University of Virginia Library

I.

The Fool is disguised as a magician. Young Shyface is seen in the distance, sitting gloomily in the Doleful Chair. The Fool is talking to Little Sweet Heart.
Fool.
Yes, yes, that is your lover, sitting there.
Still as a statue in the Doleful Chair;
And in that Doleful Chair he must remain,
Still as a statue, girl, except on pain—

[His bells are heard as he shakes his head.
Sweet Heart.
What bells are those I hear? On pain of what?
Ah me, it is too horrible a lot
To sit fixed in that chair, for ever still!

Fool.
You can release him, lady, if you will!
If you will make a sacrifice absurd,
But then I scarcely dare to speak the word;
The terms on which Young Shyface may be freed
Are very dreadful terms; they are indeed!

Sweet Heart.
I hear those bells again! Sir, tell me true
The thing which to release him I must do;
I will go barefoot to the utmost pole—

Fool.
That is not it!

Sweet Heart.
Or walk on burning coal—

Fool.
That is not it.

Sweet Heart.
Or beg my daily bread—

Fool.
That is not it.

Sweet Heart.
In jungles make my bed—

Fool.
That is not it.

Sweet Heart.
Or drain my life-blood red—

Fool.
That is not it.

Sweet Heart.
Or to the sorcerer kneel
Till my poor knees are hard as hardest steel;
Or risk the deadliest spell—

Fool.
That is not it:
For in that chair he must for ever sit
Unless you—

Sweet Heart.
What?

Fool.
Well may you gasp! Unless
You freely do give up your loveliness,
And for his sake be ugly!

[His bells are heard again.
Sweet Heart.
Is that all?
That were as easy as to toss the ball
Along the garden. Take me, mighty sir!
And make me ugly now, without demur.

Fool.
Oh, ho! then I will work the fitting spell.

Sweet Heart.
Do what you please; he still will know me well,
And love me still. As soon as he is free,
We shall—

Fool.
Yes, lady, we shall—we shall see!
[Makes movements of incantation.
Now to free the prisoner there
Silent in that stony chair!
One, two, three—
One, two, three—
One, two, three—
This is She, and that is He!
First, the brightness of your eyes
I must take. (Aside.
Poor thing, she sighs!)
Next your nose I must deform;
And your lips so crimson-warm;
From your chin the roundness runs.

Sweet Heart.
Oh, make me ugly all at once!

Fool.
Take the glory from her hair—

Sweet Heart.
Have pity! Can you nothing spare?

Fool.
Let her voice like hinges creak—

Sweet Heart.
Must he not know me when I speak?

Fool
(mutters and makes movements of incantation).
Now, lady, it is past and done;
And, underneath the smiling sun,
You are, I think, as plain a maid
As could desire to seek the shade.

Sweet Heart.
Then, hasten! let us set him free!
My life he will know me for me!

Fool.
But yet, now that you are altered so,
Well veiled you will before him go?

Sweet Heart.
That will be better—yes, at first—
He must not see—my heart will burst!

Fool.
Please you, this magic scarf put on.

[Veiling her from head to foot.
Sweet Heart.
And let us hasten to be gone!

Fool.
But mind you must the rhyme declare
Which I shall whisper in your ear.