The Vigil of Venus and Other Poems by "Q" by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
page 17 of 90 (18%)
page 17 of 90 (18%)
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To lift and breast and dance upon the breeze.
Draws home her lord the Duke? _Crowd._ Long live the Duke! _Cesario._ The devil, then! Why darken his approach? _Gamba (from the bench where he has been mending his viol)._ Because, Captain, 'tis a property knaves and fools have in common--to stand in their own light, as 'tis of soldiers to talk bad logic. That knave, now--he with the red nose and the black eye--the Duke's colours, loyal man!--you clap an iron on his leg, and ask him why he is not down in the city, hanging them out of window! Go to: you are a soldier! _Cesario._ And you a Fool, and on your own showing stand in your own light. _Gamba._ Nay, neither in my own light, nor as a Fool. So should myself stand between the sun and my shadow; whereas I am not myself--these seven years have I been but the shadow of a Fool. Yet one must tune up for the Duke. _(Strikes his viol and sings.)_ "Bird of the South, my Rondinello----" |
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