No More Learning

Why do you cast a shadow? Answer me that.

_Dectora. _ Would that the storm that overthrew my ships,
And drowned the treasures of nine conquered nations,
And blew me hither to my lasting sorrow,
Had drowned me also. But, being yet alive,
I ask a fitting punishment for all
That raised their hands against him.

_Forgael. _ There are some
That weigh and measure all in these waste seas--
They that have all the wisdom that's in life,
And all that prophesying images
Made of dim gold rave out in secret tombs;
They have it that the plans of kings and queens
Are dust on the moth's wing; that nothing matters
But laughter and tears--laughter, laughter, and tears--
That every man should carry his own soul
Upon his shoulders.

_Dectora. _ You've nothing but wild words,
And I would know if you would give me vengeance.

_Forgael. _ When she finds out that I'll not let her go--
When she knows that.

_Dectora. _ What is it that you are muttering--
That you'll not let me go? I am a queen.

_Forgael.
_ Although you are more beautiful than any,
I almost long that it were possible;
But if I were to put you on that ship,
With sailors that were sworn to do your will,
And you had spread a sail for home, a wind
Would rise of a sudden, or a wave so huge,
It had washed among the stars and put them out,
And beat the bulwark of your ship on mine,
Until you stood before me on the deck--
As now.

_Dectora. _ Does wandering in these desolate seas
And listening to the cry of wind and wave
Bring madness?

_Forgael. _ Queen, I am not mad.

_Dectora. _ And yet you say the water and the wind
Would rise against me.

_Forgael. _ No, I am not mad--
If it be not that hearing messages
From lasting watchers that outlive the moon
At the most quiet midnight is to be stricken.

_Dectora. _ And did those watchers bid you take me captive?

_Forgael. _ Both you and I are taken in the net.
It was their hands that plucked the winds awake
And blew you hither; and their mouths have promised
I shall have love in their immortal fashion.
They gave me that old harp of the nine spells
That is more mighty than the sun and moon,
Or than the shivering casting-net of the stars,
That none might take you from me.

_Dectora_ [_first trembling back from the mast where the
harp is, and then laughing_].