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For Love of the King (Act 3 Scene 3) Lyrics by Oscar Wilde

For Love of the King

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The Gardens of the Palace of the King.
Time: late afternoon.
Colonnades of roses stretch away on every side. Fountains play, throwing a shower on water-lilies of monstrous size. Peacocks walk with stately tread across the green turf. Only one, larger and more beautiful than the rest, is perched alone, with drooping head and folded tail, on the broad-pillared terrace that overhangs the sea. The scene is aglow with light and colour, yet holds a shadowed silence.
Enter some courtiers, who converse in perturbed fashion as they go towards the Palace.
Enter MOUNG PHO MHIN and u. RAI RYAN THOO, accompanied by the Court Physicians and Astrologers.
“The King cannot live beyond the night,” the Physicians say. The sudden, mysterious illness that has attacked him defies their skill.
The Astrologers declare that the stars in their courses fight against his recovery; unless a miracle should happen, the new day will see him dead.
The Ministers regard each other in consternation; then walk the terrace with bent heads.
The peacock on the wall spreads its tail and utters a melancholy cry of poignant pain.
The listeners start in superstitious horror.
The peacock folds its tail and resumes its meditations.
“That bird is not as other birds,” one astrologer declares. “I have watched it for years past—it is ever alone—the others all avoid it. I think it has a soul.”
“You mistake,” replies his colleague; “it is but an evil Nat. [32] Observe its eyes: they are not those of a bird; they are those of a spirit in prison.”
They pass on in the wake of the ministers.
The peacock closes its eyes.
Enter the two young PRINCES, accompanied by two great Pegu hounds. They converse in subdued tones, strolling slowly. They are followed by pages of honour, carrying grain, which the young men proceed to distribute amongst the birds as they rapidly approach them. The peacock on the wall never stirs; she watches the young men always. Then the elder one comes with a handful of food and proffers it, but the peacock does not eat.
“I shall never understand you, Queen of the Kingdom of Birds,” he says, and strokes her feathers. At his touch the plumage scintillates with a brighter, a more exquisite sheen.
He murmurs to the bird in soft tones and mythical words. He tells it that the fear of everyone is that the King is mortally stricken, for he lies yonder in most strange and evil agony; that the hearts of himself and his brother are numb with the sorrow that knows no language. The bird listens eagerly. And if the King should go, he, the speaker, will reign in his stead. The prospect fills him with fear. He desires, as also his brother, if the King must die, to return to dwell in the forest with the mother who he knows awaits them there.
The peacock spreads its wings as if for flight, then crouches down once more, and over it watches the young prince.
The sun envelops them both in a sudden shaft of rose and purple and gold. A servant descends and comes across the grass. He shikoes profoundly to the two young men, lifting up his hands in the deepest reverence of Burmah.
“The Lord of the Earth and the Sky desires his sons; he nears the Great Unknown.”
Credits
Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde

About “For Love of the King (Act 3 Scene 3)” by Oscar Wilde

Read the complete lyrics to "For Love of the King (Act 3 Scene 3)" by Oscar Wilde from the album "For Love of the King". On Lyrks you can follow along with the full text, explore the artist's discography, and discover related songs. The track is often categorized under Non-Music, Literature.

"For Love of the King (Act 3 Scene 3)" is performed by Oscar Wilde. from the album "For Love of the King" This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "For Love of the King (Act 3 Scene 3)", explore more songs by Oscar Wilde using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

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Frequently asked questions

"For Love of the King (Act 3 Scene 3)" is credited to Oscar Wilde. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.

"For Love of the King (Act 3 Scene 3)" appears on "For Love of the King".

Visit the Oscar Wilde artist page at /artist/oscar-wilde for biography, popular tracks, and links to more lyric pages.