(The Actor mounts the rock. He is received with hand-clapping and cries of "bravo" by the spectators.)
THE ACTOR.
(Breaks first into laughter, then speaks the following lines, accompanying each couplet with a different kind of titter.)
Count Onofrio was a man
As stupid as a ram,
And he had daughters seven
He wanted paired up even.
Their way no suitor bent his legs.
Rotten eggs! Rotten eggs!
THE AUDITORS.
(Have interrupted this effort several times with hisses and whistles. At the last words they pelt the actor with clumps of earth, while with shrill whistling they repeat the words.) Rotten eggs! Rotten eggs!
THE THEATRE MANAGER.
(Blaring out above the rest of the noise.) Down with the rascal! A page! The Lord God created him in wrath! Alea est jacta!
(The Actor leaves the rock.)
(Chorus.)