1st Dowager Messenger: Oh, all that you say
delights us to-day!
We'll have good news to bring of these sons of
a king.
Servant: Here they are now coming.
(Wrenboys in Princes' clothes come in awkwardly.)
Guardian:
Now put out a chair.
Where these ladies may hear.
Come over, my boys ...(Now what is that noise?)
Come here, take your places, and show us your
faces,
And say out your task as these ladies will ask.
I would wish them to know how you say Parlez-vous,
And I'd like you to speak in original Greek
And make numeration, and add up valuation;
But to lead you with ease and on by degrees
In case you are shy in the visitors' eye
I will let you recite, as you easily might,
The kings of that Island that no longer are silent
But ask recognition and to take a position—
(Though if stories are true they ran about blue,
While we in Hy-Brasil wore our silks to a frazzle—)
So the rhymes you may say that I heard you to-day;
And the opening will fall on the youngest of all.
Servant: Let you stand up now and do as you
are bid. (Touches 5th Wrenboy.)
Guardian: Go on, my child, say out your lesson.
William the First as the Conqueror known....
(Boy puts finger in mouth and hangs his head.)
Ah, he is shy. Don't be affrighted, go on now;
don't you remember it?
5th Wrenboy: I do not.
Guardian: Try it again now. You said it off
quite well this morning.
5th Wrenboy: It fails me.