to dine with him?

KNIGHT. Yes, your Majesty, every day.

KING. And fifty knights in velvet coats do wait on him?

KNIGHT. They bring him food on golden plates.

JESTER. Your Majesty does not eat on golden plates!

KING. I cannot afford it.

JESTER. Ha, ha! The king's Abbot lives better than the king!

KING. Be silent, Jester! Sir Knight, go bring this Abbot to me.

[_The Knight bows and goes._]

JESTER. The Abbot is the real king! Now who is John, ladies? Who is
John, lords? Truly, who are you, John?

[_All laugh. Enter the_ KNIGHT _and_ ABBOT.]

KING. Abbot, I hear strange things about you.

ABBOT. Your Majesty! How can that be?

KING. 'Tis said that every day you have one hundred men to dine with
you.

ABBOT. Oh, your Majesty, they are only friends.

KING. No matter who they are!

JESTER. 'Tis not their names! 'Tis what they eat!

LORDS. Ha, ha!

LADIES. Ha, ha!

KING. 'Tis said that fifty knights in velvet coats do wait on you!

ABBOT. Well, your Majesty, I--

KING (_interrupting)._ Do I have fifty knights to wait on me?

ABBOT. Well, your Majesty, I--

[_He stops in confusion._]

JESTER. Are eggs brought to us on golden plates? Not so! Not an egg!

KING. You spend more money, sir, than I do! How do you dare to do so?

ABBOT. 'Tis my own money, Sire--

KING. 'Tis not your money! Everything in this land belongs to me! You
shall go to prison, sir!

ABBOT (_falling on his knees_). Oh, say not so, dear King! Oh, say not
so!

KING. Well, I will let you off if you will answer me two questions.

ABBOT. Ask as many as you like, dear King.

KING. First, you must tell me how long I shall live.

[_The Abbot is silent._]

JESTER. Go on, John! Ask as many as you like!

KING. Then, Abbot, you must tell me what I think.

ABBOT. Your questions, Sire, are deep and hard.

KING. Answer them, or go to prison.

ABBOT. I pray you for some time to think!

KING. I will give you just two weeks. If you cannot answer then, I'll
have your head cut off. And then I'll take your lands and palaces.

JESTER. And your knights and golden plates!

ABBOT (_in a trembling voice_). In two weeks I will return, Sire.

KING. Two weeks and not a day longer! Go!

SCENE II

TIME: _two weeks later; morning._
PLACE: _the Abbot's palace._

* * * * *

ABBOT.
FIRST PROFESSOR.
SECOND PROFESSOR.
SHEPHERD.

* * * * *

[_The_ PROFESSORS _lo