SCENE 5
[Within the castle rivals appear seated, with a small table between them. The Haughty Rival wears his curl-papers covered by a tall hat. The Humble Knight carries a dagger. Serving Maid stands outside the screen with tray, ready to appear at proper time.]
Shakes his fist angrily.
Within the castle’s dining hall,
The rivals sat at meat;
“You coward!” cried the haughty knight,
“I know you meant to cheat!
Becomes still more angry, and finally half rises, leans over, and shakes his fist directly in the other’s face.
“You did not care who won the maid,
You were not bold enough,
Why did you not approach the cat
With manner fierce and rough?”
Humble knight gesticulates.
Enter maid with tea tray.
The humble knight was roused at last,
And angrily spake he,
He did not see the serving maid
Who brought the toast and tea;
Serving maid pulls his hair.
She holds tray almost over his head, and when he leaps up, it is tossed into the air, falling with a clatter.
So to make known her presence there,
And chide him for delay,
She pulled his hair—he sprang about,
Upsetting all the tray!
Haughty knight laughs, and humble knight draws dagger.
The haughty knight laughed loud and long,
Whereat the first was wroth,
“I will reveal your schemes,” cried he,
And drew his dagger forth.
Points scornfully at his rival, who puts hands in pockets and leans back, tilting his chair.
“Who tried with fine and foppish dress
To win the maiden’s heart?
Who curled his hair with papers tight,
Until the roots did start?”
At this, he springs to his feet, and makes threatening gestures.
“I say ’tis false!” the suitor cried,
“And prove it if you dare!
I never dressed in foppish style,
Or tried to curl my hair!”
Points to his hat.
Pulls off his rival’s hat, revealing a mass of curl-papers, of exaggerated size.
“Then take your hat off,” said his mate,
And with a sudden wrest,
He seized his rival’s head dress fine,
And lo!—he stood confest!
[Screen the Light]