bused and crazy fool who means
No evil with his foolish jests! See now
How pitiful his mien! He strove to make
Thee laugh in his poor way as I in mine.
Forgive the knave, and drive him not away
Into the darkness like a snarling cur
That whines about the house! He hungers, too,
For thou hast given him naught to eat or drink
Since he has been beneath thy kingly roof.
I am an old, old man, King Mark; he is
My brother, and a jester like myself;
I pity him! I pray thee let me keep
Him here with me until tomorrow's morn,
That he may sleep with me within my bed.
Then, when the sun shall shine upon his road,
He shall depart and seek a dwelling place.
'Twas thou thyself encouraged him to jest;
Judge then thy guilt and his with equal eye.
He is a fool, a crazy, blundering fool,
Yet drive him not away! I pray thee let
Him sleep beside me here a while that he
Refresh himself! He looks so pitifully!

MARK.
Why, Ugrin, friend, 'tis new for thee to act
The part of charity!

UGRIN.
I serve thee, Mark,
With foolishness and jests--and thou but knowest
Me by my services.

MARK.
I still can make
One person glad tonight! Keep, then, thy fool
But thou stand'st surety for him if he should
Attempt to burn the castle or to do
Some other mischief in his madness.

[The Knight lets the Strange Jester go; he
crouches on the dais.]

UGRIN.
Mark,
Thou art indeed my dear, kind, cousin, still!
Good-night, fair cousin, go and sleep. Thou needst
It sorely--and--I pray that thou forget
Not my new wisdom!

MARK.
Sirs, I wish you all
A restful night for this has been a day
Of many cares and many tribulations.
Tomorrow shall we bury this brave Knight
With all the honors due his noble rank,
For he was innocent.

GANELUN.
Sleep well. King Mark!

1ST BARON.
May God watch o'er thee, Mark!

[The Barons go up the stairs; the Knights
and guards go out. The servants extinguish
all but a few of the lights.]

MARK (on the stairs).
Come, Dinas, come
With me, and we will watch a little w