ncake
And turn it upside down!

In this I follow after
Lycurgus who was wise;
To the little god of laughter
I make my sacrifice!

And now here is my word of command! Everyone
into his right place!

_Ogre_: Spare me! Let me go this time!

_Jester_: Go out now! I will not bring a blemish
on this sword by striking off your ugly head. But
as you have been through seven years an enemy
to these young boys, keeping them in ignorance
and dirt, they that are sons of a king, I cross and
command you to go groping through holes and dirt
and darkness through three times seven years in
the shape of a rat, with every boy, high or low,
gentle or simple, your pursuer and your enemy.
And along with that I would recommend you to
keep out of the way of your own enchanted cats!

_(Ogre gives a squeal and creeps away on all fours.)_

_Guardian_: I think I will give up business and
go back to my old trade of Chamberlain and of
shutting out draughts from the Court. The
weight of years is coming on me, and it is time for
me to set my mind to some quiet path.

_1st Dowager Messenger_: Come home with us
so, and help us to attend to our cats, that they will
be able to destroy the rats of the world.

_2nd Dowager Messenger: (To Princes.)_ It is best
for you come to your Godmother's Court, as your
Guardian is showing the way.

_1st Prince_: We may come and give news of our
doings at the end of a year and a day.

But now we will go with our comrades to learn
their work and their play.

_2nd Prince_: For lying on silken cushions, or
stretched on a feathery bed.

We would long again for the path by the lake,
and the wild swans overhead.

_3d Prince_: Till we'll harden our bodies with
wrestling and get courage to stand in a fight.

_4th Prince_: And not to be blind in the woods
or in dread of the darkness of night.

_1st Wrenboy_: And we who are ignorant blockheads,
and never were reared to know
The art of the languaged poets, it's along with
you we will go.

_5th Prince_: Come show us the wisdom of woods,
and the way to outrun the wild deer,
Till we'll harden our minds with courage, and
be masters of hardship and fear.

_2nd Wrenboy_: But you are candles of knowledge,
and we'll give you no ease or peace,
Till you'll learn us manners and music, and news
of the Wars of Greece.

_1st Prince_: Come on, we will help one another,
and going together we'll find,
Joy with those great companions, Earth, Water,
Fi