III
VASHTI AND THE KING'S WOMEN AT THEIR FEAST
1st Woman. Queen, is it well to be so sorrowful?
2nd Woman.
And when the King our lord spendeth on us
This festival out of his rich heart, to shoot
Thy looks upon us as thou wouldst rebuke us?
Vashti. Your pardon: do I trouble your greed?
1st Woman. Our greed? Rather our gratitude——
2nd Woman.
That we have share
In these devices of the King's own cooks,
These costly breads,—
1st Woman. And these delicious meats, These sauces mixt of spicy treacle and balm.
3rd Woman.
And wines, purple and blue and like gold fire,
Made of the colours of the morning sea
And fragrance wild as woman's need of love.
Vashti. Enjoy them then: who lets you?