Chapter 17

TIME: _one spring day._ PLACE: _the farmer's vineyard._

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THE FARMER. HIS THREE SONS.

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[_The_ THREE SONS _dig lazily among the vines._]

FIRST SON. Oh, I am tired of digging! Come, brothers, let us sit and talk!

[_He throws down his spade and sits._]

SECOND SON. Father said we should dig at every vine. But I must say I am tired of it.

[_He throws down his spade and sits._]

THIRD SON. I was tired when we began.

[_He throws down his spade and sits. The_ FARMER _enters. His sons do not see him._]

FIRST SON. Now I should like to go to war and ride a great white horse.

SECOND SON. I should like to be a prince. I would do nothing all day long but wear my golden crown.

THIRD SON. I want to find a purse of gold. I would never work again, I tell you!

[_The farmer shakes his head sadly._]

FARMER. My sons, these vines have not been dug about. Come, do this work as I have told you.

(_The sons take up their spades, but unwillingly._)

Now listen: a pot of gold is hidden in this vineyard. It is buried deep beneath these vines.

SONS. A pot of gold!

FARMER. It is all I have to leave you. I think it best to-tell you now, for I cannot live much longer.

FIRST SON. Why do you hide the gold, my father?

FARMER. That you may dig for it.

SECOND SON. Why do you hide it in the ground?

FARMER. That you may dig for it.

THIRD SON. Why don't you tell us where it is?

FARMER. That you may dig for it.

[_He goes._]

SONS. A pot of gold!

FIRST SON. Now I shall go to war and ride a great white horse!

SECOND SON. Now I shall marry a princess and wear her golden crown!

THIRD SON. Now I shall find my purse of gold, and never work again!