No More Learning

THE FIRST. What? A mass for the dead sung for a living
Man? They'll suffer for it, the godless wretches!

A THIRD. Hist! A sound. Is it not the tsar?

A FOURTH. No, it is the idiot.

(An idiot enters, in an iron cap, hung round with
chains, surrounded by boys. )

THE BOYS. Nick, Nick, iron nightcap! T-r-r-r-r--

OLD WOMAN. Let him be, you young devils.
Innocent one,
pray thou for me a sinner.

IDIOT. Give, give, give a penny.

OLD WOMAN. There is a penny for thee; remember me in
thy prayers.

IDIOT. (Seats himself on the ground and sings:)

The moon sails on,
The kitten cries,
Nick, arise,
Pray to God.

(The boys surround him again. )

ONE OF THEM. How do you do, Nick? Why don't you
take off your cap?

(Raps him on the iron cap. )

How it rings!

IDIOT. But I have got a penny.

BOYS.