Fiddler's Farewell/She Says; being Forbidden!

Fiddler's Farewell
by Leonora Speyer
She Says; being Forbidden!
4503498Fiddler's Farewell — She Says; being Forbidden!Leonora Speyer
She says, being forbidden:

And was there not a king somewhere who said:
"Back, waves! I do command you!" I forget
His name, beloved, or his race, and yet
I know the story and am comforted.
The tides will rise, are rising—see, they spread
About your robes, your ermine will be wet,
Your velvet shoes, your dear dear feet! Ah let
Me warn you, sir, the waves will reach your head!

My king, my kingly love, how shall we stay
The bold broad lifting of this lovely sea?
What is the master word that we must say
To bring these roaring waters to the knee?
The other king went scampering away!
Will you so do? Or will you drown with me?