Who would discourse upon some pregnant facts Which may perchance to thee be quite unknown. _Francos:_ Good Halstrom, tell me of their every mien. _(anxiously)_ Didst thou in judgment fair, within their eyes Spy greedy look as if on plunder bent? If so, 'twere best preoccupation plead. _Halstrom:_ I think, my Liege, 'twere safe to give them ear So that offense may rankle not their minds. _Francos:_ Ha, thinkst thou so? Then hail them to my court. But stay! Wisdom doth hint that in each ear A caution should be breathed that concise speech Were best, for pressing matters constant urge. _Halstrom:_ Thy words are uttered but to be obeyed. That time is precious I will firm impart. _(Retires and ushers the visitors in.)_ Most honored Sire, these gentlement would speak On matters of great import to the state. _Francos:_ Welcome, sweet Gentlement, I greet thee well, And wait the import of the words ye bring. I beg thee speedily the burden ease From off thy overladen minds, that we May then in converse wise consider well The various phases of a matter new. _Gentleman:_ Your Honor!--Please excuse the term, as I From pleading long before the bar have thus Familiar with this title grown, and so From 'tween my lips the word did careless slip. _Francos (earnestly):_ But honored Sir, I fain would ask what bar It wast before which thou didst earnest plead? _Gentlemen:_ Ha! Ha! Methinks a subtle humor finds Its home within the mind of him who rules. But in all truth the point were taken well, For Caesar, rumor saith, disdains the cup Which doth inebriate and thus befool The mind of him who at it tarries long. But Sire, the business which doth urge us here Is of great import to our party's needs. _Francos:_ I pray thee, hasten to the point, for time Hath wings that bear us swiftly on. _Gentleman:_ Most noble Governor, I sore lament That from our noble South there be men here Who have deep sympathy for these, who in The past have fattened at the public crib, And find no sympathy for Caesar's plan To mould this commonwealth on model grand Perfected by the chivalry front which Both he and thou didst draw sweet childhood's milk. These men did quick condone the ev'ry act Which emanated from the Northern mind. Yearly were millions spent on bootless task Of feeding vacant minds on useless food Because unfitted to their various needs. "A little knowledge is a dang'rous thing" And doth unfit the plodding mass for toil,