JOKER (_sitting down again_). Troth, for a fat Knave thou speakest plainly. 'Tis to be hoped thou canst hear as well. Now listen. Whither go ye? KNAVE OF SPADES. To the banquet hall. JOKER. And what bear ye? KNAVE OF SPADES. Fireworks. JOKER. Fireworks? KNAVE OF SPADES. Indeed, fireworks. [Illustration: "ART BLIND? CANST NOT SEE?"] KNAVE OF HEARTS (_poking a large fire-cracker into the JOKER's face_). Art blind? Canst not see? JOKER (_much alarmed_). Away there, varlet, away! KNAVE OF SPADES. Ay, fireworks, Sir Joker, for to-day 'tis the glorious Fourth. JOKER. To-day the Fourth of July? KNAVE OF DIAMONDS (_to the other KNAVES in a mocking tone_). He was well named "Fool." KNAVE OF CLUBS. In truth he was; yet no name was necessary. 'Tis plain writ upon his face. [_The KNAVES laugh loudly._] JOKER. Marry, for a pack of rowdy varlets ye four do verily hold first claim, although you rotund Knave of Spades doth possibly deserve exemption. I prithee, Spades, whyfore all this preparation? Why these fireworks? And why so many large red fire-crackers? KNAVE OF SPADES. Have you not heard of the King's banquet? KNAVE OF HEARTS (_sitting down on the bench and shaking his head wearily_). Nay, Spades, ask him not. He has the ass's ears, but hears naught. KNAVE OF DIAMONDS. Or hearing, understands naught. JOKER. By my halidame an ye ruffians bridle not your tongues, I will even on this torrid night fall to and smite ye till ye whine like hounds for mercy! [_Threatens them with his rattle._] THE FOUR KNAVES. Oh, but that is a fierce threat! [_They nod their heads to one another in mock seriousness, and point at the JOKER with the big fire-crackers._] JOKER. And now, Spades--? KNAVE OF SPADES. Ay, Sir Joker, to-night the King and Queen of Hearts do hold a sumptuous feast, and afterward there are to be fireworks galore. To the banquet have been invited the King and Queen of Spades, the King and Queen of Diamonds, and the King and Queen of Clubs. JOKER. A right royal company, Spades. KNAVE OF SPADES. Indeed right royal. And the feast too shall be right royal. My liege the King of Spades brings with him his fiddlers three. JOKER. So, so! Ha, ha! [_Sings._] "Old King Kole Was a merry old soul. A merry old soul was he; He called for his pipe, He called for his bowl, And he called for his fiddlers three." KNAVE OF HEARTS. Nay, but methinks the Joker hath his rhyming mood to-day. Sit thee down, Diamonds, and be a comfortable listener. [_The Knave of Diamonds sits down on the bench beside the Knave of Hearts._] JOKER. It is meet that I should have my rhyming mood to-day; for at the feast will there not be mirth and rhyme and wit? KNAVE OF HEARTS. Ay, mirth and doggerel, Joker; but what wit there may be thou'lt not answer for 't. JOKER (_rising and shaking his fist_). I can answer for thee, though, thou churl! KNAVE OF HEARTS [_bowing_]. Gramercy, but I can answer for myself.