Woman? As I love
Flowers in their season. A rose is but a rose.
ALBOVINE.
Dost thou know rose from thistle or bindweed? Man,
Speak as our north wind speaks, if harsh and hard—
Truth.
NARSETES.
White I know from red, and dark from bright,
And milk from blood in hawthorn-flowers: but not
Woman from woman.
ALBOVINE.
How should God our Lord,
Except his eye see further than his world?
For women ever make themselves anew,
Meseems, to match and mock the maker. Friend,
If ever I were friend of thine in fight,
Speak, and I bid thee not speak truth: I know
Thy tongue knows nought but truth or silence.
NARSETES.
Is it
A king’s or friend’s part, king, to bid his friend
Speak what he knows not? Speak then thou, that I
May find thy will and answer it.
ALBOVINE.