Three Wonder Plays Part 46

_1st Wrenboy_: Is it that we can have what is on that table?

_2nd Dowager Messenger_: You may, and welcome.

_1st Wrenboy: (With a shout.)_ Do you hear that news! Come on now. Take your chance!

I'll have the first start! Skib scab! Hip, hip, hooray!

(_They rush at table and upset it, flinging themselves on the food_)

CURTAIN

ACT III

ACT III

_The Hall of Justice. It is nearly dawn. The last of the Princes is getting in through the window.

They are wearing their masks_.

_Ogre: (Outside door to left.)_ Open now the door for myself.

_1st Prince_: No, we will get rid of him now. Let the Grugach stay outside.

_2nd Prince_: That will be best. He cannot break the bars of this door, or get round over the high wall to the door on the other side.

_3rd Prince_: I am sore with the blows he put on us, driving us before him through the wood.

_4th Prince_: Let us call to the Guardian, and let him deal with him. He can bring his foot soldiers and his guns.

_5th Prince_: A villain that Ogre is and a thief, wanting to steal away the golden-handled sword.

But we would not tell him where it was, and he never will find it under the step of the Judge's chair. (_Lifts top of step, takes out sword and puts it back again_.)

_Ogre: (Outside.)_ Are ye going to open the door?

_1st Prince_: It is a great thing to have that strong door between us.

_2nd Prince_: Take care would he break it in.

_3rd Prince_: No fear. It would make too much noise. It would bring every person in the house running.

_4th Prince_: Let us go quick and call the Guardian.

_5th Prince_: What will he _say_ seeing us in these clothes? He will be vexed with us.

_1st Prince_: It was folly of us running away.

But he will forgive us, knowing it will teach us better sense.

_2nd Prince_: Come to him then, I don't mind what he will do to us so long as we are safe from the terrible Grugach of an Ogre. (_All go to right door, it opens and Ogre bursts in_.)

_Ogre_: Ye thought to deceive me, did ye? Ye thought to bar me out and to keep me out? And I after minding you and caring you these seven years!

_3rd Prince_: What way did you get in?

_Ogre_: It's easy for me to get in any place. If I had a mind I could turn into a house fly and come through the lockhole of the door. It's much if I don't change the whole lot of ye into small birds, and myself to a hawk going through you! Or, into frightened mice, and I myself into a starving cat!

It's much if I don't skin you with this whip, and grind your bones as fine as rape seed!

_4th Prince_: I will call for help! (_Tries to shout_.)

_Ogre: (Putting hand over his mouth and lifting whip.)_ Shout now and welcome, and it is bare bones will be left of you! If it wasn't that I need you to search out the golden-handled sword for me I'd throttle the whole of ye as easy as I'd squeeze an egg! Come on now! Show me where the treasure is hid.

_5th Prince_: How would we know?

_Ogre_: Didn't I send ye spying it out, and if it fails ye to make it out, I'll boil and bake you!

_1st Prince: (Looking about and pointing to end of room_.) It might be there.

_Ogre_: What way would it be on the bare floor?

Search it out.

_2nd Prince: (Looking under a bench_.) It might be here.

_Ogre_: It is not there.

_3rd Prince: (Looking up chimney_?) This would be a good hiding-place.

_Ogre: (Looks up_.) There is nothing in it, only an old nest of a jackdaw,--a bundle of bare twigs.

Trying to deceive me you are and to lead me astray.

_4th Prince_: It might be on the shelf.

_Ogre_: Stop your chat unless you have something worth saying.

_5th Prince: (Sitting down on step under which sword is hidden_.) Are you certain there is any treasure at all?

_Ogre_: You are humbugging and making a fool of me! _(Lashes whip and seizes him_.) Get up now out of that! _(Drags him up and taps board.) _ There is a hollow sort of a sound.... That is a sort of place where a treasure might be hid.

_(Drags up board_.) I see something s.h.i.+ning. _(Pulls out sword_.) Oh, it is a lovely sword! And the handle of pure gold. The best I ever seen!

_1st Prince: (To the others_.) I'll make a run now and call out and awaken all in the house! _(Is going towards door_.)

_Ogre: (Seizing him_.) You'd make your escape would you?

_1st Prince: (Calling out_.) Ring the big bell, ring the bell! I forgot it till now.