CH. Not with wine,
But water and the treasure of the bee.
[page 275][482-513] OED. And when leaf-shadowed Earth has drunk of this,
What follows?
CH. Thou shalt lay upon her then
From both thy hands a row of olive-twigs—
Counting thrice nine in all—and add this prayer—
OED. That is the chief thing,—that I long to hear.
CH. As we have named them Gentle, so may they
From gentle hearts accord their suppliant aid;—
Be this thy prayer, or whoso prays for thee,
Spoken not aloud, but so that none may hear;
And in departing, turn not. This being done,
I can stand by thee without dread. But else,
I needs must fear concerning thee.
OED. My daughters,
Have ye both heard our friends who inhabit here?
ANT. Yea, father; and we wait for thy command.
OED. I cannot go. Two losses hinder me,
Two evils, want of strength and want of sight.
Let one of you go and perform this service.
One soul, methinks, in paying such a debt
May quit a million, if the heart be pure.
Haste, then, to do it. Only leave me not
Untended. For I cannot move alone
Nor without some one to support me and guide.
ISM. I will be ministrant. But let me know
Where I must find the place of offering.
CH. Beyond this grove. And, stranger maid, if aught
Seem wanting, there is one at hand to show it.