, no! And are not these white arms and this soft neck Better than the brown earth? SEANCHAN. [_Struggling to disengage himself._] Begone from me! There’s treachery in those arms and in that voice. They’re all against me. Why do you linger there? How long must I endure the sight of you? FEDELM. O, Seanchan! Seanchan! SEANCHAN. [_Rising._] Go where you will, So it be out of sight and out of mind. I cast you from me like an old torn cap, A broken shoe, a glove without a finger, A crooked penny; whatever is most worthless. FEDELM. [_Bursts into tears._] O, do not drive me from you! SEANCHAN. [_Takes her in his arms._] What did I say, My dove of the woods? I was about to curse you. It was a frenzy. I’ll unsay it all. But you must go away. FEDELM. Let me be near you. I will obey like any married wife. Let me but lie before your feet. SEANCHAN. Come nearer. [_Kisses her._ If I had eaten when you bid me, sweetheart, The kiss of multitudes in times to come Had been the poorer. [_Enter KING from palace, followed by the two PRINCESSES._ KING. [_To FEDELM._] Has he eaten yet? FEDELM. No, King, and will not till you have restored The right of the poets. KING. [_Coming down and standing before SEANCHAN._] Seanchan, you have refused Everybody that I have sent, and now I come to you myself; and I have come To bid you put your pride as far away As I have put my pride. I had your love Not a great while ago, and now you have planned To put a voice by every cottage fire, And in the night when no one sees who cries, To cry against me till my throne has crumbled. And yet if I give way I must offend My courtiers and nobles till they, too, Strike at the crown. What would you have of me? SEANCHAN. When did the poets promise safety, King? KING. Seanchan, I bring you bread in my own hands, And bid you eat because of all these reasons, And for this further reason, that I love you. [_SEANCHAN pushes bread away, with FEDELM’S hand._ You have refused it, Seanchan? SEANCHAN. We have refused it. KING. I have been patient, though I am a king, And have the means to force you. But that’s ended, And I am but a king, and you a subject. Nobles and courtiers, bring the poets hither; [_Enter COURT LADIES, MONK, SOLDIER, CHAMBERLAIN, and COURTIERS with PUPILS, who have halters round their necks._