Оценить:
 Рейтинг: 0

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

Год написания книги
2018
<< 1 ... 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 ... 96 >>
На страницу:
38 из 96
Настройки чтения
Размер шрифта
Высота строк
Поля

PLAYWRIGHT (rushing forward).

Impudent fellow—

JACKPUD

Look, he is even jealous of the small part I am playing now.

PLAYWRIGHT (on the other side of the stage with a bow).

Worthy friends! I never should have dared to give this man a more important part since I know your taste—

JACKPUDDING (on the other side).

Your taste? Now you see his jealousy—and they have all just declared that my taste is the same as theirs.

PLAYWR

I wished, by means of the present play, only to prepare you for even more extravagant products of the imagination.

ALL IN THE PIT

How? What?

JACKPUD

Of course for plays in which I would have no part to act at all.

PLAYWR

For the development of this matter must advance step by step.

JACKPUD

Don't believe a word he says!

PLAYWR

Now I withdraw, not to interrupt the course of the play any longer.

[Exit.]

JACKPUD

Adieu, until we meet again. (Exit, returns again quickly.) Apropos—another thing—the discussion which has just taken place among us is not part of the play either.

[Exit.]

THE PIT (laughs).

JACKPUDDING (returns again quickly).

Let us finish the wretched play today; make believe you do not notice at all how bad it is; as soon as I get home I'll sit down and write one for you that you will certainly like.

[Exit, some applause.]

(Enter GOTTLIEB and HINZE)

GOTTLIEB

Dear Hinze, it is true you are doing much for me, but I still cannot understand what good it is going to do me.

HINZE

Upon my word, I want to make you happy.

GOTTLIEB

Happiness must come soon, very soon, otherwise it will be too late; it is already half past seven and the comedy ends at eight.

HINZE

Say, what the devil does that mean?

GOTTLIEB

Oh, I was lost in thought—See! I meant to say, how beautifully the sun has risen. The accursed prompter speaks so indistinctly; and then if you want to extemporize once in a while, it always goes wrong.

HINZE (quietly).

Do bethink yourself, otherwise the whole play will break in a thousand pieces.

SCHLOSS

I wish somebody would tell me why I can no longer understand anything.

FISCHER

My intelligence is at a standstill too.

GOTTLIEB

So my fortune is yet to be determined today?

HINZE

Yes, dear Gottlieb, even before the sun sets. See, I love you so much that I would run through fire for you—and you doubt my sincerity?

WIESENER
<< 1 ... 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 ... 96 >>
На страницу:
38 из 96