LADY. The queen wants to see you, sir.

[_Nix goes to the Queen and bows._]

QUEEN. I heard all from the castle window. I know the colt is yours.

NIX. I thank you, my Queen, I thank you!

QUEEN. Now you must show the king that colts cannot belong to oxen, never have belonged to oxen, and never will belong to oxen.

NIX. I will go to him at once! I will tell him--

QUEEN. Not so fast! I said you must show the king. He would not let you tell him. No one ever dares to tell things to a king.

NIX. How can I show him?

QUEEN. You must think out the way. I cannot help you more.

NIX. I thank you, my Queen, I thank you.

QUEEN. The king comes out to walk soon.

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?

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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!