Three Wonder Plays Part 49

_2nd Dowager Messenger_: Maybe that is a token we should let them off.

_Ogre: (Briskly.)_ I am willing to be useful; give me here a knife or a hatchet!

_Servant: (To Ogre.)_ You need not be pushing yourself forward. _(To Guardian.)_ There is a stranger of an Executioner chanced to be pa.s.sing the road, just as I sent out, and he looking for work. He said he would do the job for a four-penny bit and his dinner, that he is sitting down to now.

_Guardian: (Sitting up straight and taking up sword.)_

Bring him in quick. It often seems a curious thing that I, Who in my ordinary clothes would hardly hurt a fly, Hold to the rigour of the law when I put on gown and wig, As if for mere humanity I didn't care a fig.

For once I'm seated on the bench I do not shrink or flinch From the reddest laws of Draco, or the practice of Judge Lynch.

_Servant: (At door.)_ Here he is now.

_(Jester comes in, disguised as Executioner, a long cloak with hood over his head.)_

_Guardian_: Here is the sword _(hands it to him and reads)_, "In case of the first act of theft the left thumb is to be struck off." There are the criminals before you. That is what you have to do.

_Jester: (Taking the sword.)_ Stretch out your hands! There is hurry on me. I was sitting at the dinner I engaged for. I was called away from the first mouthful, and I would wish to go back to the second mouthful that is getting cold.

_Guardian: (Relenting.)_ Maybe now the fright would be enough to keep them from crimes from this out. They are but young.

_Jester: (To Princes.)_ Don't be keeping me waiting! Put out now your hands. _(They shake their heads.)_

_Servant_: They cannot do that, being bound.

_Jester_: If you will not stretch out your hands when I ask you, I will strike off your heads without asking! _(Flourishes sword.)_

_Guardian: (Standing up.)_ I did not empower you to go so far as that! It is without my authority!

_Jester_: You have given over the power of the law to the power of the sword. It must take its way!

_Guardian_: I will not give in to that! I have all authority here!

_Jester_: If you grow wicked with the Judge's wig on your head, so do I with this sword in my hand! You called me in to do a certain business and I am going to do it! I am not going to get a bad name put on me for breach of contract! If a labourer is given piece work cutting thistles with a hook he is given leave to do it, or a rat catcher doing away with vermin in the same way! He is not bid after his trouble to let them go loose out of his bag! And why would an Executioner that is higher again in the profession be checked. Isn't my pride in my work the same as theirs? And along with that, let me tell you I belong to a Trades Union!

_(Guardian moans and covers his face.)_

_(To the Princes.)_ Kneel down now! Where you kept me so long waiting and that the Judge attempted to interfere with me, I have my mind made up to make an end of you! _(Holds up sword.)_

_1st Wrenboy: (Rushing forward and putting his arms about Prince.)_ You must not touch him!

These lads never did any harm!

_2nd Wrenboy: (Protecting a Prince.)_ It is we ourselves are to be punished if anyone must be punished.

_3d Wrenboy_: They are innocent whoever is to blame.

_Jester_: Take their place so! Someone must be put an end to.

_(All the Wrenboys kneel.)_

_1st Wrenboy_: Here we are so. We changed places with them for our own pleasure, thinking to lead a prince's life, and if there is anyone must suffer by reason of that change let it be ourselves.

_Jester_: I'll take off their gags so and let them free.

_(He cuts cord of gags and hands, then throws some dust over all boys as before, saying):_

Dust of Mullein leave the eyes You made fail to recognise Princes in their poor disguise; Princes all, had men clear eyes!

_(The Princes throw off their masks.)_

_1st Prince_: It is all a mistake! Oh, Guardian, don't you know now that we are your murslings and your wards! Look at the royal mark upon our arm, that we brought with us into the world.

_(They turn up sleeves and show their arms.)_

_2nd Dowager Messenger_: I am satisfied without looking at the royal sign. I have been looking at their finger nails. Those other nails _(pointing to Wrenboys)_ have never been touched with a soapy brush.

_2nd Prince_: It is strange you did not recognise us. It was that Jester yesterday when we changed our coats that threw a dust of disguise between you and us.

_1st Dowager Messenger_: Was it that these lads robbed you of your clothes?

_3d. Prince_: Not at all.

_4th Prince_: We ourselves that were discontented and wishful to change places with them.

_Guardian_: A very foolish thing, and that I have never read of in any of my histories.

_5th Prince_: We were the first to wish the change.

It is we should be blamed.

_5th Wrenboy_: No, but put the blame on us!

The Wrenboys you seen yesterday.

_Guardian_: Ah, be quiet, how do I know who you are, or if ever I saw you before! My poor head is going round and round.

_1st Wrenboy_: Now do you know us! _(All recite "The Wren, the Wren, the King of All Birds." Give first verse.)_

_Guardian: (Stopping his ears.)_ Oh, stop it!

That makes my poor head worse again.

_2nd Wrenboy: (Pulling up sleeve.)_ If you had chanced to see our right arm you would recognise us. We were not without bringing a mark into the world with us, if it is not royal itself.

_(Wrenboys strip their arms.)_

_1st Dowager Messenger_: What is he talking about? _(Seizes arm and looks at it.)_

_2nd Dowager Messenger_: It is the same mark as is on the princes, the sign and token of a King!

_1st Dowager Messenger_: It is certain these must be their five little royal cousins, that were stolen away from the coast.

_1st Wrenboy_: If we were brought away it was by that Grugach that has kept us in his service through the years.