Only A Clown

BARKILPHEDRO
Is this the chance I’ve waited so long for?
The old crone’s prediction
Is fact and not fiction
Wipe away this clam-smile forever
Reward my devotion with a promotion

Today I am only a clown
But soon I’ll be wearing a velvet gown

I can see a bold new horizon
The end of your line and the beginning of mine
Good King Clarence has destined this for me
A traitor’s estate delivered by fate

Today I am only a clown
But soon I’ll be wearing a velvet-

TRELAW
[Spoken] Wait! My son - imagine the Blade of Billboa in your hand. Feel that strength in your heart. That is the Trelaw spirit. No matter how bad things get, hope will always find a-

[Trelaw is hanged.]

GRINPAYNE
No! Father!

BARKILPHEDRO
[Sung]
Gown!

[Spoken] One down, two to go. Eeny meeny miny mo - this one, I think. Come along

MOTHER
Sir, if you have a shred of humanity in your heart, please let my son live

BARKILPHEDRO
Let him live? I have my orders

MOTHER
My Lord, look at him! Tiny, wretched, helpless. In another world, he could be you and you could be him

[Sung]
Don’t throw away your humanity
Since you’re a lord, see what pity might allow
Surely you once had a mother
Think what she’d say to you now

Please don’t take my little boy
Don’t take him away from me
Give me back my little boy
Give my baby back to me

BARKILPHEDRO
Since the Fates are smiling upon me
Maybe I’ll try a moment of kindness

At Kingdom’s End, the last ship is boarding
You’ll melt into mist
No longer exist
You will be free
And all down to me
That’s right, little boy, a moment of joy

Today I am only a clown
But soon I’ll be wearing my velvet gown

[Spoken] Stop! What am I thinking? No one must know of my kindness. If I am to grant you this lucky escape, you and your mother must leave the country and never come back. And you must never reveal who you really are, do you understand?

GRINPAYNE & MOTHER
Yes

BARKILPHEDRO
Spike! Let us cut a deal. A deal sealed in blood

MOTHER
No! Run, boy, run to the ship! Run!

GRINPAYNE
Mother!

MOTHER
No!

BARKILPHEDRO
I will sever you free from your past so no one will ever recognise you for the traitor you really are. Just one small slice and you will be living in a new world. One decorated with the peculiar comfort of pain because…

[Sung]
Laughter is the best medicine. Laughter is the best medicine