ast. Those indeed are
royal bombs!

QUEEN OF HEARTS. Bombs? They are indeed harmless. There is nothing in
them, but I warned the Knaves to handle them carefully, saying they
might unexpectedly explode. [_Laughs._]

JOKER. And so, if they exploded, 'twould in truth be unexpected!

[_As the JOKER finishes his speech, enter KNAVE OF DIAMONDS, L. He
holds the portieres up and announces in loud and formal tones._]

[Illustration: ARRIVAL OF THE ROYAL GUESTS.]

KNAVE OF DIAMONDS. Their Majesties the King and Queen of Diamonds.

[_Music. Enter the KING and QUEEN OF DIAMONDS, L._]

KING OF HEARTS. Welcome, my cousin of Diamonds. Welcome this glorious
July day.

QUEEN OF HEARTS. Welcome, fair lady. "First come, best loved," is the
saying, you know--and ye are the first come. Pray be seated.

[_At the entrance of the KING and QUEEN OF DIAMONDS the KING and
QUEEN OF HEARTS rise to greet them. The KING OF DIAMONDS bows to
the KING OF HEARTS and kisses the hand of the QUEEN OF HEARTS. The
QUEEN OF DIAMONDS courtesies. She then sits down in an arm-chair,
R., and the KING OF DIAMONDS takes his stand behind her. The KNAVE
OF DIAMONDS drops the portiere and sits on the bench._]

JOKER (_to QUEEN OF DIAMONDS_). Even the sun, fair lady--which is said
by the poets to shine brightest this fair month of July--even the sun
fails to outsparkle your priceless precious stones.

QUEEN OF DIAMONDS. Ah, you have a pretty wit, Sir Joker. But are they
not truly the most brilliant of jewels?

JOKER. The most brilliant of jewels, yes; but they pale before their
wearer's beauty.

[_Takes his seat on the stool near the throne._]

[_Enter, L., KNAVE OF CLUBS, who announces,_]

KNAVE OF CLUBS. Their Majesties the KING and QUEEN OF CLUBS.

[_Music. Enter the KING and QUEEN OF CLUBS, L._]

KING OF HEARTS. Welcome, welcome, good Clubs. My best wishes, fair lady,
my best wishes!

QUEEN OF HEARTS (_to QUEEN OF CLUBS_). Greeting to you, and pray take
seat beside our cousin of Diamonds.

[_At the entrance of the KING and QUEEN OF CLUBS, the KING and
QUEEN OF HEARTS arise, as before. The KING OF CLUBS bows to the
KING OF HEARTS, and kisses the hand of the QUEEN OF HEARTS. The
QUEEN OF CLUBS courtesies. She then sits down in an arm-chair next
to the QUEEN OF DIAMONDS, the KING OF CLUBS stands behind her, and
the KNAVE OF CLUBS takes his place on the benc