To me nothing hath ever tasted half so sweet.
Pray come nearer to me ... I will take the crumbs from thy lap ... So--why is it that suddenly I am hungry? See, now we celebrate our marriage feast.
And better than those without, with meat and wine--do we not?
Well, did I not tell thee?... But thou hast a bad seat!
Upon the throne--for God's sake--how dare I----?
If I must sit there in earnest! But in jest--nay!
Ah, the stupid bit of wood! (_He hurls down the throne_.) At least it should be of use for something!... So now lean against it!
Nay! (_He sets the throne up again, leads her to her former place, and places her head against the seat_.) There indeed thou art well seated--yea!... And we trespass not against this trash. If the Bishop had seen that--he, ha, ha, ha! Wait, I will eat again!
Still--remain quite still! I shall fetch it for myself. (_He kneels upon the podium beside her_.) Now I am quite upon my knees before thee.... What is there that we do not learn!... Thou art beautiful!... I never knew my mother!
Never had a sister.... No one.... Never played in my life.... That I am surely learning last not least.
Ask not--nay? Ah thou, thou! Ha, ha, ha! Pray eat! Bite from mine--yea? Obediently--thou knowest what the Bishop said?
Ah, surely! Bring me only the milk jar! Bring me only the milk jar.... Thou knowest the one that Ildibad told us of.
That is indeed it. But thou also must drink.
So be it, then. (_She drinks and shakes with laughter_.) Ugh! That hath a bad taste.
Give it to me. (_He drinks_.) Nay! (_He drinks again_.) Go!... Art thou then such a despiser of nourishment?... Yea, who art thou then? And how comest thou hither? And just what wilt thou of me?
Thou--my wife! Thou ... (_They fly into one another's arms. Softly_.) And wilt thou not kiss me?
(_Wipes his month in terror, then in assumed anger_.) What have I? Knowest thou not who I am? How then dost thou suffer thyself to tell thy King he--say it yet once more! I will but see.
Sire, thou calledst? (_He stands rigid with astonishment, and is about to retire silently_.)
(_Collects himself abruptly. He appears to wake out of a dream. His manners and bearing revert to the gloomy energy which previously had the ascendency_.) Stop, stay, what happens without?