SERVICE. The King, her father, has sent proclamations forth that whoso can bring back the smiles to Douce-coeur's lips, the sunshine to her face, whoso can win her from the Gray Woman's side, on him shall half the kingdom be bestowed and Douce-coeur's hand in marriage. The Heralds have gone crying this abroad, and we have word three suitors are traveling here post-haste.
POETRY. I know not who these suitors chance to be But not by them may Sorrow be cast out. One only holds a mightier spell than hers, And I will send my constant messenger To seek him to the ends of all the Earth. Come to me, Child, who holdst Eternal Youth.
POETRY. Yea, child of my Heart, Go out into the wilderness for me. Find me the Stranger in a Pilgrim's garb Around whose head the song birds pipe their lays, Beneath whose feet the withered flowers revive. Say, "In the Court of Youth Queen Sorrow reigns And shadows lie like night on Douce-coeur's heart."
HOPE. In the great Court of Youth, Queen Sorrow reigns And shadows lie like night on Douce-coeur's heart.
POETRY. Bid him come hither. Haste thee on thy way.
[_Exit HOPE. Trumpet music. Herald heard off. "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!"_]
[_Enter HERALD repeating "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!"_]
HERALD [_facing audience_]. Know all whom it may concern throughout this realm, that as One has come and brought darkness on the Land, to all good people is this Proclamation made. Whoso can drive the Gray Woman forth, whoso can free the Princess Douce-coeur from her spell, whoso can bring back the sunshine to the Land, unto him will be given the half of the kingdom, and the Hand of the Princess Douce-coeur in marriage. Given on this day of June. "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!"
[_Exit HERALD. "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!" dies away in the distance._]
[_Music. Enter JOY, LAUGHTER, SONG and DANCE, followed by PRINCESS DOUCE-COEUR and SORROW._]
SORROW. Ye children of the Court, your hour has struck. Your doom of banishment has been pronounced, For where I am there can ye never be.
SONG. Douce-coeur, I pray thee hear me. Let me sing One of the old songs that we loved--may be The memory of those happy days will rise And lift the weight of sadness from thy face.
POETRY. Douce-coeur, I charge thee, listen. All the past Of Childhood calls thee in the voice of Song.