WHILE THE ROSE BLOOMED, ACT FOUR

WHILE THE ROSE BLOOMED, ACT FOUR

ELLEN HOPKINS

I did see a lad

about that age pass this way last winter.

He was dressed in traveling clothes...

Well, yes, he was quite a strapping

young man. He wore a cap, but

what peeked out at the nape 

of his neck was that very shade.

The story was that a princess who lived

in a castle nearby happened to be a girl

who loved books and the knowledge 

they allowed. She yearned for a companion

who was articulate and well-read, and

so the news circulated that the prince

must be this type of gentleman. Many

tried, for she was lovely and a princess

of some means. But when they arrived

at the palace, even the best-spoken

fell mute. Only one was able to pass

her test.

The princess and her prince

are in the library, taking tea.

The library was immense, and books

spilled from floor-to-ceiling shelves.

The door to the veranda was open

and a lovely cool breeze blew in

from the sea. The princess and her

young man sat close to the open 

air, with their backs to the hallway

door.

[···] the princess, too, 

was crying, and even the prince (for,

indeed, they had married) had a shine

in their eyes. "How can we help you?

Will you dine with us and stay the night?"

[···] the royal couple lounged

late in bed that morning [···]

they were unaware of the generous gift.