No, no, this can be no publick Road that's certain: I am lost, quite lost indeed. Of what Advantage is it now to be a King? Night shews me no Respect: I cannot see better, nor walk so well as another Man. What is a King? Is he not wiser than another Man? Not without his Counsellors I plainly find. Is he not more powerful? I oft have been told so, indeed, but what now can my Power command? Is he not greater and more magnificent? When seated on his Throne, and surrounded with Nobles and Flatterers, perhaps he may think so, but when lost in a Wood, alas! what is he but a common Man? His Wisdom knows not which is North and which is South; his Power a Beggar's Dog would bark at; and his Greatness the Beggar would not bow to. And yet how oft are we puff'd up with these false Attributes? Well, in losing the Monarch, I have found the Man. [_The Report of a Gun is heard._ Hark! Some Villain sure is near! What were it best to do? Will my Majesty protect me? No. Throw Majesty aside then, and let Manhood do it. _Enter the_ MILLER. _Mil._ I believe I hear the Rogue. Who's there? _King._ No Rogue, I assure you. _Mil._ Little better, Friend, I believe. Who fir'd that Gun? _King._ Not I, indeed. _Mil._ You lie, I believe. _King._ Lie! lie! How strange it seems to me to be talk'd to in this Stile. [_Aside._] Upon my Word I don't. _Mil._ Come, come, Sirrah, confess; you have shot one of the King's Deer, have not you? _King._ No indeed, I owe the King more Respect. I heard a Gun go off, indeed, and was afraid some Robbers might have been near. _Mil._ I am not bound to believe this, Friend. Pray who are you? What's your Name? _King._ Name! _Mil._ Name! yes Name. Why you have a Name, have not you? Where do you come from? What is your Business here? _King._ These are Questions I have not been us'd to, honest Man. _Mil._ May be so; but they are Questions no honest Man would be afraid to answer, I think: So if you can give no better Account of your self, I shall make bold to take you along with me, if you please. _King._ With you! What Authority have you to---- _Mil._ The King's Authority, if I must give you an Account, Sir. I am _John Cockle_, the Miller of _Mansfield_, one of his Majesty's Keepers in this Forest of _Sherwood_; and I will let no suspected Fellow pass this Way that cannot give a better Account of himself than you have done, I promise you. _King._ I must submit to my own Authority. [_Aside._] Very well, Sir, I am glad to hear the King has so good an Officer: And since I find you have his Authority, I will give you a better Account of myself, if you will do me the Favour to hear it. _Mil._ It's more than you deserve, I believe; but let's hear what you can say for yourself.