THE KING. My ears have been soiled too much already. Therefore go now and do as I have commanded thee.
THE SERVANT. O great and illustrious king, thou wilt surely not—
THE KING (roaring at him). I said, Go! (THE SERVANT, abashed, goes out.) Forsooth, I fancy the fellow will stop his bawling when I order him to. Forsooth, I fancy he will be pretty well frightened when he hears that the king desires his presence. Ha, ha, ha, ha!
THE SERVANT (returning). O king, here is the beggar.
(A shambling creature hung in filthy rags follows THE SERVANT slowly into the royal chamber.)
THE KING. Ha! A magnificent sight, to be sure. Art thou the beggar who has been crying aloud in the streets for bread?
THE BEGGAR (in a faint voice, after a slight pause). Art thou the king?
THE KING. I am the king.
THE SERVANT (aside to THE BEGGAR). It is not proper for a beggar to ask a question of a king. Speak only as thou art spoken to.
THE KING (to THE SERVANT). Do thou likewise. (To THE BEGGAR) I have ordered thee here to speak to thee concerning a very grave matter. Thou art the beggar, I understand, who often cries aloud in the streets for bread. Now, the complaint of thy voice annoys me greatly. Therefore, do not beg any more.