Page:Foggerty.djvu/354

350


 * Q. Nay, be not sad, my lord!
 * Sad, loved Queen?

If by an effort of the will I could Revoke the ever-present Past—disperse The gaunt and gloomy ghosts of bygone deeds, Or bind them with unperishable chains In caverns of the past incarcerate, Then could I smile again—but not till then!
 * Q. Oh, my dear lord!

If aught there be that gives thy soul unrest, Tell it to me!
 * Well-loved and faithful wife,

Tender companion of my faltering life. Yes; I can trust thee! Listen then to me: Fifty years since—when but a headstrong lad— I wrote a five-act tragedy!
 * Q. (interested). Indeed?
 * A play, writ by a king—
 * Q. And such a King!—
 * Finds ready market. It was read at once.

But ere 'twas read, accepted. Then the Press Teemed with portentous import. Elsinore Was duly placarded by willing hands;