"
The song of birds was all around them, and the scent of many
blossoms went past on the wings of the west wind, and Ralph was
silent a little as he looked at the loveliness of his friend;
then he said: "This is the question; of what kind are thy kisses
this morning, are they the kisses of a friend or a lover?
Wilt thou not called me beloved and not friend? Shall not we
two lie on the bridal bed this same night?"
She looked on him steadily, smiling, but for love and sweetness,
not for shame and folly; then she said: "O, dear friend
and dearest lover, three questions are these and not one;
but I will answer all three as my heart biddeth me.
And first, I will tell thee that my kisses are as thine;
and if thine are aught but the kisses of love, then am I befooled.
And next, I say that if thou wilt be my friend indeed,
I will not spare to call thee beloved, or to be all thy friend.
But as to thy third question; tell me, is there not time
enough for that?"
She faltered as she spake, but he said: "Look, beloved, and see how fair
the earth is to-day! What place and what season can be goodlier than this?
And were it not well that we who love each other should have our full joy
out of this sweet season, which as now is somewhat marred by our desire?"
"Ah, beloved!" she said, looking shyly at him, "is it so marred
by that which marreth not us?"
"Hearken!" he said; "how much longer shall this fairness and peace,
and our leisure and safety endure? Here and now the earth rejoiceth about us,
and there is none to say us nay; but to-morrow it may all be otherwise.
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