'Imperial Majesty,' quoth Obligato, his knees upon the rushes, 'take my life but send me not forth into darkness where I shall see my Queen no more.

By the light of my Queen's eyes have I walked, and pains of hell are my Queen's displeasure.' 'Methinks thy humbleness is tardy,' quoth Delicio.

'No cock shall crow by my nest,' said she.

'And, by the mantle of Elijah, I am out with sour faces and men of phlegm and rheum.

I will be gay once more.