_King-Hunger_ is at the trial of the _Starving_. He is the most powerful king on earth: he is at home everywhere, but nowhere more so than at the trial of the _Starving_. On high chairs sit the judges, in all their bloated importance. The courtroom is filled with curiosity seekers, idle ladies dressed as if for a ball; college professors and students looking for object lessons in criminal depravity; rich young girls are there, to satisfy a perverted craving for excitement. The first starveling is brought in muzzled. _King-Hunger._ What is your offense, starveling? _Old Man._ I stole a five-pound loaf, but it was wrested from me. I had only time to bite a small piece of it. Forgive me, I will never again-- He is condemned in the name of the _Law_ and _King-Hunger_, the most powerful king on earth. Another starveling is brought before the bar of justice. It is a woman, young and beautiful, but pale and sad. She is charged with killing her child. _Young Woman._ One night my baby and I crossed the long bridge over the river. And since I had long before decided, so then approaching the middle, where the river is deep and swift, I said: "Look, baby dear, how the water is a-roaring below." She said, "I can't reach, mamma, the railing is so high." I said, "Come, let me lift you, baby dear." And when she was gazing down into the black deep, I threw her over. That's all. The _Law_ and _King-Hunger_ condemn the woman to "blackest hell," there to be "tormented and burned in everlasting, slackless fires." The heavy responsibility of meting out justice has fatigued the judges. The excitement of the trial has sharpened the appetite of the spectators. _King-Hunger_, at home with all people, proposes that the court adjourn for luncheon. The scene in the restaurant represents Hunger devouring like a wild beast the produce of toil, ravenous, famished, the victim of his own gluttonous greed. The monster fed, his hunger and thirst appeased, he now returns to sit in self-satisfied judgment over the _Starving_. The judges are more bloated than before, the ladies more eager to bask in the misery of their fellows. The college professors and students, mentally heavy with food, are still anxious to add data to the study of human criminality. A lean boy is brought in, muzzled; he is followed by a ragged woman. _Woman._ Have mercy! He stole an apple for me, your Honor. I was sick, thought he. "Let me bring her a little apple." Pity him! Tell them that you won't any more. Well! Speak! _Starveling._ I won't any more. _Woman._ I've already punished him myself. Pity his youth, cut not at the root his bright little days! _Voices._ Indeed, pity one and then the next. Cut the evil at its roots. ---- One needs courage to be ruthless. ---- It is better for them. ---- Now he is only a boy, but when he grows up-- _King-Hunger._ Starveling, you are condemned.