But at the throne of Wisdom I must kneel
And suppliant pray for light to guide my steps
For there be deep entanglements to snare
My feet, if circumspection aids me not.
This Carpen hath a sleek and subtle mind
Full well equipped for all stern duty's calls;
Hence we who seek to tread in Freedom's path
Find him a stumbling block to be removed.
But we with clever strategy must work
And hide our deep design in honey'd words,
For he hath wisely kept his lips well sealed,
Thus leaving us without just cause for plaint,
Methinks 'tis hard to gauge this gentleman,
For silence wise is oft misunderstood;
Behind it Wisdom, hidden, may abide,
Of Folly it may make her secret home.
Of import weighty is the post he holds,
But from it we must shrewdly pry him out,
For he may Francos slyly misinform
And so delay fruition of our hopes.
_(Claps his hands; enter muchacho.)_
_Muchacho:_ What wouldst thou, sir; mine ears did hear the call,
So quick I haste with "Scotch and soda" primed.
_Quezox:_ Go to, thou vermin, that shouldst dare presume
To quick determine what shall quench my thirst.
Hast thou not heard that vintage of the vine
Since Caesar hath th' imperial crown assumed
Is now become the only proper draught
For those who in his favor high would stand?
Hence "grape juice" bring, and speed thee, or the back
Shall feel the stripes thy varlet hide demands.
_Muchacho:_ I beg, Senor, my feeble speech be heard:
Methought that "grape juice" were a childish pap,
But I will bring it and an orangeade,
Thus heaping honors on two noble men.
_(Exit muchacho)_
_Quezox:_ But thought hath strayed like an unbridled steed,
And I must harness it to work my will.
This Bonset: Francos seems to love him well
And may him thrust in Carpen's cast-off shoes;
My bowels gripe me with suspicion dire
That plans are rip'ning to this very end;
Hence we must pour in an unwilling ear
A weighty protest ere the scheme matures.
An open opposition were not wise
For Francos hath, I ween a stubb