KING.  Answer them, or go to prison.

ABBOT.  I pray you for some time to think!

KING.  I will give you just two weeks.  If you cannot answer then, I’ll have your head cut off.  And then I’ll take your lands and palaces.

JESTER.  And your knights and golden plates!

ABBOT (in a trembling voice).  In two weeks I will return, Sire.

KING.  Two weeks and not a day longer!  Go!

SCENE II

TIME:  two weeks later; morning.
PLACE:  the Abbot’s palace.

* * * * *

ABBOT. 
FIRST PROFESSOR. 
SECOND PROFESSOR. 
SHEPHERD.

* * * * *

[The PROFESSORS look through very large books.]

ABBOT.  Look well for the answers, friends.  Look long, look deep, look well.

[Illustration]

FIRST PROFESSOR (closing book).  I cannot find the answers here.

SECOND PROFESSOR (closing book).  I cannot find them in my book.

ABBOT.  Have you looked in other books?

FIRST PROFESSOR.  We have looked in every book.

SECOND PROFESSOR.  In every book, in every house, in every town.

ABBOT.  Alas!  Alas!  What shall I do?  What shall I do?

FIRST PROFESSOR.  Go to the king and tell him all.

ABBOT.  And then I’ll lose my head!

SECOND PROFESSOR.  Yes, I fear you’ll lose your head.

FIRST PROFESSOR.  I am sorry, Abbot, I wish that I might help you.

SECOND PROFESSOR.  I am sorry too, friend Abbot.  And I do wish the same.

ABBOT.  You both have tried your best.  Farewell.

(The Professors bow and go.)

Alas!  Alas!  Alas!  Alas!

[Enter the SHEPHERD.]

SHEPHERD.  Good-day to you, good Abbot!

ABBOT.  Ah, Shepherd, I am glad to see you.  How goes it in your village?

SHEPHERD.  We do nothing there but laugh since your visit to us, sir.  We laugh all day and half the night.

ABBOT.  Now why do you do that?

SHEPHERD.  Because, sir, I look so much like you.  At least, they think so in our village.

ABBOT.  Why, that is true, you do.  Well, what can I do for you?

SHEPHERD.  I have heard about the two questions, sir.  I have come to help you.

ABBOT.  How can you help me?  Speak!

SHEPHERD.  I will go to the king in your place.  He will think that I am you.

ABBOT.  Can you answer the two questions?

SHEPHERD.  Only the king himself can say.  Now give me your gown and cap and golden staff, dear Abbot.

ABBOT.  Well, I will let you try.

(Gives his gown and cap to the Shepherd, who puts them on and then takes the staff.)

You truly seem to be myself, good Shepherd!