KING ARTHUR (_much annoyed, and seeing a way of retreat, in a whisper to Sir Shinytop_): Pass the word it's only a ramp against Saundontius. (_The murmur grows to one of general accord and cry of "Pool 'em."_) SIR SAUNDONTIUS (_an excellent thought-reader, aside to Sir Sulph. Blears_): Pass the word the ramp is only an excuse of King A. to get his point. Ramp or no ramp, the vote will count. KING ARTHUR (_not a good thought-reader, and believing all well_): Gentlemen, the vote! Who's for pooling them? (_Votes for, six, including Sir Saundontius (who has counted); votes against, eight._) * * * * * (7) PARCEL DAY (_Accele-rato, con moto, mysterioso_) There's a murmur in the air--in the air-- There are ninety parcels there Full of jams, anchovies rare For the prisoners de guerre-- Bless their souls. Hark! I hear him read the list--read the list-- Six for you--I do insist-- One for me is rather triste-- Though size counts too I wist-- Bless our souls. At the room we breathless wait--breathless wait-- You must not risk being late, It might change your parcel's fate, So on our boldness do not prate. Bless our souls. All is o'er, they have them fast--have them fast-- There's some jam that will not last, Some tongue for a repast-- Quenchers, shirts, and tea! avast! Bless _their_ souls. * * * * * (8) LETTERS COME (_Adagio_) Letters come. Letters go. Winter's gone. Gone the snow. Gone the footer and toboggan, Gone our erstwhile trick of hoggin, And the price prevents our groggin, Life is so. Rumours come. Rumours go. What's the truth?--we don't know. In Kastamuni our hearts are breaking And we fear the rude awaking When from her tracks we'll be making, Love is so. * * * * * (9) "Die Nacht"--an inversion of "Der Tag," a one-act play of 1914. DIE NACHT (_A New Version of "Der Tag," all about Billy Primus, June, 1917._) SCENE I (AND ONLY). (_Large room used as smoker-library with tall windows overlooking the waters of Wandsee. The Kaiser in the uniform of the Death's Head Hussars, seated behind a table-desk. A shaded lamp throws the sharp silhouette of his features upon the wall, leaving him mostly in shadow and the rest of the room in the light. He presses a bell. Enters_ ZIMMERMAN, _Foreign Minister_.) KAISER (_motioning Z. to be seated_): Before Talaat arrives let me know briefly how the matter stands. ZIM.: Turkey desires peace at once, but gives the last possible date as three months. An immediate loan of 10,000,000 liras on mutual security is demanded. KAISER: Is Enver in with this, or is it a feeler only?