BLUE HOSE. Heaven be kind to us!
YELLOW HOSE (suddenly agitated). Your Majesty, I implore your forgiveness. There is no raspberry jam in the palace.
POMPDEBILE What! Who is responsible for this carelessness?
BLUE HOSE. I gave the order to the grocer, but it didn't come. (Aside) I knew something like this would happen. I knew it.
VIOLETTA (untying her apron). Then, Pompdebile, I'm very sorry—we shall have to postpone it.
CHANCELLOR. If I may be allowed to suggest, Lady Violetta can prepare something else.
KNAVE. The law distinctly says that the Queen-elect has the privilege of choosing the dish which she prefers to prepare.
VIOLETTA. Dear Pompdebile, let's give it up. It's such a silly law! Why should a great splendid ruler like you follow it just because one of your ancestors, who wasn't half as nice as you are, or one bit wiser, said to do it? Dearest Pompdebile, please.
POMPDEBILE. We are inclined to think that there may be something in what the Lady Violetta says.
CHANCELLOR. I can no longer remain silent. It is due to that brilliant law of Pompdebile the First, justly called the Great, that all members of our male sex are well fed, and, as a natural consequence, happy.