SCENE V.—Lord Seaford's house; Lady Gertrude's room. LADY GERTRUDE lying on a couch; LILIA seated beside her, with the girl's hand in both hers.
Lady Gertrude.
How kind of you to come! And you will stay
And be my beautiful nurse till I grow well?
I am better since you came. You look so sweet,
It brings all summer back into my heart.
Lilia.
I am very glad to come. Indeed, I felt
No one could nurse you quite so well as I.
Lady Gertrude.
How kind of you! Do call me sweet names now;
And put your white cool hands upon my head;
And let me lie and look in your great eyes:
'Twill do me good; your very eyes are healing.
Lilia.
I must not let you talk too much, dear child.
Lady Gertrude.
Well, as I cannot have my music-lesson,
And must not speak much, will you sing to me?
Sing that strange ballad you sang once before;
'Twill keep me quiet.
Lilia.
What was it, child?
Lady Gertrude.
It was
Something about a race—Death and a lady—
Lilia.
Oh! I remember. I would rather sing
Some other, though.
Lady Gertrude.
No, no, I want that one.
Its ghost walks up and down inside my head,
But won't stand long enough to show itself.
You must talk Latin to it—sing it away,
Or when I'm ill, 'twill haunt me.