(He leans the lute against the wall, sinks down upon a stool at the back of the cell and plaits a straw mat.)——I am thirsty.——Is it really so late in the day?——How time passes here! (He rises and looks curiously upward through the window.) By the Lord, the sun is beginning to glide along the south wall of the tower!——Time for the water jug! (He fetches an earthen jug from the corner and stands expectantly before the door.)——He will soon come!——Did I ever enjoy a drink while I was king as I do the fresh draught of water which I have received daily at this hour for the last twelfthmonth? I believe it's a stroke of good fortune that I was never in jail during my own reign.
(The door opens noisily and a rough voice outside calls, "Water jug!" The King hastily sets the jug outside the door and returns inside the cell. The door slams shut, but is reopened immediately and the jailer enters.)
THE JAILER.
Zounds and death, Gigi, how did you smash the jug? Silence, you dog! There's a hole in the jug. It was sound yesterday. I'll pitch into you so that your face will bleed! You take me for your servant because lately I haven't watched you so closely. You'll get it now so that your hair will turn white! Show your work!
(The King produces the unfinished straw mat.)
THE JAILER.
That your day's work! You won't get a bit of bread until you finish five times that amount! (Throwing the mat down at his feet.) There!——Now I'll inspect your cell. Look out for yourself! I won't let you out of this hole alive!
(Putting his hands behind him, he goes step by step along the wall from door to window, examining it from top to bottom, and turning around now and then at the prisoner, who stands motionless in the middle of the cell.) What does that spider web mean up there? The fourth disciplinary punishment for eight days! (Turning around.) You still know the seven disciplinary punishments by heart?——Hey, Gigi?
THE KING.
I know them by heart.