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The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 04

Год написания книги
2018
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MÜLLER

He's more courteous than I thought.

SCHLOSS

He has respect for the public, after all.

PLAYWR

I am ashamed to present to such illustrious judges the modest inspiration of my Muse; it is only the skill of our actors which still consoles me to some extent, otherwise I should be sunk in despair without further ado.

FISCHER

I am sorry for him.

MÜLLER

A good fellow!

PLAYWR

When I heard your worthy stamping—nothing has ever frightened me so, I am still pale and trembling and do not myself comprehend how I have attained to the courage of thus appearing before you.

LEUTNER

Well, clap, then! (All clap.)

PLAYWR

I wanted to make an attempt to furnish amusement by means of humor, by cheerfulness and real jokes, and hope I have been successful, since our newest plays so seldom afford us an opportunity to laugh.

MÜLLER

That's certainly true!

LEUTNER

He's right—that man.

SCHLOSS

Bravo! Bravo!

ALL

Bravo! Bravo! (They clap.)

PLAYWR

I leave you, honored sirs, to decide now whether my attempt is to be rejected entirely—trembling, I withdraw, and the play will begin. (He bows very respectfully and goes behind the curtain.)

ALL

Bravo! Bravo!

VOICES FROM THE GALLERY

Da capo!—

[All are laughing. The music begins again; meanwhile the curtain rises.]

ACT I

Small room in a peasant's cottage

LORENZ, BARTHEL, GOTTLIEB. The tom-cat HINZE, is lying on a bench by the stove.

LORENZ

I think that after the death of our father, our little fortune can be divided easily. You know the deceased has left only three pieces of property—a horse, an ox, and that cat there. I, as the eldest, will take the horse; Barthel, second after me, gets the ox, and so the cat is naturally left for our youngest brother.

LEUTNER (in the pit).

For Heaven's sake! Did any one ever see such an exposition! Just see how far dramatic art has degenerated!

MÜLLER

But I understand everything perfectly well.

LEUTNER

That's just the trouble, you should give the spectator a cunning suggestion, not throw the matter right into his teeth.

MÜLLER

But now you know, don't you, where you are?

LEUTNER

Yes, but you certainly mustn't know that so quickly; why, the very best part of the fun consists in getting at it little by little.

BARTHEL

I think, brother Gottlieb, you will also be satisfied with this division; unfortunately you are the youngest, and so you must grant us some privileges.

GOTTLIEB

Yes, to be sure.

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