The Servant.

The Two Dowager Messengers.

The Ogre.

The Jester.

Two Soldiers.

The Scene is laid in The Island of Hy Brasil, that appears every seven years.

Time:  Out of mind.

ACT I

ACT I

Scene:  A winter garden, with pots of flowering trees or fruit-trees.  There are books about and some benches with cushions on them and many cushions on the ground.  The young PRINCES are sitting or lying at their ease.  One is playing “Home, Sweet Home” on a harp.  The SERVANT—­an old man—­is standing in the background.

1st Prince:  Here, Gillie, will you please take off my shoe and see what there is in it that is pressing on my heel.

Servant:  (Taking it off and examining it.) I see nothing.

1st Prince:  Oh, yes, there is something; I have felt it all the morning.  I have been thinking this long time of taking the shoe off, but I waited for you.

Servant:  All I can find is a grain of poppy seed.

1st Prince:  That is it of course—­it was enough to hurt my skin.

2nd Prince:  Gillie, there is a mayfly tickling my cheek.  Will you please brush it away.

Servant:  I will and welcome. (Fans it off.)

3rd Prince:  Just give me, please, that book that is near my elbow.  I cannot reach to it without taking my hand off my cheek.

Servant:  I wouldn’t wish you to do that. (Gives him book.)

4th Prince:  Gillie, I think, I am nearly sure, there is a feather in this cushion that has the quill in it yet.  I feel something hard.

Servant:  Give it to me till I will open it and make a search.

4th Prince:  No, wait a while till I am not lying on it.  I will put up with the discomfort till then.

5th Prince:  Would it give you too much trouble, Gillie, when you waken me in the morning, to come and call me three times, so that I can have the joy of dropping off again?

Servant:  Why wouldn’t I?  And there is a thing I would wish to know.  There will be a supper laid out here this evening for the Dowager Messengers that are coming to the Island, and I would wish to provide for yourselves whatever food would be pleasing to you.

1st Prince:  It is too warm for eating.  All I will ask is a few grapes from Spain.

2nd Prince:  A mouthful of jelly in a silver spoon ...or in the shape of a little castle with towers.  When will the Lady Messengers be here?

Servant:  Not before the fall of day.

2nd Prince:  The time passes so quietly and peaceably it does not feel like a year and a day since they came here before.