He throws out his net and draws it in! He acts just as if he were
fishing.

QUEEN. Let's ask what he is doing.

KING. Come here, you foolish fellow! Come here, I say!

(NIX _comes to the King, but goes on with his fishing._)

Now what are you doing, sir?

[Illustration]

NIX. I am fishing, fishing, fishing.

KING. How can you fish where is no water?

NIX. Fish can be found on land if colts belong to oxen.

KING. What is that, sir?

NIX. If colts belong to oxen, then fish should swim in dust.

KING. Well, well, that may be true! What do you think, dear Queen?

QUEEN. I think with you--it may be true.

NIX (_fishing_). If colts belong to oxen, then I will always fish in
dust.

KING. Well, well, I think you may be right, sir!

(_Pause. The King thinks deeply._)

Yes, I am now sure that you are right, sir. Go get your colt from Farmer
Knave. Go with him, Prince, and see to it. Now come, dear Queen, we'll
walk about together, for 'tis a very pleasant day, 'tis very, very
pleasant.

THE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM

SCENE I

TIME: _one morning._
PLACE: _the highroad to Gotham._

* * * * *

HODGE.
PODGE.
NODGE.
SCRODGE.
KING.
SOLDIERS.

* * * * *

[_Enter_ HODGE, PODGE, NODGE, _and_ SCRODGE; _each carries an ax and
each chuckles to himself._]

HODGE. Well, the last tree is down!

PODGE. Down and across the road!

NODGE. Not a horse can get through them!

SCRODGE. How angry it will make the king! Ha, ha!

HODGE. He sent us word he would visit Gotham! Ha, ha!

PODGE. Ha, ha!

NODGE. Ha, ha!

SCRODGE. He would hang us if he knew we cut the trees!

HODGE. And let them fall across the road.

PODGE. He will not know. Not a Gotham man would tell him!

NODGE. Nor a Gotham woman!

SCRODGE. Nor a Gotham child!

HODGE. They have not forgotten what his last visit brought upon them.

PODGE. Everything he saw and liked, he took.

NODGE. And would not pay for it!

SCRODGE. His servants and his soldiers ate the town up.

HODGE. And would not pay for it!

PODGE (_looking off_). He is coming now! He is on the hill!

SCRODGE. He has his soldiers with him!

NODGE. He must not see us! Come!

[_They run off. Enter the_ KING _and_ SOLDIERS.]

KING. To think that I--a king--should have to walk!

FIRST SOLDIER. Shall I bring the horses up, your Majesty?

KING. Of what use? Look how the road from here is filled with trees!