Oh Rats! Rats!! and then again more Rats!!!

ACT III

Dramatis Personae

_Caesar:_ . . . . . . _Ruler of the State._
_Francos:_ . . . . . . _Governor General of a Province._
_Quezox:_ . . . . . . _Resident Delegate from the Province._
_Seldonskip:_ . . . . _Secretary to the Governor General._

_Scene I. Throne Room at the Capitol._

_Caesar soliloquizing._

'Tis done! The die indeed is safely cast.
And Wisdom smiles, while seated on her throne.
'Twere well to kill two birds with one shrewd fling
Of fortune's stone, and thus from grievous ills
Which close enwrapped by robes of custom, are
Work freedom from the threats of cruel fate.
Francos, whose mental woof is frail indeed,
Stood for promotion to important post.
Which might embarrass all the wheels of state,
And so 'twere well within his itching hand
To place commission for those distant Isles
Where mild efficiency can work no harm.
'Tis strange that Francos in the halls of state
So long hath squatted, in a chair too big,
But still much gold can smooth a thorny path
And work discovery of hidden worth.
With modest mental gifts, but gentle mien
He ill is fitted for promotion here.
But it were matter of but little weight
With Quezox as a mentor at his side,
What he shall fashion in his pigmy state,
For squirt from wisdom's fount can quench each flame.
But Quezox? Can I trust this sable knight?
He speaketh soft, but lurking in each smile
Methinks I spy a double meaning there.
'Twere well to bring Dame Caution to the front
And hold this fellow, as he runs, in leash;
For he, while fat with wisdom, may of guile
Be deeply feeding, and from stomach weak
May spew deep discord when we least expect.
I have it! well 'tis known that Wisdom's bird,
While winging daily flight, hath hovered o'er
Our foes politic, and hath often shunned
To make her nest in Democratic boughs.
'Twere well to seek from out the tricky foe
One who shall balance, like the flying wheel,
The various acts of Francos and his crew
And so most shre