Page:Passions 2.pdf/315

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An apartment in the royal castle or chief residence of Ethwald. Dwina and several of the Ladies serving the Queen are discovered at work; some spinning, some winding coloured yarns for the loom, and some embroidering after a rude fashion.

''Dwi. (looking over the First Lady's work.)'' How speeds thy work? The queen is now impatient; Thou must be diligent.

First Lad. Nine weary months have I, thou knowest well, O'er this spread garment bent, and yet, thou seest, The half is scarcely done. I lack assistance.

Dwi. And so thou dost, but yet in the wide realm None can be found but such as lack the skill For such assistance. All those mingled colours, And mazy circles, and strange carved spots, Look, in good sooth, as tho' the stuff were strew'd With rich and curious things: tho' much I fear, To tell you what, no easy task would prove.

Sec. Lad. There lives a dame in Kent, I have been told Come from some foreign land, if that indeed