LEOFRIC AND GODIVA. GODIVA. THERE is a dearth in the land, my sweet Leofric! Remember how many weeks of drought we have had, even in the deep pastures of Leicester, and how many sundays we have heard the same prayers for rain, and supplications that it would please the Lord in his mercy to anger from the poor pining cattle. turn aside his You, my lord and protector, have imprisoned more than one malefactor, for leaving his dead ox in the public way; and other hinds have fled before you out of the traces, in which they and their sons and their daughters, and haply their old fathers and mothers, were dragging the abandoned wain homeward. Altho we were accompanied by many brave spearmen and skilful archers, it was perilous to pass the creatures whose remnants the farmyard dogs, driven from the hearth by the poverty of their masters, were tearing and devouring; while others, bitten and lamed, filled the air with howls or sharp quick barkings, struggling with hunger and feebleness, exasperated by heat and pain. Nor could the tyme from the heath, nor the bruized branches of the fir-tree, extinguish or abate the foul odour. LEOFRIC. And now, Godiva my darling, thou art afraid we should be eaten up before we enter the gates of Coventry; or perchance that in the hedges of the gardens there are no roses to greet thee, no sweet herbs for thy mat and pillow. GODIVA. Dearest Leofric, I have no such fears. This is the month of roses: I find them everywhere since my blessed marriage: they and all other sweet herbs, I know not why, seem to greet me wherever I look at them, as tho they knew and expected me. Surely they cannot feel that I am fond of them. LEOFRIC. O light laughing simpleton! But what wouldst thou? I came not hither to pray; and yet if praying would satisfy thee, or remove the drought, I would ride up straitway to Saint Michael's and pray until the morning. GODIVA. I would do the same, O Leofric! but God hath turned away his ear from holier lips than mine. Would my own dear husband hear me, if I implored him for what is easier to accomplish? what he can do like God? How! what is it? LEOFRIC. GODIVA. I would not, in the first hurry of your wrath, appeal to you, my loving lord, in favour of these unhappy men who have offended you. LEOFRIC. Unhappy! is that all? GODIVA. Unhappy they must surely be, to have offended you so grievously. What a soft air breathes over us! how quiet and serene and still an evening! how calm are the heavens and the earth! shall none enjoy them! not even we, my Leofric! The sun is ready to sett: let it never sett, O Leofric, on your anger. These are not my words; they are better than mine; should they lose their virtue from my unworthiness in uttering them! LEOFRIC. Godiva, wouldst thou plead to me for rebels? GODIVA. They have then drawn the sword against you! Indeed I knew it not. LEOFRIC. They have omitted to send me my dues, VOL. II. L L |