THE JESTER AND
THE KING
SCENE ONE
QUICKFELLOW'S
BEDROOM
Note- King’s
throne and Jester’s bedroom can be on one stage. Throne back stage
left, bedroom forward stage right with appropriate changes of
lighting.
AS LIGHT FOCUS ONE
COMES UP WE FIND QUICKFELLOW ASLEEP ON HIS BED, SNORING. GRETA ENTERS
FROM ENTRANCE ONE, SINGING WITH A BROOM IN HER HAND.
GRETA
(SINGING)
The fox went out in
a hungry plight,
Prayed for the moon
to give him light . . .
GRETA NOTICES
QUICKFELLOW
GRETA
Wake up, you empty
bag of wit;
The sun has hardly
risen yet,
And here you are,
asleep again.
WITH MOCK SOLEMNITY
GRETA KNIGHTS QUICKFELLOW ON THE STOMACH WITH THE BROOM
GRETA
Arise, Sir
Laziest-of-Men!
QUICKFELLOW WAKES UP
WITH A START
QUICKFELLOW
Eh? Pondering, just
pondering.
GRETA
Well, ponder on this
problem then:
Apply your
much-acclaimed, great wit
To something that's
in front of it;
Your pretty purse is
running dry
And we need gold to
see us by.
QUICKFELLOW
That's just what I
was working on-
For as you note, our
gold has gone,
Like dancing dust
before the storm,
Like sparkling stars
before the dawn.
But how am I to get
some more?
Now that's the
problem, to be sure.
It is too soon for
kingly gift,
And is too late for
saving thrift.
GRETA
(SARCASTICALLY)
The quickness of
your thought, the fine
Swift keenness of
your clever mind,
Are truly wonderful
to see!
Such brilliance and
such clarity!
Such penetrating
insight, found
With grasp of all
that is profound!
I could have told
you that myself!
QUICKFELLOW (
WITH PHONEY DIGNITY )
Dear Nag, you've
wasted all the wealth
Bestowed on us by
our good king,
At our sad time of
marrying,
In three short month
of squandering-
With pretty dresses,
perfumed airs,
And flashing
jewellery from fairs.
GRETA
I like the sound of
that! No doubt
You have forgotten
all about
Your all-night
revelling, your gifts
To short-lived
enterprises: lifts
On fortune's road to
its dead end.
And all the other
coins you spend
With good friends in
the gambling trade-
And of your fine
clothes, tailor-made.
QUICKFELLOW
The wheel of fortune
turns its way,
And what was once is
not today.
So, as they say,
what's done is done.
No need to quibble,
dearest one.
Still, things don't
look too good for us.
The way I view the
matter's thus-
As yet I dare not
ask for more;
The king throws
spendthrifts out the door.
GRETA
You'd better think
of something fast;
Or else our present
state is past.
QUICKFELLOW
(DEJECTEDLY)
My mind is blank, my
brain is dry.
I see no plans in my
thought's eye.
We can't get married
once more- that's by-
So all that we can
do is die!
QUICKFELLOW SITS
DEJECTEDLY ON THE BED BUT SUDDENLY SPRINGS UP AS AN IDEA STRIKES HIM
QUICKFELLOW
Greta, Greta, that's
it! Let's die!
GRETA
(IRONICALLY)
Quickfellow wait;
just let me try
To guess- this
worry's warped your brain,
And now you're
really quite insane.
We need to live so
we should die:
We need to laugh so
we should cry,
Or rest our legs by
a mountain climb.
QUICKFELLOW
No, no! I've really
got a plan this time.
Now listen closely
to my pretence.
I'll seek a special
audience
With his most royal
Majesty.
All onion-teared, in
misery,
I'll tell him how
you passed away,
Most sadly, only
yesterday.
Yes, you have gone-
so I'll relate-
A victim of a cruel
fate,
And after dearest
treatment too . . .
For only the best of
all would do,
And that, of course,
took all our gold.
GRETA
Where's all this
leading, dear Sir Bold?
