2D GUARD. The children may Stand in the front, but hold them. There crawls one! 1ST GUARD (pushing the child back into the crowd). My little friend, get back! Now see, I'll make A line upon the ground, and if thy toes, But by a hair's breadth, cross that line again, I'll drop my spear on them and they shall be As flat as any barley cake. [Laughter.] 1ST GIRL. Ha, Ha! 2D GIRL. Hast thou become a baker, oh Gilain! 1ST GUARD (lifting his mailed hand). Ay, wench, would'st see me knead my dough? [Laughter.] A BOY. Be still I hear the crier's voice from down below! A GIRL. He's wandered up and down the streets since dawn And called until my blood runs cold! THE BOY. Hush. THE GIRL. Hark! VOICE OF THE CRIER (distant and ringing). Today at noon, because King Mark has found Her faithless and untrue, shall Queen Iseult Be given to the lepers of Lubin,-- A gift to take or leave. And, furthermore, Lord Tristram, who was once her paramour, Transgressed King Mark's decree by entering His realm. Whoever catches him and brings Him quick or dead unto the King shall have One hundred marks of gold for his reward. 'Tis good King Mark's decree that every one Should hear and know these things that I have cried. A CHILD. Oh, I'm afraid! Will he come here, that man? THE GIRL. I know it all by heart, and still he cries! A MAN. Ay, let him cry! ANOTHER MAN. Lord Tristram, he's a fox; To catch him they must have a good deep pit Or else he'll scratch them so that all their lives They'll think thereon. A GIRL. Tristram's a noble lord, I'd shield him an I could. A SECOND GIRL. I want to see The Queen close by. A THIRD GIRL. Ay, so do I! A FOURTH GIRL. I'll strew Some flowers in her path as she goes past. 1ST GIRL. My father made her once a pair of shoes Of fine white satin, bound with golden clasps And crimson 'broidery. He says her feet Are delicate and small; as white and slim As are the Virgin Mary's in the shrine That stands within Tintagel's lofty church Above the great high altar. 4TH GIRL. Poor, poor soul! OLD WOMAN. Ay, let her see where those white feet of hers Have carried her! 3D GUARD (to a boy who has climbed upon the wall). Hey, thou! Come down! The wall And rocks are full an hundred fathoms high, So, if thou fall, thy howling will not help. THE BOY. I want to sit here when the lepers come!