PIERROT
Me, even me, she hath led into this grove.
THE LADY
Yea, thou art one of hers! But, ere this night,
Often I watched my sisters take their flight
Down heaven's stairway of the clustered stars
To gaze on mortals through their lattice bars;
And some in sleep they woo with dreams of bliss
Too shadowy to tell, and some they kiss.
But all to whom they come, my sisters say,
Forthwith forget all joyance of the day,
Forget their laughter and forget their tears,
And dream away with singing all their years--
Moon-lovers always!
[_She sighs._]
PIERROT
Why art sad, sweet Moon?
[_Laughing._]
THE LADY
For this, my story, grant me now a boon.
PIERROT
I am thy servitor.
THE LADY
Would, then, I knew
More of the earth, what men and women do.
PIERROT
I will explain.
THE LADY
Let brevity attend
Thy wit, for night approaches to its end.
PIERROT
Once was I a page at Court, so trust in me:
That's the first lesson of society.
THE LADY
Society?
PIERROT
I mean the very best
Pardy! thou wouldst not hear about the rest.
I know it not, but am a _petit maitre_
At rout and festival and _bal champetre_
But since example be instruction's ease,
Let's play the thing.
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