Part 25 (1/2)

I bid thee live and laugh at wicked foes Even as my sire and I do. What! 'G.o.d knows,'

Thou sayest, and yet art fearful? Is he not Righteous, that we should fear to take the lot Forth of his hand that deals it? And my sire, Kind as the sun in heaven, and strong as fire, Hath he not G.o.d upon his side and ours, Even all the G.o.ds and stars and all their powers?

ESTRILD.

I know not. Fate at sight of thee should break His covenant--doom grow gentle for thy sake.

SABRINA.

Wherefore?

ESTRILD.

Because thou knowest not wherefore. Child, My days were darkened, and the ways were wild Wherethrough my dark doom led me toward this end, Ere I beheld thy sire, my lord, my friend, My king, my stay, my saviour. Let thine hand Lie still in mine. Thou canst not understand, Yet would I tell thee somewhat. Ere I knew If aught of evil or good were false or true, If aught of life were worth our hope or fear, There fell on me the fate that sets us here.

For in my father's kingdom oversea -

SABRINA.

Thou wast not born in Britain?

ESTRILD.

Woe is me, No: happier hap had mine perchance been then.

SABRINA.

And was not I? Are these all stranger men?

ESTRILD.

Ay, wast thou, child--a Briton born: G.o.d give Thy name the grace on British tongues to live!

SABRINA.

Is that so good a gift of G.o.d's--to die And leave a name alive in memory? I Would rather live this river's life, and be Held of no less or more account than he.

Lo, how he lives and laughs! and hath no name, Thou sayest--or one forgotten even of fame That lives on poor men's lips and falters down To nothing. But thy father? and his crown?

Did he less hate the coil of it than mine, Or love thee less--nay, then he were not thine - Than he, my sire, loves me?

ESTRILD.

And wilt thou hear All? Child, my child, love born of love, more dear Than very love was ever! Hearken then.

This plague, this fire, that hunts us--Guendolen - Was wedded to thy sire ere I and he Cast ever eyes on either. Woe is me!

Thou canst not dream, sweet, what my soul would say And not affright thee.

SABRINA.

Thou affright me? Nay, Mock not. This evil woman--when he knew Thee, this my sweet good mother, wise and true - He cast from him and hated.

ESTRILD.

Yea--and now For that shall haply he and I and thou Die.