King:  Don’t be talking of roasted meat!  I think I can eat no more for a twelvemonth!

Dall Glic:  There will be nothing roasted that any person will have occasion to eat.  When the oven door will be open, give orders to your bullies and your foot-soldiers to give a tip to him that will push him in.  When evening comes, news will go out that he left the meat to burn and made off on his rambles, and no more about him.

King:  What way can I send orders when I’m near crazed in my wits with the want of rest.  A little minute of sleep might soothe and settle my brain.

(Lies down.)

Dall Glic:  The least little word to give leave ...or a sign ...such as to nod the head.

King:  I give you my word, my head is tired nodding!  Be off now and close the door after you and give out that anyone that comes to this side of the house at all in the next half-hour, his neck will be on the block before morning!

Dall Glic:  (Hurriedly.) I’m going!  I’m going.

(Goes.)

King:  (Locking door and drawing window curtains.) That you may never come back till I ask you! (Lies down and settles himself on pillows.) I’ll be lying here in my lone listening to the pigeons seeking their meal.  “Coo-coo,” they’re saying, “Coo-coo.”

(Closes eyes.)

Nurse:  (At door.) Who is it locked the door? (Shakes it.) Who is it is in it?  What is going on within?  Is it that some bad work is after being done in this place?  Hi!  Hi!  Hi!

King:  (Sitting up.) Get away out of that, you torment of a nurse!  Be off before I’ll have the life of you!

Nurse:  The Lord be praised, it is the King’s own voice!  There’s time yet!

King:  There’s time, is there?  There’s time for everyone to give out their chat and their gab, and to do their business and take their ease and have a comfortable life, only the King!  The beasts of the field have leave to lay themselves down in the meadow and to stretch their limbs on the green grass in the heat of the day, without being pestered and plagued and tormented and called to and wakened and worried, till a man is no less than wore out!

Nurse:  Up or down, I’ll say what I have to say, if it cost me my life.  It is that I have to tell you of a plot that is made and a plan!

King:  I won’t listen!  I heard enough of plots and plans within the last three minutes!

Nurse:  You didn’t hear this one.  No one knows of it only myself.

King:  I was told it by the Dall Glic.

Nurse:  You were not!  I am only after making it out on the moment!

King:  A plot against the lad of the saucepans?

Nurse:  That’s it!  That’s it!  Open now the door!

King:  (Putting a cushion over each ear and settling himself to sleep.) Tell away and welcome!