THE EMPEROR

Wild over bow and bulwark swept the sea
Unto the iron coast upon our lee,
Like painted cloth its fury was to me,
For still thy hands led down the weary way.

THE EMPRESS

They spoke to me of war within the land,
They bade me sign defiance and command;
I heeded not though thy name left my hand,
For still I dreamed of thee throughout the day.

THE EMPEROR

But now that I am come, and side by side
We go, and men cry gladly on the bride
And tremble at the image of my pride,
Where is thy hand to lead me down the way?

THE EMPRESS

But now that thou art come, and heaven and earth
Are laughing in the fulness of their mirth,
A shame I knew not in my heart has birth—­
—­Draw me through dreams unto the end of day!

THE EMPEROR

Behold, behold, how weak my heart is grown
Now all the heat of its desire is known! 
Pearl beyond price I fear to call mine own,
Where is thy hand to lead me down the way?

THE EMPRESS

Behold, behold, how little I may move! 
Think in thy heart how terrible is Love,
O thou who know’st my soul as God above—­
—­Draw me through dreams unto the end of day!

The stage for the play in another part of the street, and the people thronging all about.

GILES

Here, Joan, this is so good a place
’Tis worth the scramble and the race! 
There is the Empress just sat down,
Her white hands on her golden gown,
While yet the Emperor stands to hear
The welcome of the bald-head Mayor
Unto the show; and you shall see
The player-folk come in presently. 
The king of whom is e’en that one,
Who wandering but a while agone
Stumbled upon our harvest-home
That August when you might not come. 
Betwixt the stubble and the grass
Great mirth indeed he brought to pass. 
But liefer were I to have seen
Your nimble feet tread down the green
In threesome dance to pipe and fife.

JOAN

Thou art a dear thing to my life,
And nought good have I far to seek—­
But hearken! for the Mayor will speak.

THE MAYOR