King Skule.
From the oldest Pretender in the world?
The Monk.
From the first Earl, who rose against the greatest kingdom, and himself founded a kingdom that shall endure beyond doomsday.
King Skule.
[Shrieks.] Bishop Nicholas!
The Monk.
[Rising.] Do you know me now? We were friends of yore,
and 'tis you that have brought me back;
once the self-same galley our fortunes bore,
and we sailed on the self-same tack.
At our parting I quailed, in the gloom and the blast;
for a hawk in his talons had gripped my soul fast;
I besought them to chant and to ply the bell,
and I bought me masses and prayers as well,—
they read fourteen, though I'd paid but for seven;
yet they brought me no nearer the gates of heaven.
King Skule.
And you come from down yonder?
The Monk.
Yes, from the kingdom down yonder I'm faring;
the kingdom men always so much miscall.
