Part 17 (2/2)

_D._ Are your feelings hurt by this chatter?

_P._ Danor, now I conjure thee By Saint Pol and by Saint Paul 200 Hearken to me.

_Z._ Your intelligence is small.

_P._ Then shall you hark unwillingly.

By the Mother of G.o.d most holy And her heavenly dignity, 205 Her humility on earth That had power to scale high Heaven, And her own imperial worth Whereby in the Virgin birth The incarnate Christ to earth was given.

210 _Z._ Say no more, accursed knave, We'll obey: what wouldst thou have?

_P._ 'Tis my will and my desire That unto those ladies there This very hour you should have care 215 Polyxena of Troy to bring: Come she, for beauty's heightening, In rich attire, Fair as she was fair of yore.

_D._ With what a thras.h.i.+ng shouldst thou rue it 220 Could I but do it.

But thou hast taken my strength away.

_P._ Let her come by land or sea Straightway and most peacefully.

_Z._ And as to subscriptions for the war 225 Hast thou any t.i.the to pay?

_P._ Without delay Polyxena bring And joyfully Before her shall you dance and sing.

_Z._ They'll send another elephant yet 230 And you'll have to pay the tax for it.

_Polyxena comes and says:_

_Pol._ Wherefore hither am I come?

O how great my affliction is Since against my will you bring Me to further suffering.

235 For he who lives in misery's stress Can but borrow From seen pleasures a new sorrow.

But what a fairy court is this In which beauty has its home!

240 The palace of Troy was not your peer Nor rival in magnificence, I see a greater Priam here Cesar of sovran excellence, A Hecuba of n.o.bler mien, 245 A flawless queen In power humanely gentle: hence Apollo's and Diana's reign Heaven confirmeth in the twain.

And you, Prince most excellent, 250 Give me liberal reward: From your promise is none debarred, It fills all men with content, And the planets of Heaven's abode Had word of G.o.d 255 That to you be greatness sent And fortune's favour even more Than to those who reigned before.

And for you, most lovely flower, Princess Dona Isabel, 260 The Lord of Heaven in His power Marshalled in host innumerable The sky and all its company, And Jove as judge did then ordain That as empress you should reign 265 O'er Castille and Germany.

You, O Prince Dom Ferdinand, Since prudence is your special share And with favourable wand Mercury holds you in his arms, 270 Wealth and prosperity shall bless In quietness Without toil or any care, Turmoil or loud war's alarms: This for you the G.o.ds have planned.

275 For you, Princess Beatrice, Your sure destiny it is To be married happily Unto France's fleur-de-lys.

And the world has more in store 280 For you, yea more Than you imagine shall be given.

Princes, leave all cares of yore Since you have the ear of Heaven.

_P._ What say you to the roses there 285 And this vale of loveliness?

_Pol._ Would that fortune were no less Fair to me than they are fair!

How gleams the Court in radiancy, What an array 290 Of beauty is there here to see!

O that it were given me Ever in this life to stay!

_D._ In _this_ life! Thine another school.

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