The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand Part 5

[_FEDELM, troubled, has covered her eyes with her hands._

_Fedelm._ No, there are not four rivers, and those rhymes Praise Adam's Paradise.

_Seanchan._ I can remember now.

It's out of a poem I made long ago About the garden in the east of the world, And how spirits in the images of birds Crowd in the branches of old Adam's crab-tree; They come before me now and dig in the fruit With so much gluttony, and are so drunk With that harsh, wholesome savour that their feathers Are clinging one to another with the juice.

But you would take me to some friendly place, And I would go there quickly.

_Fedelm._ Come with me.

[_She helps him to rise. He walks slowly, supported by her till he comes to the table at R._

_Seanchan._ But why am I so weak? Have I been ill?

Sweetheart, why is it that I am so weak?

[_He sinks on to the seat._

_Fedelm._ I'll dip this piece of bread into the wine, For that will make you stronger for the journey.

_Seanchan._ Yes, give me bread and wine, that's what I want, For it is hunger that is gnawing me.

[_He takes bread from FEDELM, hesitates, and then thrusts it back into her hand._

But no, I must not eat it.

_Fedelm._ Eat, Seanchan, For if you do not eat it you will die.

_Seanchan._ Why did you give me food?

Why did you come?

For had I not enough to fight against Without your coming?

_Fedelm._ Eat this little crust, Seanchan, if you have any love for me.

_Seanchan._ I must not eat it: but that's beyond your wit; Child, child, I must not eat it though I die.

_Fedelm._ You do not know what love is, for if you loved You would put every other thought away But you have never loved me.

_Seanchan._ [_Seizing her by the wrist._] You, a child, Who have but seen a man out of the window, Tell me that I know nothing about love, And that I do not love you. Did I not say There was a frenzy in the light of the stars All through the livelong night, and that the night Was full of marriages? But that fight's over.

And all that's done with, and I have to die.

_Fedelm._ [_Throwing her arms about him._]

I will not be put from you, although I think I had not grudged it you if some great lady, If the King's daughter, had set out your bed.

I will not give you up to death; no, no, And are not these white arms and this soft neck Better than the brown earth?

_Seanchan._ I swear an oath Upon the holy tree that I'll not eat Until the King restore the right of the poets.

O Sun and Moon, and all things that have strength, Become my strength that I may put a curse On all things that would have me break this oath.

[_FEDELM has sunk down on the ground while he says this, and crouches at his feet._

_Fedelm._ Seanchan, do not curse me; from this out I will obey like any married wife.

Let me but lie before your feet.

_Seanchan._ Come nearer.

[_He kisses her._

If I had eaten when you bid me, sweetheart, The kiss of mult.i.tudes in times to come Had been the poorer.

_King._ [_Entering from house._] Has he eaten yet?

_Fedelm._ No, King, and will not till you have restored The right of the poets.

_King._ [_Coming down and standing before SEANCHAN._]

Seanchan, you have refused Everybody that I have sent, and now I come to you myself, and I have come To bid you put your pride as far away As I have put my pride. I had your love Not a great while ago, and now you have planned To put a voice by every cottage fire And in the night when no one sees who cries To cry against me till my throne has crumbled.

And yet if I give way I must offend My courtiers and n.o.bles till they too Strike at the crown. What would you have of me?

_Seanchan._ When did the poets promise safety, King?

_King._ Seanchan, I bring you bread in my own hands, And bid you eat it because of all these reasons, And for this further reason that I love you.

[_SEANCHAN pushes bread away with FEDELM'S hand._

You have refused it, Seanchan.

_Seanchan._ We have refused it.

_King._ I have been patient though I am a king, And have the means to force you--but that's ended, And I am but a king and you a subject.

[_He goes up steps._

n.o.bles and courtiers, bring the poets. .h.i.ther For you can have your way: I that was man With a man's heart am now all king again, Remembering that the seed I come of, although A hundred kings have sown it and re-sown it, Has neither trembled nor shrunk backward yet Because of the hard business of a king.

[_PRINCESSES, LADIES, and COURTIERS have come in with PUPILS, who have halters round their necks._

Speak to your master, beg your life of him, Show him the halters that are round your necks; If his heart's set upon it he may die, But you shall all die with him; beg your lives; Begin, for you have little time to lose; Begin it you that are the oldest pupil.

_Senias._ [_Going up to SEANCHAN._]

Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets.

_King._ Silence, you are as crazy as your master.

But that young boy that seems the youngest of you, I'd have him speak. Kneel down before him, boy, Hold up your hands to him that he may pluck That milky coloured neck out of the noose.

_Arias._ Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets.

[_All the PUPILS turn towards the KING, holding out the ends of their halters._

_Senias._ Gather the halters up into your hands And lead us where you will, for in all things But in our art we are obedient.

[_The KING comes slowly down the steps._