No More Learning

Let me be near you.
I will obey like any married wife.
Let me but lie before your feet.

SEANCHAN.

Come nearer.

[_Kisses her. _

If I had eaten when you bid me, sweetheart,
The kiss of multitudes in times to come
Had been the poorer.

[_Enter KING from palace, followed by the two
PRINCESSES. _

KING.

[_To FEDELM. _]

Has he eaten yet?

FEDELM.

No, King, and will not till you have restored
The right of the poets.

KING.

[_Coming down and standing before SEANCHAN.
_]

Seanchan, you have refused
Everybody that I have sent, and now
I come to you myself; and I have come
To bid you put your pride as far away
As I have put my pride. I had your love
Not a great while ago, and now you have planned
To put a voice by every cottage fire,
And in the night when no one sees who cries,
To cry against me till my throne has crumbled.
And yet if I give way I must offend
My courtiers and nobles till they, too,
Strike at the crown. What would you have of me?

SEANCHAN.

When did the poets promise safety, King?

KING.

Seanchan, I bring you bread in my own hands,
And bid you eat because of all these reasons,
And for this further reason, that I love you.

[_SEANCHAN pushes bread away, with FEDELM'S hand. _

You have refused it, Seanchan?

SEANCHAN.

We have refused it.

KING.

I have been patient, though I am a king,
And have the means to force you. But that's ended,
And I am but a king, and you a subject.
Nobles and courtiers, bring the poets hither;

[_Enter COURT LADIES, MONK, SOLDIER, CHAMBERLAIN, and
COURTIERS with PUPILS, who have halters round their
necks.