Editing The Missing Arm (section)

=== Scene 3 ===


Place: a building in the village. The KING is seated on a decorated chair. At his sides are soldiers. Most of the village is gathered before him. Among the villagers are OLD WILLIAM, MR. REET, MRS. REET, and MILDRED. ERVYNE sits next to them, and it is clear that the village is watching him with admiration and pride. A HERALD comes onto a raised platform.					

MILDRED. (Aside to ERVYNE.) Oh husband, I feel a little sorry for Old William. ERVYNE. (Aside to MILDRED.) Why?					

MILDRED. (Aside to ERVYNE.) Well, you see, everyone expected him to be honored by the king until you fought the thieves. Old William’s been so unhappy for the past few weeks. Poor man.				

ERVYNE. (Shrugs.) Poor man indeed.					

HERALD. Citizens, it is always the king’s joy to speak to his beloved people when he can. And today, he honors your village with a visit. Let us welcome, citizens, our excellent King! Thank you!					

(Applause. The KING mounts the platform.)					

KING. Good people, we are seeing you for the first time, but we have always had you in our mind. (More applause. The King smiles.) As in other villages, we are accustomed to giving out rewards for bravery. Acts of courage will not go unrewarded in our kingdom. Therefore, when we arrived in this village, we took care to learn who was the bravest and noblest here. (More applause.) And we have found many examples of courage, but one stood out most. We heard that thieves were planning to rob us, but one young man fought them off—at least half a dozen— with his bare hands. He lost an arm for his action, but he shall gain much more than that! Will the young man called Ervyne show himself now? (Applause. All the villagers except OLD WILLIAM rise to their feet. ERVYNE mounts the platform, then kneels. The KING takes his hand.) You have saved our life, Ervyne. And now we will honor you greatly. Bow your head. (There is a hush in the room. Everyone remains standing.) Ervyne, we grant you the title Viscount Ellingham, and the lands of this county including the forest.					

(ERVYNE looks shocked. There is wild applause from the crowd.)					

ERVYNE. Your Majesty, I...I am honored.					

KING. Rise, Lord Ellingham. (More briskly.) The old castle of the man who once owned that title is vacant, that man long dead. Our guards will lead you there.				

(ERVYNE rises. Suddenly there is a shriek from the crowd. OLD WILLIAM bursts forward, and runs up to the KING in rage.)					

OLD WILLIAM. Your Majesty, there’s something strange happening! I was supposed to get that honor, Your Majesty. I—not he!					

KING. What is this?					

OLD WILLIAM. Ervyne! I don’t believe a word he’s saying about those thieves. He’s a liar— that boy is lying! It’s a convenient lie, isn’t it, Ervyne? It means you get glory, and honor—even a wife, now money and lands and a title! You always had ambition. Ervyne!			

KING. How dare you insult Lord Ellingham?					

OLD WILLIAM. Lord Ellingham—it’s young Ervyne, the woodcutter! He’s lying, I tell you! Anyone can make this sort of tale up! And as for his injury, for all we know maybe he hurt himself with an axe! I don’t believe this story at all!					

ERVYNE. (Noticeably pale.) Your Majesty, this man speaks lies.					

KING. Then throw him in prison.					

ERVYNE. (Watches the king in shock.) What?					

KING. You’re a viscount now. Throw this liar in prison.				

ERVYNE. (Trembles, and glances at MILDRED.) I—I order you guards to take him—to—to— prison...


(Two soldiers seize OLD WILLIAM, who is still screaming with anger, and drag him offstage.)


KING. We are sorry that such a man came to our party. Yet he will learn not to slander after some time in prison. It’ll be good for him.					

ERVYNE. Yes, Your Majesty.					

KING. And now, we shall leave. Villagers, here is Lord Ellingham. Goodbye, and may you have a good leader who rules with truth and wisdom!					

(He exits with his retinue. The villagers begin to mill around and talk)

ERVYNE. (Aside.) Truth—no. Wisdom—I hope so. I have gone too far. I did not expect to become this great—but what am I to do...					

MILDRED. (Approaches.) Ervyne, don’t let yourself be bothered by Old William. He’s just been very angry. He’ll be all right, won’t he?					

ERVYNE. I don’t know.					

MILDRED. Well, what he said doesn’t change the truth about my Ervyne, does it?			

ERVYNE. You see everything so simply, my dear.					

MILDRED. Well, I know you wouldn’t lie, Ervyne. Old William’s just jealous. No one believes him. I don’t, anyway.


ERVYNE. Please, Mildred— MILDRED. What?					

ERVYNE. Nothing, just...let’s discuss something else, like our castle or our lands. I don’t want to talk about Old William anymore.


(Curtain.)