King Arthur's Socks and Other Village Plays Part 21

THE PRINCE. I made my choice long ago, before I knew you.

THE QUEEN. And now you are afraid to change your mind?

THE PRINCE. Do you think a brave man changes his mind for pleasure's sake?

THE QUEEN. Forgive me. If it is your happiness to go on, to what end I do not know, I will let you. I do not wish to make you unhappy. But I would give you something to take with you, one more flower of my garden, an unfading rose that shall be like a bright memory of me in your heart always. Will you take it?

_She leads him back into the palace. The sailor enters, supported by the fool_.

THE SAILOR. (_drunkenly_) Where--where is my Prince? I have a message for him.

THE FOOL. So you said. But you haven't finished telling me about that girl. Her eyes were blue, you said.

THE SAILOR. Blue, yes. If I said blue, then blue it was. Or maybe green, or grey. Maybe I'm. thinking of the hussy back in the last port we stopped at. It's all the same. Reminds me of a little song. Shall I sing you a little song?

THE FOOL. Another song? Sing away then.

THE SAILOR. First another drink from this flagon. Ah! Now I'm ready.

I've often been complimented on my voice. (_Sings_)

We'll go no more a-roving-

No, that's not the one. Let me see. Ah, now I've got it. Listen.

(_Sings_)

Blue eyes, grey eyes, green-and-gold eyes, Eyes that question, doubt, deny, Sudden-flas.h.i.+ng, cold, hard, bold eyes, Here's your answer: I am I!

Not for you, and not for any, Came I into this man's town-- Barkeep, here's my golden penny, Come who will and drink it down!

I'm not one to lend and borrow, I'm not one to overstay-- I shall go alone tomorrow Whistling, as I came today.

Leave my sword alone, you hussy!

There is blood upon the blade-- Dragon-slaying is a messy Sort of trade. Put back the blade!

Take my knee and--O you darling!

A man forgets how sweet you are!

Snarling dragons--flowing flagons-- Devil take the morning star!

THE FOOL. Bravo!

THE SAILOR. And there you are! If I do say it myself, I have as good a time as the Prince does. One girl's as nice as another--and maybe nicer, at that. What's a Queen? Can she kiss better than any other girl? I've wondered a bit about it. And the conclusion I've come to is... the conclusion I've come to...

THE FOOL. The conclusion you've come to is--?

THE SAILOR. Right you are. Give me that flagon. That's the stuff. What was I saying? The conclusion I've come to is that the Prince can't have any more fun in three days than any other man. Queen or no Queen. Am I right? Tell me, am I right?

THE FOOL. I wouldn't contradict you....

THE SAILOR. No. Of course you wouldn't. You're a good fellow. You're my friend. Where's that flagon? Ah! And now it's your turn to sing. Sing that little song you sang a while ago. That was a good one. You sing almost as well as I do.

THE FOOL. (_chants_)

In this harsh world and old Why must we cherish Fires that grow not cold In hearts that perish?

With the strong floods of hate I cleansed my bosom, But springeth soon and late The fiery blossom.

What though some lying tale The mind dissembles?

The scarlet lip turns pale, The strong hand trembles....

THE SAILOR. No, no, not that one! That one hasn't any tune to it, and it isn't about girls. It's no song at all. I meant the one--you know-- about the young widow. How did it go? (_He swigs from the flagon_.) But I mustn't forget the Prince. Where's that Prince?

THE FOOL. Oh, yes, the Prince. Of course. We mustn't forget the Prince.

Come along with me. (_He leads the sailor off through the rose-arbour.

The door of the palace opens, disclosing the Prince and the Queen_.)

_He clasps her hands and then descends the steps_.

THE QUEEN. Wait!

_She runs down, and tenderly embraces him_.

THE PRINCE. Farewell.

THE QUEEN. Must you go?

THE PRINCE. I shall remember you always.

THE QUEEN. (_bitterly_) I suppose that is enough. . . .

_They come down the steps together_.

THE PRINCE. What is that you say?

THE QUEEN. I say that it is enough that you should think of me sometimes on your long journey from the east to the west. To be remembered--that is the portion of women.

THE PRINCE. You knew what manner of man I was, and that I would not be detained. Why, if you must have the taste of kisses on your lips always, did you not turn to some man of your own land, who would not stray from your side? Why did you give your love to one you had never seen before, and will never see again? I did not ask that you love me.

What you gave, I took.

THE QUEEN. I regret nothing that I have given. But I am sorry for you, because you do not understand.

THE PRINCE. It may be that I do not understand. But I know that I may not stay longer in this place. Would you ask me to do otherwise?

THE QUEEN. I would not ask you, no. If you understood, I would have no need of asking. If all things in your life have not changed colour and significance--if I have been to you but as a harlot to one of your sailors,--then leave me.

THE PRINCE. (_confusedly_) It is not true that nothing has changed. My mind is in a turmoil. I am dizzy, I cannot see. I have almost forgotten why I set my heart on this journey. You have bewitched me, and that is why I fear you. If I stay here with you any longer, I shall forget everything. I must go.

THE QUEEN. (_her arms about him_) You have forgotten the meaning of your journey. You will not go.