That tightly curled about it! See it now—
A full-blown rose, and opened to the night.
The gentle winds, the moon, and all the stars!
And thus it is with me; no more am I
A child. And so these restless thoughts
Are but to show me that I now am grown,
And that my life has opened like the rose.
[Enter Hope.]
| Hope. Dear Everygirl, these words you speak are true, Hark! do you hear that far-off voice? Listen! It is the World’s voice, Everygirl. It calls— And you must follow, when the World calls. I know the garden bids you stay, And yet the World is stronger; you must go. So, Everygirl, this night I come with cheer— To say that you may choose three friends to go Journeying with you hand in hand, to share All joys and sorrows that the World may give. Think well, and choose with care these three, For they shall go with you forever. |
Everygirl. Dear lady, will you go with me?