Days of brightness, days of smiles,
Read I here or Fate beguiles!
Princess S. O these fortunes are like lines from a fairy book! Surely we are not all going to be happy!
Gip. I ’ll read for you, madam.
Princess S. But let not your change of song begin with me, dark mother!
Gip. (Reading)
Days of darkness, days of moan!
A friend shall sigh, a friend shall fall,
And wring thy bosom more than all
The sorrow that thou yet hast known!
Princess S. O think better of it, mother!
Gip. Your sweet eyes deserve a better portion than tears, and I read too,
But ere thy last hour be nigh
Sorrow from thy breast shall fly!
Princess S. A friend, you say? I thank you, ’t was not my husband!