QUICKFELLOW
Oh, Greta, come now,
don't you see!
True brilliance is
bound to be
Built on a strong
simplicity.
I'll have to ask his
Majesty
For gold to bury
you, as is fit,
I'm sure he won't
mind giving it.
He won't mind paying
properly
In such a time of
tragedy.
GRETA
Well, mind you don't
end hanging loose
Upon the end of a
hangman's noose.
QUICKFELLOW
No fear, my love. no
fear of that!
I won't end up the
one who's flat.
Indeed, to be quite
sure of my prediction,
I'll play my part
with real conviction.
So it shall be! Now
you lie low
And off with my sad
news I'll go.
GRETA
All right, I'll
vanish from court view.
I'll disappear from
day; but you
Take greatest care
to sound quite true!
GRETA GIVES
QUICKFELLOW A KISS AND SHE EXITS VIA ENTRANCE ONE. QUICKFELLOW
CROSSES TO EXIT ONE, SINGING.
QUICKFELLOW
(SINGING TO HIMSELF)
A fox went out in a
hungry plight,
Prayed for the moon
to give him light,
For he'd many a mile
to trot that night
Before he could
reach his den-o, den-o, den-o;
He'd many a mile to
trot that night
Before he could
reach his den-o. . .
QUICKFELLOW EXITS.
LIGHTS FADE
SCENE TWO
THRONE ROOM. AS
LIGHT FOCUS TWO COMES UP WE FIND KING FREDERICK ON HIS THRONE WITH
DODDERPUSS ATTENDING HIM
FREDERICK
Does any courtier
crave to be heard
For judgement by the
royal word?
DODDERPUSS
Your Highness, none
but a worthless, cunning sort.
FREDERICK
I have no worthless
man in court.
Who do you mean, old
Dodderpuss?
No- do not answer, I
can guess!
My jester
Quickfellow wakes your scorn;
Though but a
harmless, pleasing pawn,
Untroubled by
affairs of state-
A joker whose quick
wits create
Diversions from the
cares of power,
And laughter in a
carefree hour.
And sometimes
through light foolery
We see a truth more
totally:
Our viewpoint's
changed, we drop false pride
And see things from
another side.
So what's he do to
earn your hate?
Go now, and bid him
enter straight!
DODDERPUSS
(BOWING STIFFLY)
Yes, right away,
your Majesty.
FREDERICK
(ALONE, MUSING)
All foolishness and
trickery
Does not come
clothed in motley dress.
But often, like old
Dodderpuss,
Parades itself with
pompous airs,
Self-spun importance
and proud stares.
DODDERPUSS ENTERS,
FOLLOWED BY QUICKFELLOW
DODDERPUSS
Master Quickfellow.
QUICKFELLOW
(BOWING)
Your
Highest Majesty!
FREDERICK
Well, what is this?
What's this I see?
A stooping grief, a
face of woe,
A quivering lip, the
eyes' moist flow-
No jesting quickens
your mind today,
You look quite
stricken by dismay.
QUICKFELLOW
(WITH PATHOS)
I fear that sad news
brings me here,
Your Highness, for
I've lost my dear;
The only jewel of my
days
Has vanished from my
grieving gaze-
My dearest dear has
left this life,
My dearest, darling,
little wife!
My gentle dove has
flown away
Into the endless
blue of day!
My sweetest sweet,
my only love,
Has gone to that
vast realm above!
Yes, after all the
best and most
Expensive treatment,
stinting no cost,
My own good Greta
passed away,
Most sadly, only
yesterday.
FREDERICK
There is but one
thought for your pain:
Our earthly loss is
heaven's gain.
True faith can
temper your distress
As time goes by.
Consider this:
We all must die one
day, you know.
QUICKFELLOW
(HASTILY)
Ah yes, indeed,
indeed that's so.
However, I'm still
weighed down with woe;
The cost of trying
to keep life's hold
On her has gobbled
down my gold,
And I have nothing
left at all
To give her decent
burial.
