Courtiers   The news reminds me of the great connivers — legends of the stage. They swarm around the noble figure (bloated but alive) of his most excellent lordship, renowned for his cruel caprices — the Duke of This or Don de Eso, dispensing his last edicts, threats, and favors. They bow, they kiss his ring, they titter at his jokes, they cast their eyes around the throne room, sizing up their rivals. They vie to clean up his messes, they smile and scrape, they scramble like puppies for the royal teat — each tries to guess who will stumble, overstep. By act V, scene IV, they’re busy sharpening their knives.     © Michael Fleming Dummerston, Vermont January 2026