Act III. Scene 1.

Haloo—haloo.

Haloo.

Come on this way, I’ve found a little clearing—come along.

Zounds, but I’m all scratched up—these beastly thorns Are just like lion’s claws. Where are we now?

Oh don’t ask me—I’m perfectly at sea—

It seems to me we’re more like in the woods.

Ha—ha—you’re right—come on old boy, cheer up.

Humph—what’s the use, we’re lost—we’ve got to starve. We’ve followed this old claw thorn hedge all day, The forest is as thick as banks of spears, Solid—it is—our falcon’s blown away— We didn’t get the stag we chased—gadzooks My arm’s like ribbons on a maying pole.

Oh well, cheer up, at least we’re still alive.

That’s just the trouble. If I weren’t alive I wouldn’t know how beastly starved I am.

I guess we’ll last a little longer.

Humph!

Look here, look here, I’ve got a bit of bread, I brought it out to feed the falcon with. Here take it if you’re hungry. (He tosses it to Gentleman.)

No, sire, no—

We’ll share it then. (He feels again in his pouch.) Why, here’s a piece of cheese!

Good—good.

Oh, no, it’s just a candle’s end.

Ugh! I was just about to eat it—bah!

Here save it—we may have to eat it yet.

The bread is awfully dry—I wish I had A good meat pastry now—

With brown old ale! (Singing lustily.) Oh give me the good meat pies of old; Oh give me the foaming ale, And the flaming logs when the day grows cold And at dusk the minstrel’s tale— Oh give me a sword with a straight blue blade, And the tourney’s clash and din— And a merrie heart and unafraid, And a princess fair to win! Oh give—

My lord, pray do you think it wise— To sing—well, quite so loudly?

Well, why not? Think I’ll disturb the birds—or do you think I’ll make them jealous? (Stands up, takes off his hat and bows.) Birds, I humbly crave thy pardons.

No, my Lord—I only thought That since we don’t know what is hidden there— Your voice perhaps—

Yes, I’ll admit my voice May startle even dragons into rage.

Oh, no, don’t say you think there’s dragons there.

I shouldn’t be surprised—big scaly ones.

I don’t see any; oh let’s go away. I wouldn’t want to meet a dragon—sire.

You’re safe enough I think—the hedge seems high And sharp enough to keep all dragons out. (then seeing that the Gentleman is truly terrified.) Why I was only fooling you, old boy. The only dragons live in minstrels’ tales— There’s not one left alive these days. But still There’s something queer about these woods.

I know. Too queer for me!

Why all day long I’ve thought Of those old minstrels’ tales I used to love When I was just a little lad, and sat Before the great log fire, listening, So thrilled and frightened that I hardly breathed.

I always went to sleep when minstrels came (sitting down).

And there was one tale that they used to tell About this very forest, so they say, That there was once a castle here, and all The people in it were asleep: the King And Queen, and even all the mice and rats Were sleeping. And there was a Princess, too, So beautiful she made your heart stand still. I used to dream about her on those nights, And wake and look across our battlements, And vow I’d marry her when I grew up. But those were minstrels’ tales—(He sighs) Come on, wake up—(He shakes Gentleman’s shoulder.) I swear I’ll find a way inside the hedge.

Oh don’t—oh don’t, I’m sure it isn’t safe.

Seek safety when we’re old, but while we’re young We’ll seek adventure with courageous hearts!

All right my lord, you’re right—As usual. But still I think that we were fools to come And hunt here in these woods when everyone Said it was dangerous.

Old women’s talk! (He searches up and down hedge.) I wonder what’s behind it. Oh look here! I see an opening I think—yes—yes—(He crawls half through hedge, his feet sticking back.) It’s tiny—I can make it bigger though.

You’re fooling me again.

I’m not I swear—(He works at making hole bigger.)

Well, I believe you—for you never lie.

Haloo—I’m through. Well, by my halidome!

What do you see?

Well by my halidome!

What is it? Are you hurt my lord? Come out (he tries to pull the Prince back by his legs).

Good heavens, no—let go you idiot You’ll pull my legs off—hi—let go I say.

A dragon’s got you! Oh, my lord—my lord.

No, no, there’s not a sign of one—but oh Come through, come quick, oh, oh, how wonderful: A palace, gray and old, and everything All grown around it, thick rank vines and trees— And crumbling turrets, and a drawbridge, too, All tumbling in, and there’s a green old moat. Come, let’s explore the castle, hurry through.