The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iv Part 44

Why, this is the harvest, Mam'selle Queen--the corn.

KING.

Corn? What do you use that for, pray?

KUNZ (_laughing_).

Bread is baked from that.

KING.

Pray, daughter, for heaven's sake, bread is baked of it! Who would ever think of such tricks! Nature is something marvelous, after all.

Here, good friend, get a drink, it is warm today. (_He steps in again with the_ PRINCESS; _the carriage drives away._)

KUNZ.

If he wasn't a king, you'd almost think he was stupid. Doesn't know what corn is! Well, you learn new things every day, of course. Here he has given me a s.h.i.+ning piece of gold and I'll fetch myself a can of good beer at once. [_Exit._]

_Another part of the country, beside a river_

GOTTLIEB.

Now here I've been standing two hours already, waiting for my friend, Hinze. And he's not coming yet. There he is! But how he's running--he seems all out of breath.

[HINZE _comes running._]

HINZE.

Well, friend Gottlieb, take off your clothes quickly?

GOTTLIEB.

My clothes?

HINZE.

And then jump into the water here--

GOTTLIEB.

Into the water?

HINZE.

And then I will throw the clothing into the bush--

GOTTLIEB.

Into the bush?

HINZE.

And then you are provided for!

GOTTLIEB.

I agree with you; if I am drowned and my clothes gone, I am well enough provided for.

HINZE.

There is no time for joking--

GOTTLIEB.

I am not joking at all. Is that what I had to wait here for?

HINZE.

Undress!

GOTTLIEB.

Well, I'll do anything to please you.

HINZE.

Come, you are only to take a little bath. (_Exit with_ GOTTLIEB. _Then he comes back with the clothing which he throws into a bush._) Help!

Help! Help!

[_The carriage. The_ KING _looks out of the coach door._]

KING.

What is it, Hunter? Why do you shout so?

HINZE.

Help, your majesty, the Count of Carabas is drowned!

KING.

Drowned!

PRINCESS (_in the carriage_).

Carabas!

KING.