[Some men carrying a bucket full of water suspended on their shoulders, begin to swill the ground with a large wooden ladle.]

EXECUTIONER

It requires skill, my little lamb——to find just the right place——skill and force too, of course——Ah! I can tell you, our business is not learnt in a day——

A SWEETMEAT-PEDLAR

[Ringing a small bell] They have the flavour of sugar-cane, the sweets that I have for sale.

FRUIT-VENDOR

Ay, ay! White as tallow, white as jade, my fresh melons.

TWO BEGGARS [Playing guitars]

Come listen to the legend of the King of the Dragons.

[They sing in a very shrill voice.]