Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/703

 INCLUSIVE EDITION, 1885-1918 685

THE KING. Little enough. God knows! But afterwards.

after Then comes the reckoning. I would save him that.

FERDINAND. Save him dry scars that ache of winter- nights,

Worn out self-pity and as much of knowledge

As makes old men fear judgment? Then loose him loose him

A' God's name loose him to adventure early!

And trust some random pike, or half-backed horse,

Besides what's caught in Italy, to save him.

THE KING. I know. I know. And yet. . . . What stirs in the garden?

Enter Gow and a GARDENER bearing the Prince's body

FERDINAND. (Gods give me patience!) Gow and a gar- dener

Bearing some load along in the dusk to the dunghill. Nay a dead branch But as I said, the Prince

THE KING. They've laid it down. Strange they should work so late.

Gow (setting down the body}. Heark, you unsanctified fool while I set out our story. W 7 e found it, this side the North Park wall which it had climbed to pluck nectarines from the alley. Heark again ! There was a nectarine in its hand when we found it, and the naughty brick that slipped from the cop- ing beneath its foot and so caused its death, lies now under the wall for the King to see.

THE KING (above'). The King to see! Why should he? Who's the man?