FREDERICK (TO
DODDERPUSS)
Go; give him some
gold immediately.
QUICKFELLOW
A thousand thanks,
your Majesty.
QUICKFELLOW BACKS
OUT BOWING PROFUSELY. HE EXITS VIA ENTRANCE TWO. DODDERPUSS GOES TO
FOLLOW HIM.
DODDERUSS (TO
HIMSELF, ANGRILY)
More money for the
thieving-bold:
A sorry tale becomes
good gold!
DOODERPUSS EXITS
FREDERICK
(WITH A SIGH)
And so my jester has
no smile;
And will not have
for quite a while.
The grim-faced, bony
dancer bests
The laughing life of
jokes and jests.
FREDERICK EXITS,
SHAKING HIS HEAD. LIGHTS FADE.
SCENE THREE
QUICKFELLOW'S
BEDROOM. AS LIGHT FOCUS ONE COMES UP, WE FIND GRETA SITTING ON BED
GRETA
I wonder how
Quickfellow's faring:
With gold or trouble
for his daring.
High in his growing
tree of schemes
He's on a thinner
branch of dreams.
In reaching for the
last, gold apple
He must take care he
doesn't topple.
He must not break
what he has bent
With scheming that's
too confident!
QUICKFELLOW ENTERS
VIA ENTRANCE ONE, CARRYING A SMALL SACK IN HIS HAND. HE PLACES THE
SACK ON THE BED WITH AN AIR OF TRIUMPH.
QUICKFELLOW
Much richer than I
went, I come!
A perfect ploy, my
dearest one-
IT worked just like
s smooth scene played,
Perfected by the
actor's trade
So I return, as I
foretold-
A hundred pieces of
pure gold!
GRETA (WITH A
SMILE)
You think that's
clever. Then see this.
SHE PULLS OUT TWO
SACKS FROM BENEATH THE BED
Two hundred! Not a
fraction less!
QUICKFELLOW
What! What! How did
you conjure that!
You've really
knocked my posing flat.
GRETA
A perfect ploy, my
dear. You see
The mirror of your
trickery;
I've twice supplied
our golden lack-
Just your idea
turned on its back.
I thought that two
might try this scheme;
So went,
sad-widowed, to the queen,
And told her of your
cruel demise,
With quavering voice
and tear-stained eyes-
And came back with
the golden prize.
QUICKFELLOW
(LAUGHING)
Oh Greta, you're
really worse than me!
You've grown well
versed in villainy.
A THOUGHT STRIKES
HIM
By now our case
gains complication-
Your news will carry
no relation
To mine when their
Majesties
Compare diverging
destinies.
Two tales and
neither of them true-
It's bound to mix a
deadly brew.
I'd thought to prop
up this pretence
While I dreamed up a
good defence.
So now we have no
time to waste,
We must be off in
greatest haste.
The king and queen
are meeting soon,
As usual, in the
afternoon.
Let's hurry now and
pack our things,
We needs must grow
migrating wings.
GRETA
Yes, we must move
immediately-
Time tells of tales'
disparity.
QUICKFELLOW GOES TO
GATHER THE SACKS, BUT GRETA WITH A SLIGHT PETULANCE TAKES HER TWO.
THEY EXIT VIA ENTRANCE ONE, LIGHT FOCUS ONE FADES.
SCENE FOUR
THE THRONE ROOM
AS LIGHT FOCUS TWO
COMES UP WE FIND KING FREDERICK AND QUEEN FREDERICA ENTERING AND
GOING OVER TO SIT ON THEIR THRONES.
DODDERPUSS AND LADY
SMALLTALK IN ATTENDANCE
FREDERICK
But Frederica, my
own dear,
I'm telling you that
he was here!
One's own good ears,
one's own clear eyes,
Would seem fair
witness to the wise.
What you relate ties
riddle's knot:
What cannot be, can
not- is not.
They cannot both be
drawing breath
And silent in the
still of death.
So dearest, I can
only deem
What you relate a
wakeful dream.
