I'll not have you different
from other folk.
HANGING-LIP. _We_ were never seen gazing upon trees!
BROAD-THUMB (_nodding_). Aye! _We_ never heard songs within _us_!
FLAT-FOOT (_nodding_). Aye! _We_ think only of our work!
ISABEL. What's your work may not be mine!
DAME (_decidedly_). There's no other work for a maid than spinning.
ISABEL (_sighing_). I like it not! Though every other maid in all the world
did love to spin, I'd say the same--I like it not!
DAME (_to Flat-foot; showing alarm_). Sister, close the door, that none
without may hear such words.
[_Flat-foot rises, but is too late. The_ QUEEN _enters from the street._]
QUEEN (_showing displeasure_). How now! What's all this noise? I heard it
from the street!
[_All are frightened; Isabel weeps._]
DAME (_bowing_). 'T will not happen again, your Majesty.
QUEEN (_looking at Isabel_). Have they beaten you, my child?
ISABEL (_still sobbing_). N--o--, your Majesty.
QUEEN (_to the Dame_). Tell me why your daughter weeps.
DAME (_more frightened_). She weeps because--because--
[_She stops in confusion._]
QUEEN. Well--well?
DAME. Because--because--I will not let her spin.
QUEEN (_showing surprise_).
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