Three Wonder Plays Part 43

_Ogre_: The law! That is the Judge's trade.

Breaking it is mine.

_5th Prince_: Ask him for it and maybe he will give it to you, he is so kind.

_Ogre_: I'll take no charity! What I get I'll earn by taking it. I would feel no pleasure it being given to me, any more than a huntsman would take pleasure being made a present of a dead fox, in place of getting a run across country after it.

Come on now! We'll have the moon wasted.

We'll hardly get there before the dawn of day.

_1st Prince_: Whatever time you get there the Guardian will be awake. There is a c.o.c.k of Denmark perched on the curtain rod of his bed, specially to waken him if there is any stir.

_Ogre_: There is, is there? What a fool you think me to be. Do you see that pot?

_2nd Prince_: We do see it.

_Ogre_: Look what there is in it.

_3rd Prince_: Nothing but a few bare bones.

_Ogre_: Well, that is all that is left of the Judge's c.o.c.k of Denmark, that was brought to me awhile ago by a fox that is my messenger, and that I have boiled and ate and devoured.

_All the Princes_: O! O! O!

_Ogre_: (_Cracking his whip_.) He was boiled in the little pot. Come on now and lead the way, or I give you my word it is in the big pot your own bones will be making broth for my breakfast in the morning! (_Cracks whip_.) Now, right about face!

Quick march!

CURTAIN

SCENE II

_(The Winter Garden, evening. The Servant settling benches and a table.)_

_Guardian: (Coming in.)_ Are the Dowager Messengers come? They are late.

_Servant:_ They are come. They are at the looking-gla.s.ses settling themselves.

_Guardian:_ As soon as they are ready you will call in the Princes for their examination before them, and their tasks.

_Servant:_ I will.

_Guardian:_ The Messengers will have a good report to bring back of them. They have come to be good scholars, in poetry, in music, in languages, in history, in numbers and all sorts. The old Queen-G.o.dmother will be well satisfied with their report.

_Servant:_ She might and she might not.

_Guardian:_ They would be hard to please if they are not well pleased with the lads, as to learning and as to manners and behaviour.

_Servant:_ Maybe so. Maybe so. There are strange things in the world.

_Guardian:_ You're in bad humour, my poor Gillie. Have you been quarrelling with the cook, or did you get up on the wrong side of your bed?

_Servant:_ There is times when it is hard not to be in a bad humour.

_Guardian:_ What are you grumbling and hinting at?

_Servant:_ There's times when it's hard to believe that witchcraft is gone out of the world.

_Guardian:_ That is a thing that has been done away with in this Island through my government, and through enlightenment and through learning.

_Servant:_ Maybe so. Maybe so.

_Guardian:_ I suppose a three-legged chicken has come out of the sh.e.l.l, or a magpie has come before you in your path? Or maybe some token in the stars?

_Servant:_ It would take more than that to put me astray.

_Guardian:_ Whatever it is you had best tell it out.

_Servant:_ To see lads of princes, sons of kings, and the makings of kings, that were mannerly and well behaved and as civil as a child a few hours ago, to be sitting in a corner at one time as if in dread of the light, and tricking and fooling and grabbing at other times.

_Guardian:_ Oh, is that all! The poor lads.

They're out of their habits because of their G.o.dmother's Messengers coming. They are making merry and funning, thinking there might be messages for them or presents.

_Servant:_ Funning is natural. But blowing their nose with their fingers is not natural.

_Guardian:_ High spirits. Just to torment you in their joy.

_Servant:_ To get a bit of chalk, and to make marks in the Hall of dancing, and to go playing hop-scotch.

_Guardian:_ High spirits, high spirits! I never saw boys better behaved or more gentle or with more sweetness of speech. I am thinking there is not one among them but will earn the name of Honey-mouth.

_Servant:_ Have it your own way. But is it a natural thing, I am asking, for the finger nails to make great growth in one day?

_Guardian:_ Stop, stop, be quiet. Here now are the Dowager Messengers. _(Two old ladies in travelling costume appear; bowing low to them.)_ You are welcome for the sake of her that sent you, and for your own sakes.

_1st Dowager Messenger:_ We are come from the Court of the G.o.dmother Queen, for news of the Princes now in your charge;

She hopes they have manners, are minded well, and never let run at large;

For she never has yet got over the fret, of their five little cousins were swept away.

_Guardian:_ Let your mind be at ease, for you'll be well pleased with the youngsters you're going to see to-day.

They're learning the laws to speak and to pause--may be orators then, or Parliament men.

_2nd Dowager Messenger:_ Are they s.h.i.+elded from harm?

_Guardian:_