Let's please pursue
some slight degree
Of sense and
logicality.
FREDERICA
So like a man! He
must become
Infallibility's own
son!
While woman cannot
have the wit
To read one line of
truth's own writ.
No, Frederick, I'm
telling you
That all I'm telling
you is true:
She visited this
very day.
Not three, short
hours have slipped away
Since Greta came to
me and said
Her dearest husband
was quite dead.
All widow-worn and
weeping-eyed
(Her man spent all
before he died)
She'd neither gold
nor jewellery
To see him buried
properly.
FREDERICK
I understand you
feel quite sure,
However, as I said
before,
You must be
dreaming, dearest one!
Quickfellow seemed
quite overcome
When he set forth
his woe to me:
And he produced a
similar plea.
DODDERPUSS
Permission to speak,
your Majesty.
FREDERICK
Permission granted,
Dodderpuss.
DODDERPUSS
(EAGERLY)
Perhaps I could. .
.look into this,
And make a call of
sympathy
To find who's
really. . .dead, you see.
FREDERICK
Of course, why not?
So it may be.
Go; bring the answer
back to me.
DODDERPUSS
Yes, right away,
your Majesty.
DODDERPUSS BOWS,
SHOWING OBVIOUS EAGERNESS.
FREDERICK RISES,
TAKING FREDERICA'S HAND
FREDERICK
Come, Frederica, we
shall wait;
The facts shall soon
end all debate.
And what is true
then all shall see
As true in truth's
simplicity.
FREDERICK AND
FREDERICA EXIT, FOLLOWED BY LADY SMALLTALK
DODDERPUSS COMES
FORWARD
DODDERPUSS
(ALONE)
At last a chance has
come my way,
Oh, perfect,
pleasing, joyous day,
To catch that
jesting ratbag out. . .
His tale is false, I
have no doubt.
My nose detects a
nasty pong;
I'm sure somehow
that something's wrong!
I'll teach him to
make a mockery
Of courtiers with
his trickery.
Why should he be
paid for idle days
Of laughter, jokes
and jesting ways?
I'll pin him firmly
in his place
And wipe the smirk
right off his face
I'll foul this
little trick of his-
I'll show what sort
of man he is.
DODDERPUSS EXITS.
LIGHT FOCUS TWO FADES.
SCENE FIVE
QUICKFELLOW'S
BEDROOM
AS LIGHT FOCUS ONE
COMES UP WE FIND GRETA LOOKING AROUND THE ROOM
GRETA (TO
HERSELF)
The hours turn
towards the rise of night
Which brings
obscuring of the light;
The blue becomes
star-patterned sphere,
And under its cover
we'll get clear.
Beneath the shelter
of the dark,
The cloak of sleep,
we shall depart
For other lands, for
other days,
With gold to pave
our laughing ways.
So I should hurry up
and be
Prepared for our
good odyssey;
I must be finished
packing soon-
Do I need anything
from this room?
GRETA CONTINUES
SEARCHING. QUICKFELLOW ENTERS IN OBVIOUS AGITATION FROM EXIT ONE,
LOOKING OUT TOWARDS AUDIENCE RIGHT.
HE TURNS HURRIES
TOWARDS THE BEDROOM
QUICKFELLOW
By hell's black
hounds, what shall I do?
I've really thrown
us in the stew!
GRETA
What's wrong with
you? You look so pale:
As if a ghost were
on your trail.
QUICKFELLOW
Much worse, much
worse is what I've seen!
Oh, what a feeble
fool I've been!
You see, I've just
seen Dodderpuss
Quick-tottering down
the road towards us.
That nasty, nosy,
telltale nit
Has sniffed the
scent of my deceit.
He's seized his
chance with our parading
Of puzzling griefs,
and thus persuading
King Frederick to
send him out
To check my story's
deal of doubt.
Let's see. . .let's
see, there's one wild chance:
We called the tune,
we'll join the dance!
Or turning terms
another way,
I shall impress with
grief's display!
Quick- throw
yourself down on the bed,
And lie there still,
like one who's dead.
