KING (throws the sceptre at his head).
Sir Brazenbold of a scholar! What do you dare to say? The fool pleases me, me, his king, and if I like him, how dare you say that the man is ridiculous? You are the court scholar and he the court fool; you both have equal positions; the only difference is that he is dining at the little table with the strange hunter. The fool displays his nonsense at the table, and you carry on an intelligent conversation at the table; both are only to while away the time for me and make my meal taste good: where, then, lies the great difference? Furthermore, it does us good to see a fool who is more stupid than we, who has not the same gifts; why, then, one feels greater oneself and is grateful to heaven; even on that account I like to have a blockhead around.
[THE COOK serves the rabbit and goes.]
KING.
The rabbit! I do not know—I suppose the other gentlemen do not care for it?
ALL (bow).
KING.
Well, then, with your permission, I will keep it for myself. (He eats.)
PRINCESS.
It seems to me the king is making faces as though he were getting an attack again.