Chastelard | Page 7

lies straight down in close-cut points and tongues, Not like blown hair.
The legend is writ small: Still one makes out this--*Cave*--if you look.
CHASTELARD. I see the Venus well enough, God wot, But nothing of
the legend.
QUEEN. Come, fair lord, Shall we dance now? My heart is good again.
[They dance a measure.]
DARNLEY. I do not like this manner of a dance, This game of two by
two; it were much better To meet between the changes and to mix Than
still to keep apart and whispering Each lady out of earshot with her
friend.
MARY BEATON. That 's as the lady serves her knight, I think: We are
broken up too much.

DARNLEY. Nay, no such thing; Be not wroth, lady, I wot it was the
queen Pricked each his friend out. Look you now--your ear-- If love
had gone by choosing--how they laugh, Lean lips together, and wring
hands underhand! What, you look white too, sick of heart, ashamed, No
marvel--for men call it--hark you though--
[They pass.]
MURRAY. Was the queen found no merrier in France?
MARY HAMILTON. Why, have you seen her sorrowful to-night?
MURRAY. I say not so much; blithe she seems at whiles, Gentle and
goodly doubtless in all ways, But hardly with such lightness and quick
heart As it was said.
MARY HAMILTON. 'Tis your great care of her Makes you misdoubt;
nought else.
MURRAY. Yea, may be so; She has no cause I know to sadden her.
[They pass.]
QUEEN. I am tired too soon; I could have danced down hours Two
years gone hence and felt no wearier. One grows much older
northwards, my fair lord; I wonder men die south; meseems all France
Smells sweet with living, and bright breath of days That keep men far
from dying. Peace; pray you now, No dancing more. Sing, sweet, and
make us mirth; We have done with dancing measures: sing that song
You call the song of love at ebb.
MARY BEATON.
[Sings.]
1. Between the sunset and the sea My love laid hands and lips on me;
Of sweet came sour, of day came night, Of long desire came brief
delight: Ah love, and what thing came of thee Between the sea-downs
and the sea?
2. Between the sea-mark and the sea Joy grew to grief, grief grew to me;
Love turned to tears, and tears to fire, And dead delight to new desire;
Love's talk, love's touch there seemed to be Between the sea-sand and
the sea.
3. Between the sundown and the sea Love watched one hour of love
with me; Then down the all-golden water-ways His feet flew after
yesterday's; I saw them come and saw them flee Between the sea-foam
and the sea.
4. Between the sea-strand and the sea Love fell on sleep, sleep fell on

me; The first star saw twain turn to one Between the moonrise and the
sun; The next, that saw not love, saw me Between the sea-banks and
the sea.
QUEEN. Lo, sirs, What mirth is here! Some song of yours, fair lord;
You know glad ways of rhyming--no such tunes As go to tears.
CHASTELARD. I made this yesterday; For its love's sake I pray you
let it live.
1. Apres tant de jours, apres tant de pleurs, Soyez secourable a mon
ame en peine. Voyez comme Avril fait l'amour aux fleurs; Dame
d'amour, dame aux belles couleurs, Dieu vous a fait belle, Amour vous
fait reine.
2. Rions, je t'en prie; aimons, je le veux. Le temps fuit et rit et ne
revient guere Pour baiser le bout de tes blonds cheveux, Pour baiser tes
cils, ta bouche et tes yeux; L'amour n'a qu'un jour aupres de sa mere.
QUEEN. 'T is a true song; love shall not pluck time back Nor time lie
down with love. For me, I am old; Have you no hair changed since you
changed to Scot? I look each day to see my face drawn up About the
eyes, as if they sucked the cheeks. I think this air and face of things
here north Puts snow at flower-time in the blood, and tears Between the
sad eyes and the merry mouth In their youth-days.
CHASTELARD. It is a bitter air.
QUEEN. Faith, if I might be gone, sir, would I stay? I think, for no
man's love's sake.
CHASTELARD. I think not.
QUEEN. Do you yet mind at landing how the quay Looked like a blind
wet face in waste of wind And washing of wan waves? how the hard
mist Made the hills ache? your songs lied loud, my knight, They said
my face would burn off cloud and rain Seen once, and fill the crannied
land with fire, Kindle the capes in their blind black-gray hoods-- I
know not