I'll pull this sheet
right over you,
And hide you wholly
from his view.
GRETA
I'll be so still
I'll strike belief-
But you must be most
moved by grief!
GRETA THROWS HERSELF
ON THE BED. QUICKFELLOW PULLS UP THE SHEET, THEN GETS DOWN BY THE
SIDE OF THE BED, READY TO LAMENT
QUICKFELLOW
As soon as he trots
into view
My tears will start,
so hot and true.
AS SOON AS HE SEES
DODDERPUSS HE STARTS LAMENTING. DODDERPUSS HAS ENTERED VIA ENTRANCE
TWO AND HE COMES DOWN AND AROUND THE SCREEN TO THE BED.
QUICKFELLOW
(LAMENTING)
Oh how I cry, oh how
I sigh,
Right to the broad
and dusk-red sky!
For disappearing is
the day,
And my light too has
gone away!
My dearest dear, now
we're apart,
Oh, grief, oh grief
just grips my heart!
My little love, now
you're laid low,
My soul is so
weighed down with woe!
My sorrow is an
aching load,
To bear on life's
long, bitter road!
Oh, now you're dead,
my dearest wife,
How empty seems the
rest of life!
DODDERPUSS
Excuse my
interruption, sir-
I've come here as a
messenger. . .
That is to say. .
.not of. . .new news,
But of His Majesty's
grave views.
In short, to speak
my purpose swiftly,
That is. . .condense
the matter briefly-
His Majesty, His
Royal Highness,
Great be His Realm,
in all its fineness,
The King, that is,
said to convey,
In further measure
than his way
In audience had
seemed to say,
Deep sympathy on
this dark day.
QUICKFELLOW
Oh, Dodderpuss, what
shall I do?
The grief just
pierces me right through!
QUICKFELLOW THROWS
HIMSELF ON DODDERPUSS, HIS ARMS AND HANDS PAWING AT HIM SUFFICIENTLY
TO MAKE HIM UNSTEADY
DODDERPUSS
(HURRYING TO EXTRACT HIMSELF)
Please pardon me, I
do not know
Quite what to say
about your woe.
I've given you my
message, so
I must be gone, I'm
bound to say. . .
For I have much to
do today,
So I must get back
right away!
DODDERPUSS EXITS
HURRIEDLY VIA EXIT TWO QUICKFELLOW GOES OUT TO SEE HIM GO
QUICKFELLOW
(TO HIMSELF)
I'm truly glad to
see you go,
You sneaking, prying
so-and-so.
TO GRETA
Well, that is that!
Once more we're free
To finish packing
now and flee.
GRETA
(RISING)
When we are many
miles from here,
It's then I'll feel
we're in the clear;
I do not trust their
Majesties
To let us rest in
simple ease.
QUICKFELLOW
(TURNING BACK TO THE BEDROOM)
You may be right,
indeed you may!
We'll finish packing
right away.
SUDDENLY QUICKFELLOW
NOTICES SOMETHING ELSE, OFF AUDIENCE RIGHT
By all the powers of
heaven, no!
Our trouble doubles
in one blow!
GRETA
What is it now? Why
do you stand
Like one who sees
doom near at hand?
QUICKFELLOW
Another unwelcome,
prying bore
Will soon be calling
at our door.
That gossipy, old
bag of air,
Your mistress
Smalltalk, is over there;
And carefully coming
a different way
From master
Dodderpuss, I'd say.
The queen has sent
her here, I guess.
She doesn't trust
old Dodderpuss,
She thinks that he
will just report
What fits the king's
own favoured thought.
We'd better act,
she's getting near!
GRETA JUMPS UP FROM
SITTING ON BED
GRETA
I know the queen;
she hopes to hear
A different tale
from her old horse!
And there she's
right- she will, of course!
For differing report
delays
Perception of our
cheating ways;
Their majesties can
argue on-
For very soon we
shall be gone.
Our fortunes wheel
like birds in the sky;
Come on, it's your
turn now to die.
