The Lady.
Alack! poor scholar, wast thou never taught
A little knowledge serveth less than naught?
Hadst thou perused —— but, stay, I will explain
What was the writing which thou didst disdain.
[Reads.]
"Au Petit Trianon, at night's full noon,
Mortal, beware the kisses of the moon!
Whoso seeks her she gathers like a flower—
He gives a life, and only gains an hour."
Pierrot [laughing recklessly].
Bear me away to thine enchanted bower,
All of my life I venture for an hour.
The Lady.
Take up thy destiny of short delight;
I am thy lady for a summer's night.
Lift up your viols, maidens of my train,
And work such havoc on this mortal's brain
That for a moment he may touch and know
Immortal things, and be full Pierrot.
White music, Nymphs! Violet and Eglantine!
To stir his tired veins like magic wine.
What visitants across his spirit glance,
Lying on lilies, while he watch me dance?
Watch, and forget all weary things of earth,
All memories and cares, all joy and mirth,
While my dance woos him, light and rhythmical,
And weaves his heart into my coronal.
Music, more music for his soul's delight:
Love is his lady for a summer's night.
[Pierrot reclines, and gazes at her while she dances. The dance finished, she beckons to him: he rises dreamily, and stands at her side.]
Pierrot.
Whence came, dear Queen, such magic melody?
The Lady.
Pan made it long ago in Arcady.
Pierrot.
I heard it long ago, I know not where,
As I knew thee, or ever I came here.
But I forget all things—my name and race
All that I ever knew except thy face.
Who art thou, lady? Breathe a name to me,
That I may tell it like a rosary.
Thou, whom I sought, dear Dryad of the trees,
How art thou designate—art thou Heart's-Ease?
The Lady.
Waste not the night in idle questioning,
Since Love departs at dawn's awakening.
Pierrot.
Nay, thou art right; what recks thy name or state,
Since thou art lovely and compassionate.
Play out thy will on me: I am thy lyre.
The Lady.
I am to each the face of his desire.
Pierrot.
I am not Pierrot, but Venus' dove,
Who craves a refuge on the breast of love.