Aye! Aye!
YOUNG MEN. Aye! Aye!
[_All the men begin to work._]
PODGE. I think this will save our noses.
[_Enter the_ KING _and the_ SOLDIERS.]
KING. Is there a tree left on the road?
FIRST SOLDIER. We took them all away, Sire.
KING (to _a soldier._) Then go and get our horses. We will ride into
this Gotham town. (_The soldier salutes and goes._)
Where do you roll these stones, old men?
AN OLD MAN. Uphill to help the sun rise.
KING. What! To help the sun rise?
OLD MAN. Yes, your Majesty.
KING. Don't you know that the sun will rise without help?
OLD MAN. Will it? Well, well! Who would have thought of that!
KING. You foolish fellows! Well, go on and roll your stones. Now tell me
why you grunt, young men?
A YOUNG MAN. Oh, we do the grunting while our fathers do the work.
KING. Ha, ha! Well, go on and grunt. Now what are you men doing?
HODGE. There is a cuckoo here, your Majesty.
KING. What if there is a cuckoo there?
PODGE. We are building a wall around it, Sire?
KING. Why build a wall around it?
NODGE. To keep it from flying away.
KING. Ha, ha! Don't you know that the bird can fly over the wall?
HODGE. Well, well! Who would have thought of that!
NODGE. How very wise you are, Sire!
KING.
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