Mark (going to the grating).
The fools, it seems,
Smell out my door as carrion-vultures smell
A corpse.
Ugrin.
Cousin; let him be driven out!
I beg thee, have him whipped.
1st Guard (from without).
I've caught thee, rogue!
Dinas.
How came this strange fool past the gates, Gilain?
Wast thou asleep?
1st GUARD.
King Mark, this man has slunk
About the gate since it grew dark. He says
He wants to see thee. Many times have we
Already driven him away, but still
He sticks like pitch about the gate.
Str. Jester.
I am
A jester from a foreign land—I wish
To come to thee. King Mark!
1st GUARD.
Behold the fool!
He cries like that unceasingly.
Dinas.
Speak, fool,
What need hast thou of me?
Str. Jester.
Mark, let me in!
I'll make such jests that thou, and all thy lords
And ladies die from laughing at my wit.
Gimella (laughing).
The merry jests!