Oh, dear!" and I burst into a wild fit of laughing, for the wine had
warm'd me up to play the comedy out. "To hear thee sing

"'With a fa--la--tweedle--tweedle!'

and--Oh, nunky, that medlar on thy face is so funny!"

"In Heaven's name, stop!" broke in the Prince Maurice. "Am I mad, or
only drunk? Rupert, if you love me, say I am no worse than drunk."

"Lord knows," answer'd his brother. "I for one was never this way
before."

"Indeed, your Highnesses be only drunk," said I, "and able at that
to sign the order that I shall ask you for."

"An order!"

"To pass the city gates to-night."

"Oh, stop him somebody," groan'd Prince Rupert: "my head is
whirling."

"With your leave," I explain'd, pouring out another glassful: "tis
the simplest matter, and one that a child could understand. You see,
this young man was kill'd, and they charg'd me with it; so away I
ran, and the Watch after me; and therefore I wish to pass the city
gates. And as I may have far to travel, and gave my last groat to a
thief for hoisting me over Master Carter's wall--"