Act 2 — Scene VI.
Reading edition
The Queen:
Let the dance go on! [The Queen looks round; Herbert and Miss Fitton are standing L.C. The Queen calls “Lord Herbert.” Herbert goes on talking to Miss Fitton as if he did not hear.]
Miss Fitton:
[In a loud whisper.] Go, the Queen calls, go.
Lord Herbert.
[To Miss Fitton.] But will you promise?
92The Queen:
Lord Herbert!
Miss Fitton:
Go, I’ll forgive you, go.
Herbert:
But will you promise?
The Queen:
[Turning to a Servant.] Send Lord Herbert to me.
Miss Fitton:
[As the servant nears the couple.] Yes, I promise—sometime—go! [Herbert, bowing low to Miss Fitton, swings round, walks to the Queen, and puts one knee to the ground.]
The Queen:
[Angrily.] You forget your manners, my lord, and your duty.
Herbert:
[Smiling.] Manners, ma’am, and duty are worthless frozen words: my allegiance to you is an irresistible passion; as, you know, the desire of the moth for the light.
93The Queen:
Methinks, the moth is quite content with blackness, here. [With a glance at Miss Fitton.]
Herbert:
The eyes that suffer through excess of radiance close of themselves to rest.
The Queen:
[As if pacified or negligent.] You may dance, my lord. [Amid the astonished silence and observation of all, Herbert bows and draws backward towards Miss Fitton.] Go on with the dance. The Coranto, not that kissing thing. [The Pages remove the cushions.]
Lady Jane Wroth:
[To Sir John Stanley.] She hates to see others kissing.
Stanley:
That’s morality. [The talk breaks out again, and the dance goes on. In a moment or so Herbert is at Miss Fitton’s side, and they dance round.]
The Queen:
[As they pass, calls] Lord Herbert! [He dances on as if he didn’t hear. The Queen descends from 94her throne, and takes him by the ear.] Are you deaf to-night? I will dance with you. [Lord Herbert bows, smiling, and they dance a measure or two; the Queen holds up her dress very high and marks each step elaborately in bygone fashion: when they come to C.]
Herbert:
I knew I’d win you.
The Queen:
Win me?
Herbert:
And now I have succeeded.
The Queen:
What do you mean?
Herbert:
Jealousy is the best proof of love.
The Queen:
You saucy boy! [They dance to the entrance, R. He holds the cloth, and the Queen passes through. As the cloth falls, Herbert turns and hastens back to Miss Fitton, who moves to meet him: the others are dispersing; the servants begin to dismantle the tent.]
95Herbert:
Did I keep my word?
Miss Fitton:
How bold you are!
Herbert:
And you—beautiful. Remember! you promised.
Miss Fitton:
[Hesitates, then looking at him nods as if reflecting.] I did promise.
Herbert:
Come, then.
Miss Fitton:
Oh no; not to-night. To-night I must—I could not. I could not. It is so late. I said “sometime.”
Herbert:
You are too proud to cheat. I have your word. Come: it’ll soon be midnight.
Miss Fitton:
Midnight!
Herbert:
Yes, midnight. What of that?
96Miss Fitton:
Nothing: nothing——
Herbert:
Come, then. You are not afraid of the dark with me.
[While speaking he puts his arm round her, kisses her and draws her towards entrance, C. There he takes cloaks; wraps her in one and puts the other on. They go. The stage darkens. A servant comes in, takes up something and goes away. The stage darkens; stars appear. Midnight sounds from some neighbouring clock. On the first stroke Shakespeare enters from L., moves to trysting-place and waits. No one comes. In the distance faintly he hears his own song growing clearer as if the singer were passing by: “I am my own fever, my own fever and pain.” He moves about restlessly while the song dies away.]