Prologue 

FROM THIS MOMENT ON

The history book has done me wrong, Adam,
and I am here to tell a different tale….

Delia Fair! Delia Fair!
That most unusual person who just entered stage left
and caught your eye
before approaching face-to-face dead-center there:
Behold!

Because he’s so much younger you don’t recognize him yet,
but, Delia Fair, this is the one and only time you’ll ever get
to see him for the first time.

And from this moment on,
for all eternity beyond,
he shall illuminate the role—in forms too grand to dream of!—
of honest heroed lover Barefoot Prince.

The sun-bleached Golden Fleece that nearly gilds the lily
of his wild and woolly independent tender soft brown hair:
Behold, Delia Fair!
Behold the way he moves:
Those hands can part the waters;
those feet can walk the seas.
Diamonds from the blackest mines
are what he’s got to give you,
silver from the stars,
gold from alcazars,
and amber from the ancientest of trees.

But he shall bide his time till next you meet again tomorrow,
when your now-considered vow of celibacy?—
well, tomorrow you can kiss the consummation
of that almost-vow good-bye!

Before an audience unknowing tomorrow,
behold his mirthful daring bold
when with one word, omniscient eyes,
preemptive mark of stark surprise—

Beware his perfect aim, Delia Fair.
Beware his masculinity.
This man’s been sent to take you home.
He’ll take your trust
then take your dust
and make an honest woman out of you.
Here comes the price you’ve got to pay
to play yourself, Delia Urchin Fair!