Page:Plays in Prose and Verse (1922).djvu/118

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102
THE KING'S THRESHOLD

other cripple. Yes, better come away.

[They go out.

seanchan [staggering, and speaking wearily].
He has great strength
And great patience to hold his right hand there,
Uplifted, and not wavering about.
He is much stronger than I am, much stronger.

[Sinks down on steps. mayor and fedelm have entered.

mayor. He is delirious now.

fedelm. Before I speak
Of food or drink I'll take him out of this.
For while he is on this threshold and can hear,
It may be, the voices that made mock of him,
He would not listen.

mayor. No, speak to him at once.
Press food upon him while delirious
And he may eat not knowing what he does.

[mayor goes out.

fedelm. Seanchan! Seanchan!

[He remains looking into the sky.

Can you not hear me, Seanchan?
It is myself.

[He looks at her, dreamily at first, then takes her hand.

seanchan. Is this your hand, Fedelm
I have been looking at another hand
That is up yonder.

fedelm. I have come for you.