GRETA AND
QUICKFELLOW QUICKLY CHANGE PLACES
GRETA
(LAMENTING)
Now you are dumb,
oh, dearest one,
Now you've fled
life, now you are gone,
Oh woe is heaped on
hopeless woe-
Now that your soul's
gone down below!
My foolish love and
loving fool,
Now subject to
tormenting rule!
Oh, husband dear,
you've left your wife,
How empty seems the
rest of life!
AS SHE HAS BEEN
SPEAKING LADY SMALLTALK HAS ENTERED
LADY SMALLTALK
My pretty, dear,
young-featured thing,
Still sipping from
life's joyful spring,
I'm sad to see you
sorrowing;
I grieve to see you
wrapped in grief-
We must be brave
that's my belief!
In fact, the queen
has sent me here
To try to comfort
you, my dear.
So take this now and
dry your eyes;
One wrinkles more,
the more one cries.
LADY SMALLTALK
OFFERS HER A HANDKERCHIEF
GRETA
Lady Smalltalk, what
shall I do?
The grief just
pierces me right through!
GRETA THROWS HERSELF
ON LADY SMALLTALK AS QUICKFELLOW DID TO DODDERPUSS.
LADY SMALLTALK
Control yourself,
dear. After all,
Don't take this
wrongly now, my girl,
You could find
better any day-
That is, you see, I
mean to say,
There are many men,
fine dukes and such,
Who might be well
within your clutch.
The Good Lord gives
and takes away-
But tomorrow is
another day!
For such is life.
Our present woes
Seem ever smaller as
time goes.
No need to waste
your younger years
On storms of sighing
and of tears.
GRETA BACKS TOWARDS
THE BED
GRETA
(ARCHLY)
I guess you're right
there, in a way:
A spendthrift fool
on holiday,
That's how he's
lived and now he's paid
The price of endless
masquerade.
Though I'd implore
him to improve
And run within a
steady groove,
Wise words are
wasted on the ear
That never hears
when trouble's near.
No doubt I could do
better than
That thoughtless,
ever-jesting man.
HIDDEN BY GREAT AND
THUS UNSEEN TO LADY SMALLTALK, QUICKFELLOW SWIFTLY SLAPS GRETA ON THE
BOTTOM FOR THIS LAST REMARK. GRETA REACTS WITH A LOOK OF SLIGHT
SHOCK. LADY SMALLTALK TURNS BACK TO HER AND NOTICES HER CHANGE OF
MOOD
LADY SMALLTALK
I see you're feeling
better now!
No need to lose each
lovely hour
In sorrow when
there's much to do!
I knew you'd see my
point of view.
No point in fretting
for what's flown;
Far better seeing
what you own.
The future furthers
those who choose
To use whatever they
can use.
You have to pluck
the best each day
From twists of fate
that come your way.
Well- I must hurry
off, my dear;
Queen Frederica is
eager to hear
Some news of how
you're feeling now.
GRETA
Oh, thank you for
calling at this sad hour.
LADY SMALLTALK
EXITS. QUICKFELLOW SITS UP ON THE BED
QUICKFELLOW
How that old galleon
does rattle;
Her sails puffed-out
with spite and prattle!
She loves to sail
near to the fray
And let her cannons
blast away!
Still, now she's
gone, we'd best lie low
And wait until the
storm clouds go.
We cannot try to run
just yet.
GRETA
(THOUGHTFULLY)
The fish is tangling
in the net;
Our ship is running
on the rocks;
The hounds are
closing on the fox;
The mouse has seen
the traps are set.
I hope their
Majesties forget
This matter of who's
dead or not.
QUICKFELLOW
They haven't yet
quite yet sprung the plot.
Don't worry love,
we'll find a way
To slip the problems
of this day.
GRETA
I hope that your
hope's justified,
Or we'll be well and
truly fried!
GRETA EXITS
QUICKFELLOW
(TO HIMSELF)
Yes, it is easy to
seem calm;
But calm is no
defence from harm.
