Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/485

Rh "Per. That's your superstition.

"1 Sail. Pardon us, sir; with us at sea it still hath been observed; and we are strong in earnest. Therefore briefly yield her; for she must overboard straight.

"Per. Be it as you think meet. Most wretched queen!

"Lyc. Here she lies, sir.

"Per. A terrible child-bed hast thou had, my dear;

No light, no fire: the unfriendly elements

Forgot thee utterly; nor have I time

To give thee hallow'd to thy grave, but straight

Must cast thee, scarcely coffin'd, in the ooze;

Where, for a monument upon thy bones,

And aye-remaining lamps, the belching whale,

And humming water must o'erwhelm thy corpse,

Lying with simple shells. Lychorida,

Bid Nestor bring me spices, ink, and paper,

My casket and my jewels; and bid Nicander

Bring me the satin coffer: lay the babe

Upon the pillow: hie thee, whiles I say

A priestly farewell to her: suddenly, woman.

"2 Sail. Sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches, caulk'd and bitumed ready.

"Per. I thank thee."