Последний отзыв
По всем вопросам обращайтесь на: info@litportal.ru
(©) 2003-2024.
✖
The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 07
Настройки чтения
Размер шрифта
Высота строк
Поля
The_ KING comes from the door on the left in easy, undress house uniform. He has a short Dutch pipe in his mouth, he shuts the door carefully behind him.
KING
Are they gathering already
EVERSMANN
There's noise enough outside there.
KING
My only recreation! While I may keep this little diversion, I am willing to bear the burdens and cares of government. Are the clay cannons loaded?
EVERSMANN
Aye—and some are fuming already outside there.
KING
Is the beer right fresh? And a little bitter, eh?
EVERSMANN
It might be better.
KING
Those Bernau brewers had best have a care—I may pay an unexpected visit to their brewery. How about the white smock I ordered?
EVERSMANN
Ready, at hand.
KING
When the meeting is over—you know what I have planned
EVERSMANN
Everything is ready for Your Majesty.
KING
You may go now. The door is to be opened at the stroke of ten.
EVERSMANN
Yes, Your Majesty. [He goes out.]
[The KING walks to the window, remaining there for a few moments. There is a pause.]
KING
Light in my wife's apartments again! Three rooms illuminated where one would have been enough—and tallow so expensive now. A dozen women have been invited there tonight, and a great conspiracy is going forward, with the Prince of Wales received incognito—all to defy me. But wait a bit—I'll be with you. This day has begun weightily and shall end weightily.
SCENE VI
A small clock strikes ten. The door to the right is thrown open and the members of the Tobacco-Conference come in, led by GRUMBKOW and SECKENDORF. There are about ten of them besides the principal actors. They come in solemnly, wearing their hats, carrying pipes in their mouths. Passing the KING they touch their hats and remove their pipes for a moment. HOTHAM and the PRINCE of BAIREUTH come last of all. The KING stands to the left and lets the procession move past him toward the right of the room.
GRUMBKOW (with the prescribed greeting).
Good evening, Your Majesty.
KING
Good evening, Grumbkow.
SECKENDORF
Good evening, Your Majesty.
KING
Good evening, Seckendorf.
COUNT SCHWERIN
Good evening, Your Majesty.
KING
Good evening, Schwerin. Does it taste good?
SCHWERIN
Fine! Thanks, Your Majesty.
COUNT WARTENSLEBEN
Good evening, Your Majesty.
KING
Good evening, Wartensleben. Pipe draw well?
WARTENSLEBEN
Yes. Thanks, Your Majesty. [He moves past the KING . The others pass one after the other, or sometimes several at once, with similar greetings.]
