g_: Don't be talking of roasted meat! I
think I can eat no more for a twelvemonth!

_Dall Glic_: There will be nothing roasted that
any person will have occasion to eat. When the
oven door will be open, give orders to your bullies
and your foot-soldiers to give a tip to him that
will push him in. When evening comes, news will
go out that he left the meat to burn and made off
on his rambles, and no more about him.

_King_: What way can I send orders when I'm
near crazed in my wits with the want of rest. A
little minute of sleep might soothe and settle my
brain.

_(Lies down.)_

_Dall Glic_: The least little word to give leave
...or a sign ...such as to nod the head.

_King_: I give you my word, my head is tired
nodding! Be off now and close the door after
you and give out that anyone that comes to this
side of the house at all in the next half-hour, his
neck will be on the block before morning!

_Dall Glic: (Hurriedly.)_ I'm going! I'm
going.

_(Goes.)_

_King: (Locking door and drawing window curtains.)_
That you may never come back till I ask you!
_(Lies down and settles himself on pillows.)_ I'll be
lying here in my lone listening to the pigeons
seeking their meal. "Coo-coo," they're saying,
"Coo-coo."

_(Closes eyes.)_

_Nurse: (At door.)_ Who is it locked the door?
_(Shakes it.)_ Who is it is in it? What is going on
within? Is it that some bad work is after being
done in this place? Hi! Hi! Hi!

_King: (Sitting up.)_ Get away out of that,
you torment of a nurse! Be off before I'll have
the life of you!

_Nurse_: The Lord be praised, it is the King's
own voice! There's time yet!

_King_: There's time, is there? There's time
for everyone to give out their chat and their gab,
and to do their business and take their ease and have
a comfortable life, only the King! The beasts
of the field have leave to lay themselves down in the
meadow and to stretch their limbs on the green
grass in the heat of the day, without being pestered
and plagued and tormented and called to and
wakened and worried, till a man is no less than
wore out!

_Nurse_: Up or down, I'll say what I have to
say, if it cost me my life. It is that I have to tell
you of a plot that is made and a plan!

_King_: I won't listen! I heard enough of
plots and plans within the last three minutes!

_Nurse_: You didn't hear this one. No one knows
of it only myself.

_King_: I was told it by the Dall Glic.

_Nurse_: You were not!