"Now
were I other than Fool, here should I judge was hope of winning thy love.
But being only Fool I, with aid of woe-begone lute, will sing thee merry
song to cheer thee of thy perilous fears--"
"Enough, ill Fool, I'll hear thee not!"
"So be it, dear lady! Then will we sit an list to the song of yon stream,
for streams and rivers, like the everlasting hills, are passing wise with
length of days--"
"And thou'rt a very Fool!" she cried angrily. "A fond Fool presumptuous in
thy folly!"
"As how presumptuous, proud lady?" he questioned humbly.
"In that thou dreamest I--stoop to fear thee!"
"Aye, verily!" sighed he. "Alas, thou poor, solitary, foolish, fearful
maid, thou art sick with fear of me! So take now my dagger! Thus Fool
offenceless shall lie defenceless at thy mercy and, so lying, sleep until
joyous day shall banish thy so virginal fears!" Which saying, he tossed off
belt and dagger and setting them beside her, rolled his weather-worn cloak
about him, stretched himself beneath the dim willows and straightway
fell a-snoring.
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