|
SHE: You'll not forget these rocks and what I told you?
HE: E How could I? Never: whatever happens. SHE: What do you think might happen? Might you fall out of love? - did you mean that? HE:E Never, never! 'Whatever' was a sop For jealous listeners in the shadows. SHE: You haven't answered me. I asked: 'What do you think might happen?' HE:E Whatever happens: though the skies should fall Raining their larks and vultures in our laps - SHE: 'Though the sea turn to slime' -say that - 'Though water-snakes be hatched with six heads.' HE:E Though the seas turn to slime, or tower In an arching wave above us, three miles high - SHE: 'Though she should break with you' - dare you say that? - 'Though she deny her words on oath.' HE:E I had that in my mind to say, or nearly; It hurt so much I choked it back. SHE: How many other days can't you forget? How many other loves and landscapes? HE:E You are jealous? SHE: Damnably. HE:E The past is past. SHE: And this? HE:E Whatever happens, this goes on. SHE: Without a future? Sweetheart, tell me now: What do you want of me? I must know that. HE:E Nothing that isn't freely mine already. SHE: Say what is freely yours and you shall have it. HE:E Nothing that, loving you, I should dare take. SHE: O, for an answer with no 'nothing' in it! HE:E Then give me everything that's left. SHE: Left after what? HE:E After whatever happens: Skies have already fallen, seas are slime, Watersnakes poke and peer six-headedly - SHE: And I lie snugly in the Devil's arms. HE:E I said: 'Whatever happens.' Are you crying? SHE: You'll not forget me - ever, ever, ever? |