Gardening ... Rosy Bower ... The Camomile Lawn ... The Herb Garden
Gardening
In each morning twilight
Before the blush of daylight
Gardeners assemble
At the Iron Gate
The Boy stood in their company
And slipped within silently
When one of their number
Was shamefully late
The Boy slipped in among their throng
Learned their trade and e'er long
Was counted member of the Staff
That daily walked the Garden Path
Quickly pass the days and weeks
The Boy resourceful as he seeks
Among the flowers and the trees
Encounters with Fair Eloise
In the Rosy Bower
A bright and happy hour
On the Lawn of Camomile
Oh to see her hidden smile
Then amid the Herbs
Conversation that disturbs
Finally today
A declaration to dismay
She kissed the Boy and cried
She wrung her hands and sighed
She clasped her hands as if to pray
Then sobbed and turned away
'Though you call me beautiful
Yet I must be dutiful
Though I love you come what may
Yet I must be Queen someday'
The Boy lay on his humble bed
Recalling misery and joy
What brave dreams had filled the head
Of our lowly foundling Boy
Rosy Bower
The Boy was drawn to the Iron Bower
In summer thereupon a shower
Of roses blooming soft and sweet
Within whom should he chance to meet
But Eloise pausing there
Evening sunlight in her hair
She did not notice him until
He summoned up nerve and will
And greeted her - 'Your Royal Grace'
And there at once across her face
Recollection of a kindness
Rendered in the Wilderness
Her cheek was washed by a pastel blush
There within the evening hush
What began in the Forest Grim
Continued between Her and Him
They lingered for a precious hour
Within the scented Rosy Bower
When Eloise recalled this meeting
And remembered her heart beating
She realised - in the Bower
In that golden sunlit hour
Was when the light of love first dawned
Within her heart and it was warmed
As the light was growing dim
Eloise was summoned in
The Boy sat for an hour more
Adding to his cherished store
Tender tinted memories
Of his beloved Eloise
The Camomile Lawn
Eloise walked barefoot
Toes among the Camomile
A cotton-clouded blue sky shone
On her lips a secret smile
Remembering the roses
Remembering the Boy
A newfound lightness of the heart
She supposed it must be joy
And now to make the day complete
Away there by the edge
The Boy with shears in his hand
Clipping at the hedge
Eloise seats herself
On the bench of stone
The Boy works ever closer
'Till she is not alone
'I love you Eloise' said he
In between the clips
'I love you too' she whispered
Through barely opened lips
'Would that we could climb the walls
Would that we could run away'
She whispered to the air and trees
'Oh for such a day'
But now the Prince - her brother
Takes note of the pair
'Away you stinking peasant
What do you do there'
The Boy bows low and takes his leave
Her words are ringing in his ears
And for the first time in his life
His hopes outweigh his fears
The Herb Garden
The Boy was tired - homeward bound
Ruffled by the evening breeze
The gloom of twilight stifled sound
His feet were dragging in the leaves
Oblivious to all around
A figure moved among the trees
On a shadowed quest profound
Secretive - Eloise
He found her in the old Herb Garden
Paused a moment to be certain
That no other was inside
Then slipped within and stood beside
'My love what are you doing here'
Eloise concealed a tear
Then in shaking whispered words
Shared her knowledge of the Herbs
'Flowers are such pretty things
Yet with petals oft' come stings
And prettiness may often hide
That which helps to kill or die
Lycotonum Oleander
Adonis and Belladonna
All within my garden grow
And all their morbid use I know
When one the other amplifies
The unfortunate quickly dies
When one the other mitigates
Against the odds we cheat the fates
Don't lose sleep over me
My precious Boy - can't you see
Whatever the extremity
The Garden holds the remedy'
Silence falls and soft he feels
Her lips on his in tender kiss
Upon his cheek a tingling
Left by gentle finger tips
Then an emptiness for she
Has fled with silent tread
And a weight lays on his heart
Rememb'ring what was said
end of act 2 ...