Since your grace bids me speak without stint or sparing
A thing little splendid I pray you to see: 
Early is the day yet, for we near the dawning
Drew on chains dear-bought, and gowns done with gold;
So may ye high ones hearken an hour
A tale that our hearts hold worthy and good,
Of Pharamond the Freed, who, a king feared and honoured,
Fled away to find love from his crown and his folk. 
E’en as I tell of it somewhat I tremble
Lest we, fearful of treason to the love that fulfils you,
Should seem to make little of the love that ye give us,
Of your lives full of glory, of the deeds that your lifetime
Shall gleam with for ever when we are forgotten. 
Forgive it for the greatness of that Love who compels us.—­
Hark! in the minster-tower minish the joy-bells,
And all men are hushed now these marvels to hear.

THE EMPEROR (to the MAYOR)

We thank your love, that sees our love indeed
Toward you, toward Love, toward life of toil and need: 
We shall not falter though your poet sings
Of all defeat, strewing the crowns of kings
About the thorny ways where Love doth wend,
Because we know us faithful to the end
Toward you, toward Love, toward life of war and deed,
And well we deem your tale shall help our need.

(To the EMPRESS)

So many hours to pass before the sun
Shall blush ere sleeping, and the day be done! 
How thinkest thou, my sweet, shall such a tale
For lengthening or for shortening them avail?

THE EMPRESS

Nay, dreamland has no clocks the wise ones say,
And while our hands move at the break of day
We dream of years:  and I am dreaming still
And need no change my cup of joy to fill: 
Let them say on, and I shall hear thy voice
Telling the tale, and in its love rejoice.

THE MUSIC

(As the singers enter and stand before the curtain, the player-king and player-maiden in the midst.)

LOVE IS ENOUGH:  have no thought for to-morrow
  If ye lie down this even in rest from your pain,
Ye who have paid for your bliss with great sorrow: 
  For as it was once so it shall be again. 
  Ye shall cry out for death as ye stretch forth in vain.

Feeble hands to the hands that would help but they may not,
  Cry out to deaf ears that would hear if they could;
Till again shall the change come, and words your lips say not
  Your hearts make all plain in the best wise they would
  And the world ye thought waning is glorious and good: 

And no morning now mocks you and no nightfall is weary,
  The plains are not empty of song and of deed: 
The sea strayeth not, nor the mountains are dreary;
  The wind is not helpless for any man’s need,
  Nor falleth the rain but for thistle and weed.