SECOND SOLDIER. Just as it was back there!

KING. I know! It was done to keep me out of Gotham! I know!

(_To Third Soldier._)

Here, you!

THIRD SOLDIER (_saluting_). Yes, your Majesty.

KING. Get to Gotham, if you have to crawl.

THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty.

KING. Tell these men of Gotham I shall come again.

THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty.

KING. And when I do--and when I do--[_He stops._]

THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty?

KING. And when I do, I'll have their noses!

THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty.

KING. I'll have the Gotham nose of every Gotham man cut off his Gotham
face!

THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty.

KING. Go, now, and tell them that!

THIRD SOLDIER (_saluting)._ Yes, your Majesty.

[_He goes._]

KING. We will now return the way we came. (_He shakes his finger toward
Gotham_,)

I'll have your noses, that I will!

[_He goes with his soldiers._]

SCENE II

TIME: _one month later._
PLACE: _a field near Gotham._

* * * * *

HODGE.
PODGE.
NODGE.
SCRODGE.
KING.
SOLDIERS.
OLD MEN OF GOTHAM.
YOUNG MEN OF GOTHAM.
PETER AND OTHER GOTHAM BOYS.
POLLIE AND OTHER GOTHAM GIRLS.

* * * * *

[_The_ OLD MEN, _the_ YOUNG MEN, _and the_ CHILDREN _are in the field._]

AN OLD MAN. Well, the king's men have taken all the trees away.

A YOUNG MAN. A good month's work it made them, too!

ANOTHER OLD MAN. And now the king will come again!

PETER. And we shall lose our noses!

POLLIE. I do not wish to lose my nose!

[_Enter_ SCRODGE, _running._]

SCRODGE. The king is coming!

[_Enter_ HODGE, _running._]

[Illustration: "QUICK, NOW--BEFORE THE KING COMES"]

HODGE. The king is coming!

[_Enter_ PODGE _and_ NODGE, _running._]

PODGE _and_ NODGE. The king is coming!

PETER. And we shall lose our noses!

POLLIE. Oh dear! Oh dear! I'll lose my nose!

CHILDREN. Oh dear! We'll lose our noses!

HODGE. Now get you back to Gotham, children! You will not lose your
noses.

PODGE. Quick, now--before the king comes!

[_The children go, holding their noses._]

NODGE. Now, Gotham men, do you all know what to do?

OLD MEN. Aye! Aye!

YOUNG MEN. Aye! Aye!

[_All the men begin to work._]

PODGE. I think this will save our noses.

[_Enter the_ KING _and the_ SOLDIERS.]

KING. Is there a tree left on the road?

FIRST SOLDIER. We took them all away, Sire.

KING (to _a soldier._) Then go and get our h