own a quotation from something you had read.

JOSEPHINE

[_Who has been edging nearer the cart and looking with curiosity
about her._]

Idle people are moody, your Majesty, but if ...

QUEEN [_sharply_]

It is my pleasure that you should await me in the ballroom.

JOSEPHINE

Your Majesty....

[_Bowing low and taking the arm of the PRINCE, looks up archly
into his eyes._]

We will ask the musicians to play one of those new waltzes, that make
me close my eyes quite up with delight.

[_PRINCE gazing enraptured, leads her out._]

QUEEN

[_Furiously, turning to PHEDRO who has flitted in and out since
the cessation of the performance, in a low voice._]

I would speak to you. [_to courtiers_] You are at liberty to precede
me to the ballroom.

[_Courtiers go out._]

QUEEN [_leaning against a balcony_]

Ah, Phedro!

PHEDRO [_answering her tone_]

My Majesty, my sovereign star.

QUEEN

It is growing late and still nothing has been done. I cannot see that
there is anything to do. Oh what discomfort!

PHEDRO

Your Majesty's eyes are too full of pain to see clearly perhaps.

QUEEN

I am obsessed by a dream, and in this dream my whole life lies snared
and gasping.

[_DEA appears in the background of the cart, arranging things for
the night. PHEDRO glances at her quickly and then back at the
QUEEN._]

PHEDRO

There is a loose stone in every wall if one scratches long enough, yet
in taking one's desire there may be surprises, unpleasant surprises.

QUEEN

But if ever one clutches the echo of one's own heart, what difference
if a pox of madness seize the whole world?

PHEDRO

If you are willing to mean always what you feel now, your Majesty.

QUEEN

Don't talk absurdly, Phedro. Always is never more than now. And now is
ever a part of eternity. Ah, I will make you more than you would dare
ask if there is something to be done and you do it. Only I would
rather not know the means. I would rather not be mixed up in the brew
or it might sicken me afterwards to drink--of the Spring of Life.

PHEDRO

May I beg for the reason of my scheme to be left by your Majesty for a
little?

QUEEN

Yes, yes, I go, Phedro. Oh, I would not have this if I thought it
would deprive him of anything he really wanted, but he is ephemeral,
aesthetic--in fact, he is a poet and doesn't really care for people.
It is only for what they can make him feel that h