ABBOT. Well, your Majesty, I--

[_He stops in confusion._]

JESTER. Are eggs brought to us on golden plates? Not so! Not an egg!

KING. You spend more money, sir, than I do! How do you dare to do so?

ABBOT. 'Tis my own money, Sire--

KING. 'Tis not your money! Everything in this land belongs to me! You shall go to prison, sir!

ABBOT (_falling on his knees_). Oh, say not so, dear King! Oh, say not so!

KING. Well, I will let you off if you will answer me two questions.

ABBOT. Ask as many as you like, dear King.

KING. First, you must tell me how long I shall live.

[_The Abbot is silent._]

JESTER. Go on, John! Ask as many as you like!

KING. Then, Abbot, you must tell me what I think.

ABBOT. Your questions, Sire, are deep and hard.

KING. Answer them, or go to prison.

ABBOT. I pray you for some time to think!

KING. I will give you just two weeks. If you cannot answer then, I'll have your head cut off. And then I'll take your lands and palaces.

JESTER. And your knights and golden plates!

ABBOT (_in a trembling voice_). In two weeks I will return, Sire.

KING. Two weeks and not a day longer! Go!

SCENE II

TIME: _two weeks later; morning._ PLACE: _the Abbot's palace._

ABBOT.

FIRST PROFESSOR.

SECOND PROFESSOR.

SHEPHERD.

[_The_ PROFESSORS _look through very large books._]

ABBOT. Look well for the answers, friends. Look long, look deep, look well.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

FIRST PROFESSOR (_closing book_). I cannot find the answers here.

SECOND PROFESSOR (_closing book_). I cannot find them in my book.

ABBOT. Have you looked in other books?

FIRST PROFESSOR. We have looked in every book.

SECOND PROFESSOR. In every book, in every house, in every town.

ABBOT. Alas! Alas! What shall I do? What shall I do?

FIRST PROFESSOR. Go to the king and tell him all.

ABBOT. And then I'll lose my head!

SECOND PROFESSOR. Yes, I fear you'll lose your head.

FIRST PROFESSOR. I am sorry, Abbot, I wish that I might help you.

SECOND PROFESSOR. I am sorry too, friend Abbot. And I do wish the same.

ABBOT. You both have tried your best. Farewell.

(_The Professors bow and go._)

Alas! Alas! Alas! Alas!

[_Enter the_ SHEPHERD.]

SHEPHERD. Good-day to you, good Abbot!

ABBOT. Ah, Shepherd, I am glad to see you. How goes it in your village?

SHEPHERD. We do nothing there but laugh since your visit to us, sir. We laugh all day and half the night.

ABBOT. Now why do you do that?

SHEPHERD. Because, sir, I look so much like you. At least, they think so in our village.