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The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 04
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I like open views on beautiful landscapes.
PRINCESS
Can you see far?
KING
Oh, yes, and if it were not for those annoying mountains, you would see even further. Oh, my, the tree is full of caterpillars! (He climbs down again.)
PRINCESS
That is because it is a scene in nature which has not yet been idealized; imagination must first ennoble it.
KING
I wish you could take the caterpillars off me by means of imagination. But get in, we must drive ahead.
PRINCESS
Farewell, good, innocent peasant. (They get into the carriage; it drives on.)
HOST
How the world has changed! If you read in old books or listen to old people's stories, they always got louis d'ors or something like that if they spoke to a king or a prince. Such a king would formerly never dare to open his mouth if he did not press gold pieces into your hand at once. But now! How, pray, is one to make one's fortune unexpectedly, if the chance is over even with kings? Innocent peasant! I wish to God I didn't owe anything—that comes of the new sentimental descriptions of country life. Such a king is powerful and envies people of our station. I must only thank God that he did not hang me. The strange hunter was our Bugbear himself after all. At least it will now appear in the paper, I suppose, that the king has spoken to me graciously. [Exit.]
Another region
KUNZ (reaping corn).
Bitter work! And if at least I were doing it for myself—but this compulsory villainage! Here one must do nothing but sweat for the Bugbear and he does not even thank one. Of course they always say in this world that laws are necessary to keep the people in order, but what need there is here of our Law who devours all of us, I cannot understand.
[HINZE comes running.]
HINZE
Now I have blisters-on my soles already—well, it doesn't matter, Gottlieb, Gottlieb must get the throne for it. Hey, good friend!
KUNZ
Who's this fellow?
HINZE
The king will drive by here directly. If he asks you to whom all this belongs, you must answer—to the Count of Carabas; otherwise you will be chopped into a thousand million pieces. For the welfare of the public, the law desires it thus.
FISCHER
For the welfare of the public?
SCHLOSS
Naturally, for otherwise the play would never end.
HINZE
Your life is probably dear to you.
[Exit.]
KUNZ
That's just how the edicts always sound. Well, I don't mind saying that, if only no new taxes result from it. One must trust no innovation.
[The coach drives up and stops; the KING and the PRINCESS step out.]
KING
A fine landscape, too. We have already seen a great deal of very fine country. To whom does this land belong?
KUNZ
To the Count of Carabas.
KING
He has splendid estates, that must be true—and so near mine; daughter, that seems to be a good match for you. What is your opinion?
PRINCESS
You embarrass me, my father. What new things one sees while traveling, though. Do tell me, pray, good peasant, why do you cut down the straw like that?
KUNZ (laughing).
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
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