Children's Classics in Dramatic Form Part 21

HODGE. He sent us word he would visit Gotham! Ha, ha!

PODGE. Ha, ha!

NODGE. Ha, ha!

SCRODGE. He would hang us if he knew we cut the trees!

HODGE. And let them fall across the road.

PODGE. He will not know. Not a Gotham man would tell him!

NODGE. Nor a Gotham woman!

SCRODGE. Nor a Gotham child!

HODGE. They have not forgotten what his last visit brought upon them.

PODGE. Everything he saw and liked, he took.

NODGE. And would not pay for it!

SCRODGE. His servants and his soldiers ate the town up.

HODGE. And would not pay for it!

PODGE (_looking off_). He is coming now! He is on the hill!

SCRODGE. He has his soldiers with him!

NODGE. He must not see us! Come!

[_They run off. Enter the_ KING _and_ SOLDIERS.]

KING. To think that I--a king--should have to walk!

FIRST SOLDIER. Shall I bring the horses up, your Majesty?

KING. Of what use? Look how the road from here is filled with trees!

SECOND SOLDIER. Just as it was back there!

KING. I know! It was done to keep me out of Gotham! I know!

(_To Third Soldier._)

Here, you!

THIRD SOLDIER (_saluting_). Yes, your Majesty.

KING. Get to Gotham, if you have to crawl.

THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty.

KING. Tell these men of Gotham I shall come again.

THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty.

KING. And when I do--and when I do--[_He stops._]

THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty?

KING. And when I do, I'll have their noses!

THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty.

KING. I'll have the Gotham nose of every Gotham man cut off his Gotham face!

THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty.

KING. Go, now, and tell them that!

THIRD SOLDIER (_saluting)._ Yes, your Majesty.

[_He goes._]

KING. We will now return the way we came. (_He shakes his finger toward Gotham_,)

I'll have your noses, that I will!

[_He goes with his soldiers._]

SCENE II

TIME: _one month later._ PLACE: _a field near Gotham._

HODGE.

PODGE.

NODGE.

SCRODGE.

KING.

SOLDIERS.

OLD MEN OF GOTHAM.

YOUNG MEN OF GOTHAM.

PETER AND OTHER GOTHAM BOYS.

POLLIE AND OTHER GOTHAM GIRLS.