Prospero: Think that there was a time we had a veranda, Miranda?
We had. It was truly a magnificent sight.
It started to the left of the palace
and went all the way around;
there were gardens of substantial beauty;
and a lake – mustn’t forget the lake –
and upon the lake…
the ducks!
Oh, those ducks!
What a noise;
though the geese were noisier still;
we stood and watched their antics;
whilst somebody else settled the bill.
That was a joke, Miranda.
At which you we’re supposéd to laugh…
(there is a short pause)
I do have another joke, Miranda…
It involves a short-necked giraffe.
No? Well, maybe another time.
(there is another short pause)
Did I mention that we had a veranda, Mirabelle?
Graeme Sandford 