_Pantomime--Enter, as if half-crazed, the KING, barefoot, his clothes in disorder. He runs hither and thither about the hall in great agitation._ CÉBÈS (_not seeing the KING_): They are all asleep. The lamp sputters and smokes. _(He painfully stretches himself on his back._ THE KING(_groaning, in a low voice_): Ah! _(Pause._ CÉBÈS (_lowering his voice_): Two, four, Six, eight, twelve, Fourteen, Sixteen, eighteen, thirty-six, Seventy-two, a hundred and forty-four. I wish that I could sleep, too. THE KING: Ah! CÉBÈS: I am thirsty. I would like a drink! But I will not drink. I am sick! The night is long. If only I could sleep a little! _(He closes his eyes._ THE KING: Ah! CÉBÈS: Who is sighing? Is anyone there? _(He turns his head and sees the KING._ _(Silence._ THE KING: Ah! __(He catches sight of CÉBÈS. Can't you sleep, my child? CÉBÈS: I cannot sleep. THE KING: Are you thirsty? Would you like me to get you a drink? CÉBÈS: Pardon me, Sire. I shall not drink till he returns. THE KING: Sire! Is there still such a title? Do not call me Sire, my child! They have left us all alone, my daughter and me, and everyone has fled, for the enemy is at hand. They did not trouble themselves much about me. The Prime Minister did it all. He explained to me how matters stood. He was always making me late to dinner. I have a bad digestion; I ought to have my meals at regular hours. They held a meeting, some ten or twelve of them, and they brought a great pile of papers. One sees strange people nowadays. Then they all went away. The Prime Minister went away also, taking with him the crown jewels to put them in safe keeping. Even the servants have gone. Not a single one is left. _(The bells begin to chime midnight._ It is as it is in the city. Only the poor remain and those who have no choice. _(The last strokes sound._ What hour is that? CÉBÈS: Midnight. THE KING: There is no one here any longer. But I cannot sleep and I wander through the palace From the kitchen to the immense garrets and I seem to hear behind the doors the quiet breathing of sleepers, and the fire upon the hearth sends out a little glow. These poor folk who arrived yesterday, seeing the palace empty, asked if they might spend the night here. They are visionaries; they wish to watch and pray. It seems that we have been beaten everywhere. It is a shameful thing! Our blunders Surpass our misfortunes, and all is submerged in dishonor. And at will the enemy crosses our frontiers. --Terror is upon us! _(Silence.--The snores of the WATCHERS are heard._ Hark to these watchers who watch! They whistle, wheeze and snort, they are so fast asleep! It is a voice, a horn, a leather trumpet! _(Silence._ I tell you that a panic has seized the city And each man cowers in his home and dares not stir from his door. O people! O city! O my wretched country, destroyed, devastated, plundered like an unguarded sheep-fold! Oh! oh! Will this terrible night never end!