A_ KNIGHT _stands before him. Back of
him are the_ LORDS, _the_ LADIES, _and the_ JESTER.]
KING. Now, what is this you say?
KNIGHT. I saw it all, your Majesty.
KING. You say one hundred men sit down to dine with him?
KNIGHT. Yes, your Majesty, every day.
KING. And fifty knights in velvet coats do wait on him?
KNIGHT. They bring him food on golden plates.
JESTER. Your Majesty does not eat on golden plates!
KING. I cannot afford it.
JESTER. Ha, ha! The king's Abbot lives better than the king!
KING. Be silent, Jester! Sir Knight, go bring this Abbot to me.
[_The Knight bows and goes._]
JESTER. The Abbot is the real king! Now who is John, ladies? Who is
John, lords? Truly, who are you, John?
[_All laugh. Enter the_ KNIGHT _and_ ABBOT.]
KING. Abbot, I hear strange things about you.
ABBOT. Your Majesty! How can that be?
KING. 'Tis said that every day you have one hundred men to dine with
you.
ABBOT. Oh, your Majesty, they are only friends.
KING. No matter who they are!
JESTER. 'Tis not their names! 'Tis what they eat!
LORDS. Ha, ha!
LADIES. Ha, ha!
KING. 'Tis said that fifty knights in velvet coats do wait on you!
ABBOT. Well, your Majesty, I--
KING (_interrupting)._ Do I have fifty knights to wait on me?
ABBOT.
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