the Man in the Road

(A merchant and his party are being blocked access of a road leading to a town and business)


Merchant Good sir! Kindly withdraw and let us pass.

Man in the Road I will not withdraw and neither shall ye pass!

Merchant If ye be bandit I must warn thee that the sheriff is paused in the road just behind us.

Man in the Road I am not bandit and neither do I fear the sheriff.

Merchant If ye be Lord or deputy upon King's errand, or if ye be in need of help we have men here!

Man in the Road I am in no need of help nor authority to stand my ground!

Merchant What is the calamity that causes the King's subject to come fourth and barricade the town's gate?

Man in the Road I have no cause that would seem right in thine eyes and their is no calamity save this road!

Merchant Good Sir! We have license to freely travel the King's highway! What device causes your obstinace?

Man in the Road My obstinance is my strength. Your strength lies paused in the road behind you.

Merchant For the last time! By what means do you obstruct our business and will you withdraw!

Man in the Road My very person obstructs your business! I will not withdraw and should ye advance I will smite thee!

Merchant Then ye are a lawless heathen and as you can plainly see the Sheriff now approaches. It is he that shall smite thee. The Law shall remove thee!

(The Sheriff arrives and positions himself and deputy between the merchant and the man in the road)


Sheriff (to merchant) Good Sir! You must withdraw to other business!

Merchant Sir! You jest and we have lost our humor over this long and difficult highway

Sheriff Sir if you do not withdraw I shall charge my deputy to make your arrest!

Merchant Are you not bound to enforce the King's will and uphold the law?

Sheriff That is my charge and mine own will!

Merchant Then surely heretics have vandalized the road sign and we in innocence have strayed upon a lawless land! Is this not the King's highway? Is that not the King's loyal township?

Sheriff They are indeed. And the King's sheriff has ordered thee. DO NOT PROVOKE HIM!

Merchant Calamity has now befallen us. Please! What is the cause of our suffering?

Sheriff Peace within my jurisdiction are the priority of my office. The King has ordered me license to use what means I deem expedient to that end. NOW! For the last time the King orders you to find business elsewhere!

Merchant And as we are the King's loyal subjects we shall obey.