eared of all but vessels of
fruit, cocoa-nuts, etc. Queen and Taig sitting
in front, Nurse and Dall Glic standing in background_.

_Queen_: Now, King, the dinner being at an end,
and the music, we have time and quiet to be
talking.

_Taig_: It is with the King's daughter I am come
to talk.

_Queen_: Go, Dall Glic, call the Princess. She
will be here on the minute, but it is best for you
to tell me out if it is to ask her in marriage you
are come.

_Taig_: It is so, where I was after being told
she would be given as a wife to the first man that
would come into the house.

_Queen_: And who in the world wide gave that
out?

_Taig_: It was the Gateman said it to a hawker
bringing lobsters from the strand, and that got no
leave to cross the threshold by reason of the oath
given out by the King. The half of the kingdom
she will get, they were telling me, and the king
living, and the whole of it after he will be dead.

_Nurse_: There did another come in before you.
Let me tell you that much!

_Taig_: There did not. The lobster man that
set a watch upon the door.

_Queen_: A great honour you did us coming
asking for her, and you being King of Sorcha!

_Taig_: Look at my ring and my crown. They
will bear witness that I am. And my kind coat of
cotton and my golden shirt! And under that
again there's a stiff pocket. _(Slaps it.)_ Is there
e'er a looking-glass in any place? _(Gets up.)_

_Dall Glic_: There is the shining silver basin of
the swans in the garden without.

_Taig_: That will do. I would wish to look
tasty when I come looking for a lady of a wife.
_(He and Dall Glic go outside window but in sight.)_

_(Princess comes in very proud and sad.)_

_Queen_: You should be proud this day, Nuala,
and so grand a man coming asking you in marriage
as the King of Sorcha.

_Nurse_: Grand, indeed! As grand as hands and
pins can make him.

_Princess_: Are you not satisfied to have urged
me to one man and promised me to another since
sunrise?

_Queen_: What way coul