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.

JOKER (_rising from his stool and making a mock obeisance_). My
gratitude, gentle Knaves, for your varied courtesies. (_The KNAVES bow
and exeunt, R., in single file. JOKER puts his stool back in its place,
beside the throne._) Of two misfortunes, rather let me suffer that of
being a fool than a knave. The one knows nothing of the evil he does;
the other knows nothing of the evil he does not do. And methinks whether
of evil or of good those Knaves know but little of what they now
perform. They bear those explosive bombs to the banquet hall? Surely
they err. But of my affair it is none, and so I shall sagely hold my
peace upon it, and--tap my wit! For here come the King and Queen.

[_Music. Enter the KING and QUEEN OF HEARTS, L., the JOKER bowing
and dancing before them as they come. They take their seats upon
the thrones._]

KING OF HEARTS. Well, Sir Joker, what was this riot that I lately heard?
What this odor of powder and saltpetre?

JOKER. The Knaves, my lord, the Knaves, the sorry Knaves. They did but
even pass this way toward the banquet hall, bearing fireworks. (_Sits
down in one of the arm-chairs, and juggles with his rattle._) They did
by mischance set off several of the pieces, and wellnigh scared me of
the possession of my wits.

KING OF HEARTS (_laughing_). Yet thou hast thy fool's cap still well on,
I hope?

JOKER. That I have, sire. So well on that even should you wish to borrow
it, you could not get it off.

KING OF HEARTS. Thou needst have no fear that I shall care to deprive
thee of that honor.

JOKER. Nay, but Kings have played the fool before.

KING OF HEARTS. True. And thou mayst well add--many a fool has played
the King.

JOKER. But do not accuse me, sire. I never played you. I do but play
upon you.

KING OF HEARTS. Thou playest upon me?

JOKER. Only to hear your sweet notes, my liege.

QUEEN OF HEARTS. Thou hast a well-turned speech to-day, Joker.

JOKER. Well turned, my Queen? Yet not so well turned as those giant
fire-crackers which you have fashioned for the fe