Arga. Yet I may find a time—­ [Going.

Leon. What’s that you mutter, [Going after him. To find a time?—­

Arga. To wait on you again—­ In the mean while I’ll watch you. [Softly.
                                [Exit, and watches during the scene.

Leon. How precious are the hours of love in courts! 
In cottages, where love has all the day,
Full, and at ease, he throws it half away. 
Time gives himself, and is not valued, there;
But sells at mighty rates, each minute, here: 
There, he is lazy, unemployed, and slow;
Here, he’s more swift; and yet has more to do. 
So many of his hours in public move,
That few are left for privacy and love.

Palm. The sun, methinks, shines faint and dimly, here;
Light is not half so long, nor half so clear: 
But, oh! when every day was yours and mine,
How early up! what haste he made to shine!

Leon. Such golden days no prince must hope to see, Whose every subject is more blessed than he.

Palm. Do you remember, when their tasks were done,
How all the youth did to our cottage run? 
While winter-winds were whistling loud without,
Our cheerful hearth was circled round about: 
With strokes in ashes, maids their lovers drew;
And still you fell to me, and I to you.

Leon. When love did of my heart possession take,
I was so young, my soul was scarce awake: 
I cannot tell when first I thought you fair;
But sucked in love, insensibly as air.

Palm. I know too well when, first my love began,
When at our wake you for the chaplet ran: 
Then I was made the lady of the May,
And, with the garland, at the goal did stay: 
Still, as you ran, I kept you full in view;
I hoped, and wished, and ran, methought, for you. 
As you came near, I hastily did rise,
And stretched my arm outright, that held the prize. 
The custom was to kiss whom I should crown;
You kneeled, and in my lap your head laid down: 
I blushed, and blushed, and did the kiss delay;
At last my subjects forced me to obey: 
But, when I gave the crown, and then the kiss,
I scarce had breath to say, Take that,—­and this.

Leon. I felt, the while, a pleasing kind of smart;
That kiss went, tingling, to my very heart. 
When it was gone, the sense of it did stay;
The sweetness clinged upon my lips all day,
Like drops of honey, loth to fall away.

Palm. Life, like a prodigal, gave all his store
To my first youth, and now can give no more. 
You are a prince; and, in that high degree,
No longer must converse with humble me.

Leon. ’Twas to my loss the gods that title gave;
A tyrant’s son is doubly born a slave: 
He gives a crown; but, to prevent my life
From being happy, loads it with a wife.