GRANDFATHER. We are the Jolly Band of Have-Nothings.
AVANTI. The introduction was superfluous. But you will take yourselves away a little further and leave us in peace.
GRANDFATHER. We never suffer from a want of space: we can afford to give you as wide a berth as you like. What little suffices for us is never the bone of contention between any rival claimants. Is not that so, my little friends? [_They sing._]
_We have nothing, indeed we have nothing at all! We sing merrily fol de rol de rol! Some build high walls of their houses On the bog of the sands of gold. We stand before them and sing Fol de rol de rol. Pickpockets hover about us And honour us with covetous glances. We shake our empty pockets and sing Fol de rol de rol. When death, the old hag, steals to our doors We snap our fingers at her face, And we sing in a chorus with gay flourishes Fol de rol de rol. _
KANCHI. Look over there, Koshala, who are those coming this way? A pantomime? Somebody is out masquerading as a King.
KOSHALA. The King of this place may tolerate all this tomfoolery, but we won’t.
KANCHI. What country does your King come from?
First Soldier. He is the King of this country. He is going to command the festivities. [_They go out._]
KOSHALA. What! The King of this country come out for the festivities!
AVANTI. Indeed! We shall then have to return with a sight of him only—leaving the delectable Queen unseen.
KANCHI. Do you really think that fellow spoke the truth? Anybody can pass himself off as the King of this kingless country. Can you not see that the man looks like a dressed-up King—much too over-dressed?
AVANTI. But he looks handsome—his appearance is not without a certain pleasing attractiveness.
KANCHI. He may be pleasing to your eye, but if you look at him closely enough there can be no mistaking him . You will see how I expose him before you all.
“KING”. Welcome, princes, to our kingdom! I trust your reception has been properly looked after by my officials?
KINGs. [_with feigned courtesy_] Oh yes—nothing was lacking in the reception.
KANCHI. If there was any shortcoming at all, it has been made up by the honour of our sight of your Majesty.
“KING”. We do not show ourselves to the general public, but your great devotion and loyalty to us has made it a pleasure for us not to deny ourselves to you.