Part 13 (1/2)

Bring me my spinning-wheel.

[Child _brings it._

_Ire. (spinning)._ The light is fading fast, but I would choose This twilight, if thou wilt not be afraid Of the darkness, little one.

_Child._ Nay, that I am not, With one so good as thou.

_Ire._ Nay, child, it may be I am not all thou think'st me.

_Child._ But, dear lady, Are not all n.o.ble ladies good?

_Ire._ Not all, Nor many, maybe.

_Child._ To be sure they are not, Else were they not imprisoned.

_Ire._ Little one, Not all who pine in prison are not good, Nor innocent who go free.

_Child._ The Lady Gycia, Is she not good?

_Ire._ It may be that she is.

'Tis a vile world, my child.

_Child._ Nay, I am sure The Lady Gycia is as white and pure As are the angels. When my mother died She did commend me to her, and she promised To keep me always.

_Ire._ But she sent me here.

_Child._ Ah! lady, then I fear thou art not good.

I am sorry for thee.

_Ire._ So, my child, am I.

[_The tramp of armed feet is heard again._

_Child._ Ah! lady, what is that? I am afraid.

What means that noise?

_Ire._ What didst thou hear, my child?

_Child._ A tramp of armed men and ring of mail.

_Ire._ Then, 'tis no fancy of my weary brain.

If it comes again I must inquire into it.

'Tis pa.s.sing strange. Be not afraid, my child.

'Twas but the wind which echoed through the void Of the vast storehouses below us. Come,

[_Spinning._

Let us to spinning. Twirl and twirl and twirl; 'Tis a strange task.

_Child._ Lady, I love it dearly.

My mother span, and I would sit by her The livelong day.

_Ire._ Didst ever hear the tale Of the Fates and how they spin?