Page:The American Boy's Handy Book edition 1.djvu/370
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Puss-in-Boots.
337
Act II. Scene I.
Scene: King's Palace. King discovered standing behind a throne. Princess and attendants standing around. A loud "meow!" heard without. King and Court start. Enter Puss, with Rabbit in his paws.
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The King: "Your master has a happy way of sending gifts."
Puss: Meow! My great liege, may your Majesty please
To smile on a slave who thus here, on his knees,
A humble offering
From Carabas doth bring.
And, Sire, my master further bade me say,
If it please his gracious King, he will gladly send each day
The choicest game that in his coverts he can find;
And your kind acceptance of it still closelier will bind
A hand and a heart as loyal and true
As e'er swore allegiance, O King, unto you!
King: Your master has a happy way
Of sending gifts. Thus to him say,
That we accept his offer kind,
And some good day, perhaps, may find
A way to thank him which will prove
We value most our subjects' love.
Carabas, is your master's name?
What rank or title doth he claim?
Shall we among the high or low
Look for your lord, who loves us so?
Puss: A marquis is my master, Sire;
In wealth and honor none are higher.
To smile on a slave who thus here, on his knees,
A humble offering
From Carabas doth bring.
And, Sire, my master further bade me say,
If it please his gracious King, he will gladly send each day
The choicest game that in his coverts he can find;
And your kind acceptance of it still closelier will bind
A hand and a heart as loyal and true
As e'er swore allegiance, O King, unto you!
King: Your master has a happy way
Of sending gifts. Thus to him say,
That we accept his offer kind,
And some good day, perhaps, may find
A way to thank him which will prove
We value most our subjects' love.
Carabas, is your master's name?
What rank or title doth he claim?
Shall we among the high or low
Look for your lord, who loves us so?
Puss: A marquis is my master, Sire;
In wealth and honor none are higher.