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[Setting: Paris, 4th Arrondissement. Redundantly similar to 804 MAIN.]

[Enter Queen, Fool, Sir Brian]

Sir Brian

Methinks we ought convene our former Band

From their divers Encampments in this Land.

But I've not any Fancy where to start

Without a Knowledge of our Author's Art.

[Enter Sirs Josef and Obadiah,

Merlinda, Ladies Piper and Rachel.]

Such base Coincidence we shant permit!

Queen Angela

Were Author here he'd have a Cause for it.

But sith he hath passed on, our Work is full

Of Turns inconstant and implausible.

Sir Obadiah

O! Hail and well met, Sirs and good my Queen!

Lady Rachel

Hast thou descried the whereabouts of Jean?

Merlinda

We have besought her sith we all did split

She disappear'd after my Ship alit.

Pat O' Bedlam

Alas, she died in just a Fortnight's Time.

Corrupting French Boys was her only Crime.

She resteth now inside the House of God.

Queen Angela

Her burning Stench did rival that of Todd!

Lady Rachel

Now only Lady Sherri's left unfound...

Merlinda

Methinks she'll show up if we wait around.

[Time passes]

Sir Josef

A Month hath passed and still no Sign of her...

Pat O' Bedlam

Methinks that I espy some soft grey fur!

Sir Josef

The Swuck's been ripped apart by Frankish Hordes!

Mehopes the path of Fuzz may lead towards...

[Enter Lady Sherri]

Sir Brian

I am no more surprised to find you here.

Hast thou been in that Pond for o'er a year?

Sir Obadiah

'Tis not just Pond, but Fountain; behind you

Is the eccentric Fort of Pompidou.

Thou hast th'entire Time been in a Part

Of odd, arcane, kinetic Modern Art.

Lady Sherri

Methinks I graspeth not thine white Man's Ways.

Queen Angela

Methinks our Lady's lost in magic Haze.

Lady Sherri

Methinks the chilly Water caused a Flu?

Sir Obadiah

Perchance it's just a Hint of th'ole Ague.

Lady Sherri

I'm getting slumberous, dizzy, cold, and weak.

Sir Brian

Methinks before we end the Fool must speak.

Pat O' Bedlam

Tradition gets a Nod before we end?

A strange Conclusion to this, good my Friend.

We ver'ly hope, thou, Reader, didst enjoy

And find our poem worthy of King Hoy.

And tho' our Ending's rather premature,

Thou missest but more Pedantry and Gore.

There is a Box outside for thy Complaints,

But we must close ere Lady Sherri faints.

Thou mayst have noticed, in our Tale of Grail,

An Oversight; but 'tis not we who fail...

Lady Sherri

Shouldst thou not writest thy Work about Gaul?

Pat O' Bedlam

Forsooth, what is a Work "about" at all?

Aye, thou wilst find no Meanings within here;

The Meaning dwells within the Reader's Ear.

[Exeunt all]


[title page] [preface] [dramatis personae] [book1.html] [book2.html] [book3.html]

All text Copyright (C) 2000 by Patrick Littell

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