NIX.  I will return to show him.

[Nix bows to the Queen and goes.  The KING and PRINCE come from the castle.]

QUEEN.  ’Tis a pleasant day to walk, dear King.

KING.  Oh, ’tis very, very pleasant.

[Enter Nix with a fishing-net.  He throws out the net and draws it in.]

QUEEN.  Why, look you what that foolish man is doing!

KING.  He throws out his net and draws it in!  He acts just as if he were fishing.

QUEEN.  Let’s ask what he is doing.

KING.  Come here, you foolish fellow!  Come here, I say!

(NIX comes to the King, but goes on with his fishing.)

Now what are you doing, sir?

[Illustration]

NIX.  I am fishing, fishing, fishing.

KING.  How can you fish where is no water?

NIX.  Fish can be found on land if colts belong to oxen.

KING.  What is that, sir?

NIX.  If colts belong to oxen, then fish should swim in dust.

KING.  Well, well, that may be true!  What do you think, dear Queen?

QUEEN.  I think with you—­it may be true.

NIX (fishing).  If colts belong to oxen, then I will always fish in dust.

KING.  Well, well, I think you may be right, sir!

(Pause.  The King thinks deeply.)

Yes, I am now sure that you are right, sir.  Go get your colt from Farmer Knave.  Go with him, Prince, and see to it.  Now come, dear Queen, we’ll walk about together, for ’tis a very pleasant day, ’tis very, very pleasant.

THE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM

SCENE I

TIME:  one morning.
PLACE:  the highroad to Gotham.

* * * * *

HODGE. 
PODGE. 
NODGE. 
SCRODGE. 
KING. 
SOLDIERS.

* * * * *

[Enter HODGE, PODGE, NODGE, and SCRODGE; each carries an ax and each chuckles to himself.]

HODGE.  Well, the last tree is down!

PODGE.  Down and across the road!

NODGE.  Not a horse can get through them!

SCRODGE.  How angry it will make the king!  Ha, ha!

HODGE.  He sent us word he would visit Gotham!  Ha, ha!

PODGE.  Ha, ha!

NODGE.  Ha, ha!

SCRODGE.  He would hang us if he knew we cut the trees!

HODGE.  And let them fall across the road.

PODGE.  He will not know.  Not a Gotham man would tell him!

NODGE.  Nor a Gotham woman!

SCRODGE.  Nor a Gotham child!

HODGE.  They have not forgotten what his last visit brought upon them.

PODGE.  Everything he saw and liked, he took.

NODGE.  And would not pay for it!

SCRODGE.  His servants and his soldiers ate the town up.