Act 5
Scene 1
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			(Enter Lilia, Armus, Queen Alexia)

Queen Alexia	Then have you stirred your mind to the affair?

Lilia		I've found a few attends I might prefer,
		An if they be not less preferable
		To those approved by others...

Queen Alexia					Nothing but,		5
		You silly goose.  I gave you my permiss
		To work your will upon the day's proceeds.
		Do tell us what you want, and if it be
		Within the realm of reason, I'll allow.

Lilia		Poor Armus have no say in the affair!			10
		--How still his mien, his fac'ties not engaged!

Armus		In such affairs as these, it be the role
		Of she subservient to 'xert her will,
		Once more, if not again.  It is your right.

Lilia		My rights protected such, it makes me glad.		15

Queen Alexia	Your tongue.

Lilia				It holds its own, and begs amend.

Queen Alexia	Then speak, and 'close to us what you desire
		In execution of the near concern,
		An it be on the form of look or 'ttend,			20
		Or what, mine ears are ready then to hear.
		For I have tired of position
		Not mine, and never meant to be. The truth
		Of rule belongs to Armus, as the man
		Who's closest to the her'tance of the throne.		25
		With this then done, I may resume my place
		As lady of the court, and loose myself
		From such concerns I should not take to mind.
		There's lesson to be learned in this, my dear.

Lilia		Aye, well, it thus be heard to cease me on		30
		The ways I once did have.  I have assured
		My proper place as one subservient,
		But in that place I still confuse this thought.

Armus		As what your fancy craves, shall I accept.

Queen Alexia	Want you a stunning 'bration, I suppose,		35
		With maids of bride and high attendants hence,
		And every royal circumstance arranged?

Lilia		Nay, no, I seek naught marvellous as that,
		But yet a simple gathering, of friends
		And comrades. And, though pagan seem it thus,		40
		I ask the chalice of the 'plauds of Vike,
		That, once drunk, carried luck throughout, and which
		Did seal the greatest joins of olden past.

Queen Alexia	It is a far request, and out of joint
		With normal workings.  But if Armus's soul		45
		Rest easy with it, then my blessing be
		Upon't.

Armus			I think, though knowing nothing of
		The ways traditionéd and sanctioned by
		Those rules of fairer sex, that Lilia,
		By nature being closest to the base			50
		Of wom'nly fancies such as this, may seek
		To rule her sphere in any way she please.

Lilia		My lord, you're righteous kind.

Queen Alexia					Then be it so;
		And of some other function of the day,			55
		Have you some thought?

Lilia				Beyond I've no reflect,
		But what I've yet asked of th' near proceeds.

Queen Alexia	Then you shall have.

				(exits)

Armus					Your weak and female mind	60
		Yet seems an asset to this cast of things.
		I do believe your woef'lly lacking powers
		May still avoid a sore calamity
		Of seem, and bring some talent to the thing.
		Were you not woman, I might call you wise.		65

Lilia		I am what am, what's given me by birth.

Armus		Nay, it be more than that; for, as I think
		Of it, my mind do sometimes play a fool
		Of he himself.  Idle imaginings
		I have, and think betimes your mind and mien		70
		Do equal that of mine.  Impossible
		Of course, for nature brings the card'nal rule
		Of the dominion of sex; and so
		By sense's law, your sphere be under mine.
		But there you stand, and in you fair apparent,		75
		And, less assured, but there, is something more;
		An air of calculating thought, as if
		You knew your near surround, did apprehend
		What do occur, and store it all away
		Inside a mind that never cease to scheme.		80
		Have you unnat'ral ken to match your seem?

Lilia		My lord, why do you so?  It fears me some
		To feel your wrath on me.  I've nothing done
		I might deserve this now; for sins I've cast
		Behind me, but repent I have.  I ask,			85
		If crime 'gainst you I have again commited,
		I then should be made 'ware?

Armus						'Twas my mistake,
		And I am truly sorry.  Merely be
		It that, at times, you wonder me with your		90
		Strange ways; which must be work of fancy only.

Lilia		They're nothing but.

Armus					Come then, shall we two go?

				(They exit)