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 shielded from harm?

Guardian:

In my sheltering arm; Do their work and their play in a mannerly way And go holding their nose, and tipped on their toes, If they pass through a street, that they’ll not soil their feet.

2nd Dowager Messenger:  And next to good manners and next to good looks ...

Guardian:  I know what you’ll say ...she asks news of the cooks; I’m with her in putting them equal to books; There’s some rule by coaxing and some rule by beating, But my principle is, tempt them on with good eating.  When everything’s said, isn’t Sparta as dead As many a place never heard of black bread?  And as to a lad who a tartlet refuses,—­ If Cato stewed parsnips he hated the Muses!

1st Dowager Messenger:  And at meals are they taught to behave as they ought?

Guardian:  You’ll be well satisfied and the Queen will have pride, You will see every Prince use a fork with his mince, And eating his peas like Alcibiades, Who would sooner go mute than play on the flute Lest it made him grimace and contorted his face.

1st Dowager Messenger:  Oh, all that you say delights us to-day!

We’ll have good news to bring of these sons of a king.

Servant:  Here they are now coming.

(Wrenboys in Princes’ clothes come in awkwardly.)

Guardian: 
Now put out a chair. 
Where these ladies may hear. 
Come over, my boys ...(Now what is that noise?)
Come here, take your places, and show us your
faces,
And say out your task as these ladies will ask. 
I would wish them to know how you say Parlez-vous,
And I’d like you to speak in original Greek
And make numeration, and add up valuation;
But to lead you with ease and on by degrees
In case you are shy in the visitors’ eye
I will let you recite, as you easily might,
The kings of that Island that no longer are silent
But ask recognition and to take a position—­
(Though if stories are true they ran about blue,
While we in Hy-Brasil wore our silks to a frazzle—­)
So the rhymes you may say that I heard you to-day;
And the opening will fall on the youngest of all.

Servant: Let you stand up now and do as you are bid. (Touches 5th Wrenboy.)

Guardian: Go on, my child, say out your lesson.  William the First as the Conqueror known.... (Boy puts finger in mouth and hangs his head.) Ah, he is shy.  Don’t be affrighted, go on now; don’t you remember it?