Page:Plays in Prose and Verse (1922).djvu/108

92 Hedgehog although I am, I’ll not unroll For you, King’s dog! Go to the King, your master. Crouch down and wag your tail, for it may be He has nothing now against you, and I think The stripes of your last beating are all healed.

[The has drawn his sword. [striking up sword]. Put up your sword, sir; put it up, I say! The common sort would tear you into pieces If you but touched him.

. If he’s to be flattered, Petted, cajoled, and dandled into humour, We might as well have left him at the table.

[Goes to one side sheathing sword.

. You must need keep your patience yet awhile, For I have some few mouthfuls of sweet air To swallow before I have grown to be as civil As any other dust.

. You wrong us, Seanchan. There is none here but holds you in respect; And if you’d only eat out of this dish, The King would show how much he honours you.

[Bowing and smiling.

Who could imagine you’d so take to heart Being driven from the council? I am certain That you, if you will only think it over, Will understand that it is men of law, Leaders of the King’s armies, and the like,