FLAT-FOOT (quickly).  Isabel does naught but gaze and gaze, on flowers and trees and running brooks.  Ha, ha, ha!

PRINCE.  Is this true, Isabel?

ISABEL (timidly).  Yes, Prince.

HANGING-LIP.  She says these flowers and trees and running brooks do sing her songs.  Ha, ha, ha!

PRINCE.  Is this true, Isabel?

ISABEL (as before).  Yes, Prince.

BROAD-THUMB.  And she begs leave to write down these songs.  Ha, ha, ha!

[ILLUSTRATION:  THE PRINCE SEES THE THREE GREAT-AUNTS]

PRINCE.  Is this true, Isabel?

ISABEL (hanging head).  Yes, Prince.

PRINCE.  Isabel, hang not your head.  I’ll give you time to write your songs.

QUEEN.  My son—­

PRINCE (interrupting).  Nay, nay, mother!  The songs please me better than the flat-foot and the hanging-lip and the broad-thumb of the spinners.  Come, Isabel, you shall be my princess!  You shall sing me your songs!  You shall teach me how to gaze upon flowers and trees and running brooks, for these things have ever been dear to my heart.  Come, Isabel, come!

THE EMPEROR’S TEST

SCENE I

TIME:  one spring; noon. 
PLACE:  an army camp on the banks of a large creek.  A village is near by. 
To the south is a great forest.

* * * * *

THE EMPEROR. 
THE GENERAL. 
THE CAPTAIN. 
FIRST AIDE. 
SECOND AIDE. 
THE MAYOR’S WIFE AND SON. 
THE RICH MERCHANT’S WIFE AND SON. 
THE POOR WOODCUTTER’S WIFE AND HER SON, PIERRE.

* * * * *

[An ante-room in the Emperor’s tent is seen.  Great curtains separate this room from the Emperor’s room back.  An AIDE waits in the ante-room.  Enter the GENERAL from the Emperor’s room.]

GENERAL (to the Aide).  Have any yet come from the village?  The Emperor would know.

AIDE.  Yes, General.  They wait without.

GENERAL.  Bid them enter.

AIDE (crossing; speaking to those without).  You will please enter.

[Enter the MAYOR’S WIFE and SON; the RICH MERCHANT’S WIFE and SON.]

GENERAL.  You have come to see the Emperor?

THE LADIES.  General, we have.

GENERAL.  His Majesty wishes you to leave your sons here in camp until evening.

MAYOR’S WIFE.  General, could you not tell us the Emperor’s plans?

GENERAL.  Yes, madam.  The Emperor must march southward where the enemy is in camp.  He wishes a guide who can lead him safely through this great forest.

RICH MERCHANT’S WIFE.  We were told the Emperor would greatly honor the lad he chooses.

GENERAL.  ’T is true, madam.  The lad chosen will be made an aide.

MAYOR’S WIFE.  I thought only princes were chosen for the Emperor’s aides.