 | Handsome Is That Handsome Does |  |
IV.
Song (heard in the distance).
This land of ours is May-dew Land.
And fair the blossoming chestnuts stand;
The white pear-blooms fell long ago,
And the pink-almond flower also;
But the flag-flower is gay to see,
And so is the purple lilac-tree,
And the daisies in the grass are many and new,
And bright on the grass lies the sweet May dew!
And fair the blossoming chestnuts stand;
The white pear-blooms fell long ago,
And the pink-almond flower also;
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And so is the purple lilac-tree,
And the daisies in the grass are many and new,
And bright on the grass lies the sweet May dew!
And the birds upon the boughs,
Half-hidden in the leaves,
Are singing, Whoso grieves
For beauty that is gone,
Or that never was upon
The lips or the brows,
Or the eyes, or the hair,
Or the cheeks that should be fair,
Come hither, in the weather
That is gay, in the May,
The May Dew to gather!
Through the mazes,
To the places
Of the daisies,
Is the way!
But a faint whisper steals
Like an odour that one feels
With the soul, not otherwise,
On the wind when it sets
From where the violets
Lie dead under the skies;
And the whisper says, Take heed!
When the baby-daisies waken
The May Dew must be taken
In a phial made of gold,
And none may behold
But the innocent-eyed daisies;
So, come shyly through the mazes
To the lawn,
All in the dawn;
That the wandering, watchful creatures of these places,
Who keep each garden-plot,
See you not.
Half-hidden in the leaves,
Are singing, Whoso grieves
For beauty that is gone,
Or that never was upon
The lips or the brows,
Or the eyes, or the hair,
Or the cheeks that should be fair,
Come hither, in the weather
That is gay, in the May,
The May Dew to gather!
Through the mazes,
To the places
Of the daisies,
Is the way!
But a faint whisper steals
Like an odour that one feels
With the soul, not otherwise,
On the wind when it sets
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Lie dead under the skies;
And the whisper says, Take heed!
When the baby-daisies waken
The May Dew must be taken
In a phial made of gold,
And none may behold
But the innocent-eyed daisies;
So, come shyly through the mazes
To the lawn,
All in the dawn;
That the wandering, watchful creatures of these places,
Who keep each garden-plot,
See you not.
Shyface.
Out of the garden and through the wood
I have come at last. My gratitude
To that poor girl I mean to show,
While round the weary world I go
Seeking Sweet Heart.
Fool
(entering).
I understand!
You have just come from May-dew Land?
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You see this phial? It contains
Dew taken from the lawn. This pains
I owe to that poor, ugly she
Of whom you said so much to me.
Fool.
You did not quickly find the place?
Shyface.
The path to the gate was through a maze,
In which I wandered nights and days.
Fool.
And when you reached the gate at last
You found it bolted firm and fast.
Shyface.
And then I climbed the wall, and stood
Within the garden.
Fool.
That was good!
Shyface.
And filled my phial.
Fool.
See, the maid
Approaches, veiled, just as I said;
Pray you be silent where you stand,
And when I take her by the hand,
Sprinkle the May-dew on her—so!
Come hither, damsel! Now!
[The May-dew is sprinkled, and the Fool removes her veil.
Shyface.
Oh!
Sweet Heart.
Oh!
[They embrace.
Shyface.
You are Sweet Heart!
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I am! Who else!
Fool
(throwing off his disguise).
Regard!
Shyface.
The fool!
Sweet Heart.
I heard his bells
All through.
Fool.
And now you think you see
The glamour was but mockery.
Dumps
(rushing in).
Let me explain!
Fool.
No explanation!
Dumps.
Explaining things is my vocation,
And yet you will not hear.
Fool.
Away!
[Exit Dumps, weeping.
Shyface.
I know not what to think or say.
Sweet Heart.
In earnest let us end the play,
At all events.
Shyface.
Yes, end it thus (kissing her hand).
Fool.
For Handsome is that Handsome does.
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