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The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 07
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KING
Out with it!
HOTHAM
Prussian industry has now reached a standard which renders England desirous of testing its products under certain conditions of importation. For this—
KING
For this?
HOTHAM
England would feel grateful if the former friendly understanding, interrupted somewhat since Your Majesty's illustrious accession to the throne, if the former friendly commercial understanding—
KING
Understanding?
HOTHAM. Could be restored; and if Your Majesty would graciously decide, on the occasion of this auspicious union, welcomed in England with such rejoicing, to repeal, in part, the present—prohibitive regulations—
KING
What?
HOTHAM
In a word, England asks for a new commercial treaty.
KING
New commercial treaty? Commercial—[He rises, there is a slight pause.] The meeting is adjourned.
QUEEN
What's that?
KING
Is it for this then, that I have sought to raise and ennoble the civilization of my country, that I have furthered commerce and industry, promoted shipping, given an asylum within the state to thousands of religious refugees from France—for this, that now, as the price for the honor of an alliance with England, I should open the door and let in the forbidden English merchandise—to the ruin of my own subjects?
[He goes to the table and rings. A lackey appears.]
KING
My ministers!
QUEEN
What? You would sacrifice your daughter's happiness?
SCENE IV
GRUMBKOW, SECKENDORF and three generals come in.
KING
Step nearer, gentlemen. I have allowed you to remain in uncertainty concerning a dispatch which arrived this morning from Hanover. You shall now hear my formal answer to it. Prince, poet, do not be alarmed. Our festivities will take place for all that, our cannon will thunder, our lanterns will blaze through the night. Prince, do you want to put me under eternal obligation to you?
PRINCE (misunderstanding).
Your Majesty! Can it be possible?
KING
Do you want to make me your debtor forever?
PRINCE (joyfully).
I? Wilhel—!
KING
Take to horse, Prince, and ride off within the hour, as my special envoy to Vienna.
PRINCE, GRUMBKOW AND SECKENDORF (together).
To Vienna?
KING
My daughter's hand is promised to Vienna. Within a fortnight a scion of the illustrious Imperial House will enter the walls of our capital.
HOTHAM
Your Majesty compels me, in the eventuality of an Arch-Duke's arrival, to make a certain declaration herewith—
KING
And that is?
HOTHAM
The Prince of Wales—is already here.
ALL
The Prince of Wales—in Berlin?