SINGING SOFTLY TO
HIMSELF FROM THE FOX AS HE STRAIGHTENS THE BED
Now John he ran to
the top of the hill,
And he blew a blast
both loud and shrill,
Said the fox,
"That's very pretty music, still
I'd rather be in my
den-o, den-o, den-o."
Said the fox,
"That's very pretty music, still
I'd rather be in my
den-o."
LIGHTS DIM. HE
EXITS.
SCENE SIX
THE THRONE ROOM. AS
LIGHT FOCUS TWO COMES UP, WE FIND KING FREDERICK AND QUEEN FREDERICA
ON THEIR THRONES.
FREDERICK
Well now, my dear,
the truth shall be
Revealed in all its
clarity-
My messenger returns
to me.
Now, once and for
all, we shall see
Which one of our
once-happy pair
Has flown forever
from earthly care.
DODDERPUSS ENTERS
Come Dodderpuss, now
did you find
Which one has left
this life behind?
DODDERPUSS
Indeed I did, your
Majesty.
It is. . .the wife,
undoubtedly.
FREDERICK
(SMUGLY)
Well, there you are,
my dear, you see
It is the wife-
undoubtedly!
FREDERICA
(CROSSLY)
There's only one
thing that's quite clear:
You're just told
what you want to hear.
I won't rely on that
old stick!
POINTING TO
DODDERPUSS
He won't trip me
with his weak trick!
You know he's only
pleasing you-
You see, I know it
can't be true.
LADY SMALLTALK
ENTERS
Ah, Lady Smalltalk,
I'm glad you're back;
On strictest oath,
just give the facts.
So tell us all, now
you've been round,
Just what is it that
you have found.
LADY SMALLTALK
(BOWING)
Your Majesty, just
let me say,
The husband's dead,
it's clear as day.
FREDERICK
As clear as day you
say to me-
As dark as night it
seems to be.
But those who hold
the power of state
Must keep a clear
head in debate.
And in all things
clear wisdom sees
That true
impossibilities
Just cannot be; and
so must test
Alternatives to find
what's best.
This foolish matter
bothers me
With challenge of
absurdity.
WITH SUDDEN DECISION
Thus I'll not let
this matter be,
But lift the veil of
mystery!
And so it is I'll
find who's right
Or I'll not rest in
bed tonight.
TO DODDERPUSS
Go; ready the
fastest coach for me;
My queen and I shall
go and see
If we can trace the
golden thread
That leads to
truth's clear fountainhead
Through all the
muddy maze of doubt.
When we're both
there we shall find out
This riddle's reason
which unlocks
The single truth in
paradox.
FREDERICK AND
FREDERICA EXIT, LEAVING LADY SMALLTALK STARING AFTER THEM. LIGHTS
FADE.
SCENE SEVEN
QUICKFELLOW'S
BEDROOM.
AS LIGHT FOCUS ONE
COMES UP WE FIND QUICKFELLOW ON HIS BED.
QUICKFELLOW
(REFLECTIVELY)
Although we cannot
run just yet,
For things are far
too hot for that-
The rabbit hugs to
briar hedge
While ever the fox
still roams the edge;
We can't stay here a
long time, for
We cannot even cross
the door
And thus appear in
public view.
But shortly, when
the fuss is through,
We'll take upon us
some disguise
And slip away from
prying eyes,
And set up in
another place,
With another name
for this old face.
But, for the
present, all seems clear.
GRETA RUSHES IN,
GESTURING FRANTICALLY
QUICKFELLOW
The cat has eaten
your tongue, my dear?
GRETA
(BLURTING IT OUT)
The king and queen
themselves have come.
You fool! Now look
what you have done!
QUICKFELLOW
Please pardon if I
need correction-
Was I alone in this
deception?
GRETA GOES TO ANSWER
QUICKFELLOW
Scratch that! No
time for long debate!
What can we do? We
can't escape!
Oh, have we left it
all too late!
