DIALOGUE ON THE HEADLAND

SHE: You'll not forget these rocks and what I told you?

HE: How could I? Never: whatever happens.

SHE: What do you think might happen?
     Might you fall out of love? -- did you mean that?

HE: Never, never! `Whatever' was a sop
    For jealous listeners in the shadows.

SHE: You haven't answered me. I asked:
     `What do you think might happen?'

HE: Whatever happens: though the skies should fall
    Raining their larks and vultures in our laps --

SHE: `Though the seas turn to slime' -- say that --
     `Though water-snakes be hatched with six heads.'

HE: Though the seas turn to slime, or tower
    In an arching wave above us, three miles high --

SHE: `Though she should break with you,' -- dare you say that --
     `Though she deny her words on oath.'

HE: I had that in my mind to say, or nearly;
    It hurt so much I choked it back.

SHE: How many other days can't you forget?
     How many other loves and landscapes?

HE: You are jealous?

SHE:        Damnably.

HE:		The past is past.

SHE: And this?

HE:	   Whatever happens, this goes on.

SHE: Without a future? Sweetheart, tell me now:
     What do you want of me? I must know that.

HE: Nothing that isn't freely mine already.

SHE: Say what is freely yours and you shall have it.

HE: Nothing that, loving you, I could dare take.

SHE: O for an answer with no `nothing' in it!

HE: Then give me everything that's left.

SHE: Left after what?

HE:		After whatever happens:
    Skies have already fallen, seas are slime,
    Watersnakes poke and peer six-headedly--

SHE: And I lie snugly in the Devil's arms.

HE: I said: `Whatever ahppens.' Are you crying?

SHE: You'll not forget me -- ever, ever, ever?


		Robert Graves