"Tearful Are the Skies" — Excerpt

"INTERIOR OF CASTLE'S HALL — NIGHT The fat DUKE paces and frets, looking with concern toward a window. A crowd JEERS outside. FOOL sits upon the floor and watches DUKE with concern. FOOL opens his mouth to speak consoling words but then recoils when the DUKE looks at the FOOL irritably. Duke: Rage, hatred, wrath, and spite they shout below What villain must I be to earn such ire? Fool: Your Grace, protests this humble fool, I swear. The folk, they praise your acts w'out lev'ty For's not your deeds that draw to eyes their tears. Nay, you they honor with bright confetti. Why ask, your Grace, whose policies they loathe? One name, oh Duke, that King- Duke: -Aha! Send word To my finest knight, with blade like blazing Justice, so burning with red righteousness! Fool: Your Grace, if one so humble might protest? Duke: Speak, Fool. Fool: That warrior man you deem your best? Has all the noble heart of drunken wolves Who chase the shepherd's flock while licking lips And claim they drool for want of the sheep's safety. Duke: Fool, of what know you of laws, lands, and ships? Our king's word has this knight of his esteem, And yet now here you judge a soldier's worth? DUKE raises a hand to strike the FOOL. Fool: No hon'r claims he when innocent heads roll And your knight hears anguish yet laughs with mirth. Duke: No crime is humor. Fool: Aye, no crime ‘cept when Sir knight snorts mead at jokes of your Grace's girth Duke: Forsooth! Fetch me my blade and cuirass, Fool And serve as squire to my thirsty vengeance! DUKE angrily grabs his sword to find the KNIGHT as the FOOL chases after him with a breastplate in hand."