THINKING
The king is calling
at our gate-
HE HAS A SUDDEN
DESPERATE THOUGHT
We'll greet him in
our proper state.
In other words, lie
down while I
Lie by your side; we
both shall die.
GRETA
You're right!
There's nothing left to do
But show them both,
we both are through.
THEY LIE DOWN
QUICKLY AND QUICKFELLOW DRAWS THE SHEET RIGHT OVER THEIR HEADS.
FREDERICK AND FREDERICA ENTER, FOLLOWED BY DODDERPUSS
FREDERICK
Well now, my dear,
at last we'll see
The answer to this
mystery.
HE LOOKS AROUND
Two bodies here now,
it would seem.
So what on earth
does all this mean?
DODDERPUSS
Perhaps. . . he. .
.died from his distress.
FREDERICA
(FIRMLY)
You mean, she died,
old Dodderpuss.
FREDERICK
(MUSING)
I need a
weather-vane to show
Which way the winds
decide to blow.
As what is true is
surely true-
Another answer comes
in view.
SLYLY
If anyone came back
to life,
I wouldn't wish that
they died twice.
In fact, I'd give
this diamond ring
To know the truth
about this thing.
HE TAKES A RING FROM
HIS FINGER
QUICKFELLOW
(PEEPING OUT SIDEWAYS FROM UNDER THE SHEET)
Your Majesty, may I
oblige?
My wife, who's lying
by my side,
Has suddenly
recovered breath
And woken from
apparent death.
And so the truth, it
would appear,
Is that we're both
still really here!
QUICKFELLOW SLIDES
OUT, LEAPS UP, AND TAKES GRETA BY THE HAND, SHE RISES. THEY BOW.
FREDERICA (WITH
A SMILE)
And so the truth is
found at last:
That both are
present and not past.
FREDERICK
(WITH A LAUGH)
Yes, that's the
truth. I might have guessed
All this was but a
crafty jest!
DODDERPUSS
(FURIOUS)
Justice! I demand he
die
For weaving this
disgraceful lie!
FREDERICK
(LAUGHING LOUDER AT DODDERPUSS' ANGER)
Yes, justice shall
be done in this!
TO QUICKFELLOW
You are my jesting
clown, no less?
QUICKFELLOW
(NODS AND BOWS)
With that position I
am blessed.
FREDERICK
And thus for jesting
you are paid?
QUICKFELLOW
Your Majesty, that
is my trade.
FREDERICK
And this was all a
jest you made?
QUICKFELLOW
Indeed, Your
Highness, that is so-
A trick, a joke, a
little show.
FREDERICK
And yet indeed a
teaching too,
Instructing us in
what is true.
For even if it were
not planned,
It's shown a
blindness of command.
The half of truth
each time we got,
And yet that half at
once forgot.
If we had not been
blinded by
Delight in arguing,
the lie
Would not have
worked so readily-
Truth would have
been seen easily.
Thus we can learn
opinion's worth
Is just a pinch of
dusty earth!
GIVING HIM THE RING
So take this ring as
pay from me,
But in future spend
more sparingly.
For all that you
have conned this day
I shall regard as
future pay
For some years'
jesting and merriment
That I'll expect you
to present.
WITH A BROAD GESTURE
Come all, let us
continue now
This merry start to
night's first hour.
KING FREDERICK TAKES
FREDERICA'S HAND AND THEY EXIT, FOLLOWED BY DODDERPUSS, STILL
GRUMBLING TO HIMSELF. GRETA FOLLOWS THEM. QUICKFELLOW POCKETS THE
RING AND STARTS TO EXIT, SINGING THE FOX , WHICH WE HEAR TILL IT
FADES AWAY ON THE LAST LINE.
QUICKFELLOW
(SINGING)
Then the fox and his
wife, without any strife,
Cut up the goose
without fork or knife.
They'd never had
such a good meal in their life
And the little ones
chewed on the bones-o, bones-o, bones-o;
They'd never had
such a good meal in their life
And the little ones
chewed on the bones-o.
LIGHTS FADE.
THE
END.
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