"Old King Kole
Was a merry old soul.
A merry old soul was he;
He called for his pipe,
He called for his bowl,
And he called for his fiddlers three."
Knave of Hearts. Nay, but methinks the Joker hath his rhyming mood to-day. Sit thee down, Diamonds, and be a comfortable listener.
[The Knave of Diamonds sits down on the bench beside the Knave of Hearts.]
Joker. It is meet that I should have my rhyming mood to-day; for at the feast will there not be mirth and rhyme and wit?
Knave of Hearts. Ay, mirth and doggerel, Joker; but what wit there may be thou'lt not answer for 't.
Joker (rising and shaking his fist). I can answer for thee, though, thou churl!
Knave of Hearts [bowing]. Gramercy, but I can answer for myself.
Joker. And 'twill not be the first time. Methinks, as a thief thou hast already been called upon to answer once. (Sits down again.) And now, Spades, I beg of thee, proceed.
Knave of Spades. There is little more to tell, Sir Joker, save that the Queen of Hearts herself did fashion these huge fire crackers—eight of them, that there should be one for a salute to each guest. We bear them now to the banquet hall.
Knave of Diamonds. Ay, and the quicker we go hence the wiser; for time moves on apace, and the guests will soon be here.