Page:Plays in Prose and Verse (1922).djvu/126

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THE KING'S THRESHOLD

For you can have your way. I that was man,
With a man’s heart, am now all king again,
Speak to your master; beg your life of him;
Show him the halter that is round your necks.
If his heart’s set upon it, he may die;
But you shall all die with him.

[Goes up steps.

Beg your lives!
Begin, for you have little time to lose.
Begin it, you that are the oldest pupil.

oldest pupil. Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets.

king. Silence! you are as crazy as your master.
But that young boy, that seems the youngest of you
I’d have him speak. Kneel down before him, boy;
Hold up your hands to him that you may pluck
That milky-coloured neck out of the noose.

youngest pupil. Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets.

seanchan. Come nearer me that I may know how face
Differs from face and touch you with my hands.
O more than kin, O more than children could be,
For children are but born out of our blood