The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iv Part 32

HINZE (_takes it out of his knapsack_).

Here, great monarch!

KING.

Here--just hold the sceptre a moment, prince. (_He feels the rabbit._) Fat! nice and fat! From the Count of ----

HINZE.

Carabas.

KING.

Indeed, he must be an excellent man. I must become better acquainted with him. Who is the man? Which of you knows him? Why does he keep himself concealed? If such heads as that are allowed to remain idle, what will become of our throne! I would cry for joy. _Sends me a rabbit!_ Groom, give it to the cook directly.

[_Groom takes it. Exit._]

NATHAN.

My king, I beg most humbly to make my departure.

KING.

Why, indeed! I had almost forgotten that in my joy! Farewell, prince, yes, you must make room for other suitors; it cannot be otherwise. Adieu! I wish you had a highroad all the way home.

[_Prince kisses his hand. Exit._]

KING (_shouting_).

People! Let my historian come!

[_The historian appears._]

KING.

Here, friend, come, here's some material for our history of the world. You have your book with you, of course!

HISTORIAN.

Yes, my king.

KING.

Now enter immediately, that on such and such a day (whatever date we happen to have today) the Count of Carabas sent me a present of a most delicious rabbit.

[HISTORIAN _seats himself and writes._]

KING.

Do not forget, _Anno currentis_. I must think of everything, otherwise it's always sure to be done wrong. (_Blast of a trumpet is heard._) Ah, dinner is ready--come, my daughter, do not weep; if it isn't one prince, it will be another. Hunter, we thank you for your trouble. Will you accompany us to the dining-room?

(_They go_, HINZE _follows_.)

LEUTNER.

Pretty soon I shall not be able to stand it any longer; why, what has happened to the father now, who was so tender to his daughter at first and touched us all so?

FISCHER.

The only thing that vexes me is that not a person in the play wonders at the cat; the king and all act as though it had to be so.

SCHLOSS.

My head is all dizzy with this queer stuff.

_Royal dining-room_

_Large table set. Sound of drums and trumpets. Enter the_ KING, _the_ PRINCESS, LEANDER, HINZE, _several distinguished guests and_ JACKPUDDING, _Servants, waiting at the table._

KING.

Let us sit down, otherwise the soup will get cold! Has the hunter been taken care of?

SERVANT.

Yes, your majesty, he will eat at the little table here with the court fool.

JACKPUDDING (_to_ HINZE).

Let us sit down, otherwise the soup will get cold.

HINZE (_sits down_).

With whom have I the honor of dining?

JACKPUD.

A man is what he is, Sir Hunter; we cannot all do the same thing. I am a poor, exiled fugitive, a man who was once, a long time ago, witty, but who has now become stupid and re-entered service in a foreign land where he is again considered witty for a while.

HINZE.

From what country do you come?

JACKPUD.

Unfortunately, only Germany. My countrymen became so wise about a certain time that they finally forbade all jokes on pain of punishment; wherever I was seen, I was called by unbearable nicknames, such as: Absurd, indecent, bizarre--whoever laughed at me was persecuted like myself, and so I was compelled to go into exile.

HINZE.