The Poems and Prose of Ernest Dowson, With a Memoir by Arthur Symons Part 10

PIERROT I dare not tell.

THE LADY[_Caressingly._]

Come, say!

PIERROT Is love all schooling, with no time to play?

THE LADY Though all love's lessons be a holiday, Yet I will humour thee: what wouldst thou play?

PIERROT What are the games that small moon-maids enjoy.

Or is their time all spent in staid employ?

THE LADY Sedate they are, yet games they much enjoy: They skip with stars, the rainbow is their toy.

PIERROT That is too hard!

THE LADY For mortal's play.

PIERROT What then?

THE LADY Teach me some pastime from the world of men.

PIERROT I have it, maiden.

THE LADY Can it soon be taught?

PIERROT A simple game, I learnt it at the Court.

I sit by thee.

THE LADY But, prithee, not so near.

PIERROT That is essential, as will soon appear, Lay here thine hand, which cold night dews anoint, Washing its white--

THE LADY Now is this to the point?

PIERROT Prithee, forbear! Such is the game design.

THE LADY Here is my hand.

PIERROT I cover it with mine.

THE LADY What must I next?

[_They play._]

PIERROT Withdraw.

THE LADY It goes too fast.

[_They continue playing, until Pierrot catches her hand._]

PIERROT[_Laughing._]

'Tis done. I win my forfeit at the last.

[_He tries to embrace her. She escapes; he chases her round the stage; she eludes him._]

THE LADY Thou art not quick enough. Who hopes to catch A moon-beam, must use twice as much despatch.

PIERROT[_Sitting down sulkily._]

I grow aweary, and my heart is sore, Thou dost not love me; I will play no more.

[_He buries his face in his hands: the lady stands over him._]

THE LADY What is this petulance?

PIERROT 'Tis quick to tell-- Thou hast but mocked me.

THE LADY Nay, I love thee well!

PIERROT Repeat those words, for still within my breast A whisper warns me they are said in jest.

THE LADY I jested not: at daybreak I must go, Yet loving thee far better than thou know.

PIERROT Then, by this altar, and this sacred shrine, Take my sworn troth, and swear thee wholly mine!

The G.o.ds have wedded mortals long ere this.

THE LADY There was enough betrothal in my kiss.

What need of further oaths?

PIERROT That bound not thee!

THE LADY Peace! since I tell thee that it may not be.

But sit beside me whilst I soothe thy bale With some moon fancy or celestial tale.

PIERROT Tell me of thee, and that dim, happy place Where lies thine home, with maidens of thy race!

THE LADY[_Seating herself._]

Calm is it yonder, very calm; the air For mortal's breath is too refined and rare; Hard by a green lagoon our palace rears Its dome of agate through a myriad years.

A hundred chambers its bright walls enthrone, Each one carved strangely from a precious stone.

Within the fairest, clad in purity, Our mother dwelleth immemorially: Moon-calm, moon-pale, with moon stones on her gown The floor she treads with little pearls is sown; She sits upon a throne of amethysts, And orders mortal fortunes as she lists; I, and my sisters, all around her stand, And, when she speaks, accomplish her demand.

PIERROT Methought grim Clotho and her sisters twain With shrivelled fingers spun this web of bane!

THE LADY Theirs and my mother's realm is far apart, Hers is the l.u.s.trous kingdom of the heart, And dreamers all, and all who sing and love, Her power acknowledge, and her rule approve.

PIERROT Me, even me, she hath led into this grove.

THE LADY Yea, thou art one of hers! But, ere this night, Often I watched my sisters take their flight Down heaven's stairway of the cl.u.s.tered stars To gaze on mortals through their lattice bars; And some in sleep they woo with dreams of bliss Too shadowy to tell, and some they kiss.

But all to whom they come, my sisters say, Forthwith forget all joyance of the day, Forget their laughter and forget their tears, And dream away with singing all their years-- Moon-lovers always!

[_She sighs._]