The Drunken Feathers

Scene xxxii

Outside KING GEORGE III's bedchamber. Various shouts from KING GEORGE III come from his bedchamber. Several attendants run in and out of it. The PRINCE OF WALES, hearing all the commotion, approaches GENERAL HARCOURT.

PRINCE OF WALES: General Harcourt! What is happening?

GENERAL HARCOURT: His Majesty is refusing to leave; every time we open the bed-curtains, he swears at us and closes them again. Could I possibly ask Your Royal Highness to intervene? Perhaps, as you have now taken control over Windsor, he might listen to your word.

PRINCE OF WALES: [Reluctant] Um, well, I certainly would, but... [Sees COLONEL GREVILLE down the hallway] Colonel Greville! Colonel Greville, could you assist me in something?

COLONEL GREVILLE: Is it about the King?

PRINCE OF WALES: Yes, His Majesty is resisting his servants and refusing to ready himself for his journey to Kew. I want you to intervene and insist upon his taking leave of Windsor.

COLONEL GREVILLE: [Acquiesces] Certainly, Your Royal Highness.

COLONEL GREVILLE bows and hesitantly steps into KING GEORGE III's bedchamber. Several attendants stand at the latter's bedside, the curtains of which are closed.

COLONEL GREVILLE: [Cautiously opens the bed-curtains] Your Majesty-

KING GEORGE III: Push off, Greville! [Closes the curtains]

COLONEL GREVILLE: [Opens the curtains again] Your Majesty, you must prepare yourself for your journey to Kew-

KING GEORGE III: No! I will not leave. [Closes the curtains]

COLONEL GREVILLE: [Opens the curtains, growing irritated] It is by order of the Prince of Wales that you leave Windsor today.

KING GEORGE III: The Prince of Wales?

COLONEL GREVILLE: Yes, and if you-

KING GEORGE III closes the curtains again. COLONEL GREVILLE emits a sigh of annoyance and leaves the bedchamber. Outside of it, he finds DR. WARREN passing by.

COLONEL GREVILLE: Dr. Warren-

DR. WARREN: Ah, Colonel Greville-

COLONEL GREVILLE: Could you implore the King to leave his bed? I tried, but failed in my endeavors.

DR. WARREN: [Slightly intimidated] Well, uh, I can certainly try, but-

COLONEL GREVILLE nods and hastily exits. DR. WARREN sighs and enters KING GEORGE III's bedchamber. He cautiously opens the bed-curtains.

DR. WARREN: Your Majesty?

KING GEORGE III: [Looking at DR. WARREN] Dr. Warren!

DR. WARREN: [Smiling faintly] Yes, I am Dr. Warren. Could I ask Your Majesty to-

KING GEORGE III slowly begins to leave his bed. DR. WARREN is temporarily relieved, as he thinks KING GEORGE III is willing to leave Windsor. He begins to step backward toward the door.

DR. WARREN: Ah, yes, Your Majesty. Good, good! Yes, come right this way. The carriage is just downstairs. I had a feeling you would be quite agreeable in my company.

Just as DR. WARREN turns around, KING GEORGE III attempts to assault him, but is prevented from doing so by some of his attendants. DR. WARREN whirls back around to see him.

KING GEORGE III: Release me, you wicked, demon offspring, or I'll see to it that you meet your end at the gallows!

DR. WARREN: [Sternly] If Your Majesty does not comply with the Prince of Wales' orders, you shall be taken to your carriage by force.

KING GEORGE III relaxes, so his attendants relax their grip on him.

KING GEORGE III: [Reluctantly] Oh, alright.

His attendants, followed by DR. WARREN, begin to escort him out. They leave his bedchamber, and walk down the hallway.

KING GEORGE III: I want to see the Queen and Princesses every day at Kew; if I go so much as a day without seeing them, I will be very upset indeed. Do you hear? And I will not be shaved. I refuse to be shaved or bathed. The water is always too hot or too cold. And I-

KING GEORGE III passes by the PRINCE OF WALES, and attempts to throw himself at him desperately.

KING GEORGE III: George! Oh, my son! Pray, do not send me away to die!

The PRINCE OF WALES, still thinking about the time KING GEORGE III assaulted him, steps back with caution and disgust. KING GEORGE III's attendants hold him in place. KING GEORGE III falls upon his knees and grabs onto the PRINCE OF WALES' wrist in desperation.

PRINCE OF WALES: I would not send Your Majesty to Kew if it were not beneficial for your health.

KING GEORGE III: Lies, all of it! I could not do any better there than here, at home with my family. You mean to dispose of me. Why have you forsaken me in this way? Why would you abandon your poor, old father?

PRINCE OF WALES: I have been nothing but good and patient-

KING GEORGE III: [Loudly] You have left me for dead!

PRINCE OF WALES: [Quietly and gravely] If Your Majesty chooses to interpret what has passed in this way, that is your own affair, and the consequences of doing so will be imputed only to your own determination.

KING GEORGE III stares at the PRINCE OF WALES with horror and dismay. The PRINCE OF WALES unmercifully yanks his wrist from his father's grasp.

PRINCE OF WALES: [Coldly, to the attendants] Take him away.

The attendants drag the dumbfounded and still protesting KING GEORGE III down the hall and out of sight. The PRINCE OF WALES turns around and sees QUEEN CHARLOTTE. She glares at him a moment before exiting. Cut to ACT II, SCENE XXXIII.