e was so little
business for him this long time under your own
peaceable rule, that he is after leaving us, and
taking a job in a slaughter house out in foreign.

_2nd Dowager Messenger_: Maybe that is a token
we should let them off.

_Ogre: (Briskly.)_ I am willing to be useful; give
me here a knife or a hatchet!

_Servant: (To Ogre.)_ You need not be pushing
yourself forward. _(To Guardian.)_ There is a
stranger of an Executioner chanced to be passing
the road, just as I sent out, and he looking for
work. He said he would do the job for a four-penny
bit and his dinner, that he is sitting down
to now.

_Guardian: (Sitting up straight and taking up sword.)_

Bring him in quick. It often seems a curious thing that I,
Who in my ordinary clothes would hardly hurt a fly,
Hold to the rigour of the law when I put on gown and wig,
As if for mere humanity I didn't care a fig.
For once I'm seated on the bench I do not shrink or flinch
From the reddest laws of Draco, or the practice of Judge Lynch.

_Servant: (At door.)_ Here he is now.

_(Jester comes in, disguised as Executioner, a
long cloak with hood over his head.)_

_Guardian_: Here is the sword _(hands it to him
and reads)_, "In case of the first act of theft the
left thumb is to be struck off." There are the
criminals before you. That is what you have to do.

_Jester: (Taking the sword.)_ Stretch out your
hands! There is hurry on me. I was sitting at
the dinner I engaged for. I was called away from
the first mouthful, and I would wish to go back
to the second mouthful that is getting cold.

_Guardian: (Relenting.)_ Maybe now the fright
would be enough to keep them from crimes from
this out. They are but young.

_Jester: (To Princes.)_ Don't be keeping me
waiting! Put out now your hands. _(They shake
their heads.)_

_Servant_: They cannot do that, being bound.

_Jester_: If you will not stretch out your hands
when I ask you, I will strike off your heads without
asking! _(Flourishes sword.)_

_Guardian: (Standing up.)_ I did not empower
you to go so far as that! It is without my
authority!

_Jester_: You have given over the power of the
law to the power of the sword. It must take its way!

_Guardian_: I will not give in to that! I have
all authority here!

_Jester_: If you grow wicked with the Judge's
wig on your head, so do I with this sword in my
hand! You called me in to do a certain business
and I am going to do it! I am not