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78
SONG
(From “'Tis Pity she's a Queen.”—A.D. 1610.)
ACT IV SCENE 2.
The Lady Margaret, with Susan and Lucy; Lady M. at her embroidery frame, singing.
Girls, when I am gone away,
On this bosom strew
Only flowers meek and pale,
And the yew.
On this bosom strew
Only flowers meek and pale,
And the yew.
Lay these hands down by my side,
Let my face be bare;
Bind a kerchief round the face,
Smooth my hair.
Let my face be bare;
Bind a kerchief round the face,
Smooth my hair.
Let my bier be borne at dawn,
Summer grows so sweet,
Deep into the forest green
Where boughs meet.
Summer grows so sweet,
Deep into the forest green
Where boughs meet.
Then pass away, and let me lie
One long, warm, sweet day
There alone with face upturn'd,
one sweet day.
One long, warm, sweet day
There alone with face upturn'd,
one sweet day.
While the morning light grows broad,
While noon sleepeth sound,
While the evening falls and faints,
While the world goes round.
While noon sleepeth sound,
While the evening falls and faints,
While the world goes round.
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Whence had you this song, lady?
L. Mar.
Out of the air;
From no one an it be not from the wind
That goes at noonday in the sycamore trees.
—When said the tardy page he would return?
Susan.
By twelve, upon this very hour.
L. Mar.
Look now,
The sand falls down the glass with even pace,
The shadows lie like yesterday's. Nothing
Is wrong with the world. You are a part of it,—
I stand within a magic circle charm'd
From reach of anything, shut in from you,
Leagues from my needle, and this frame I touch,
Waiting till doomsday come—
[Knocking heard]
The messenger!
Quick, I will wait you here, and hold my heart
Ready for death, or too much ravishment.
[Exeunt both Girls.]
How the little sand-hill slides and slides; how many
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Across one's heart let the red life out?
Susan.
[returning]
Lady!
L. Mar.
I know it by your eyes. O do not fear
To tell all punctually: I am carved of stone.
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