lindness and His unavoidable
Decree; for wisdom lies in piety,
As says an ancient proverb; hence I will,
From this day on, learn piety that I
Become a very sage for wisdom.

[Goes away.]

A KNIGHT.
Calm
Thyself!

UGRIN (calling to MARK).
Ay, cousin, make thyself a monk!

MARK (turning back).
And I will learn to laugh at God that He
Should give Himself such trouble for a man
Like me--poor fool! Enough! Forgive my wrongs
In friendly wise, as I will overlook
Your sins with all my heart. But, if a man
Grown lately wise may counsel you, sin not;
Your work is the beginning, God's the end.

UGRIN (calling out to him).
Amen.

MARK.
I've broken in upon your game
My friends, and chattered on. Forgive it me;
Resume your play and cups; drink on, I pray.

[He goes over to UGRIN.]

Thy jokes are empty of all wit today,
Ugrin.

UGRIN.
My wit has fallen off, say'st thou?
Decay of time, believe me Mark; for wit
Is wine, and wine is poured into a cup
Of sparkling gold, and not into a crack'd
Old jug, and thou, illustrious cousin, art
Become a broken pot since noon today!

[Hands him his jester's sceptre.]

Here, hit thyself! Behold the ring is gone!
My wit's too precious for a ringless cup.
At Easter tide I'll seek me out as lord
Some jovial soul who loves his wine; who plays
Wild pranks, and gives his wife away when he
Is tired of her!

MARK (sitting down on the stone bench).
Friend Ugrin, I warn
Thee, heed thy tongue!

UGRIN.
Ay, cousin! Ay, 'twere best
Since thou'st forsworn all quarreling!

MARK.
I wish
That I might put thee on the rack and have
Thee whipped before I go to rest! Instead
I'll give thee two broad marks of gold if thou
Can'st move Iseult to laughter; and I'll give
Besides the gold a brand-new cloak to wear
In winter time!

UGRIN.
Well lined?

MARK (takes him by both ears).
I've set my heart
Upon it that Iseult shall laugh, so do
Thy best, my friend!

UGRIN (stands up).
With some well-chosen