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
VIERECK
Have we Your Majesty's permission to draw the tables nearer together?
There—there is so much air at this window.
[The lackeys place the table farther from the window.]
QUEEN
Yes, ladies, this evening a new era begins for our monarchy. I will break at last with the established etiquette. [Lackeys come in with trays.] Order what pleases you. The beverages of China and the Levant shall from now on no longer be strangers to our court.
HOLZENDORF
What is this? Tea?
VIERECK
And coffee? These forbidden beverages?
HOLZENDORF
If His Majesty the King—
QUEEN
Have no fear. Give your feelings full sway—express yourself without fear, in assurance of perfect safety—[There is a knock at the door, right.] Was not that a knock?
VIERECK (aside, trembling).
What does this mean?
[The knock is repeated. The ladies all rise as if frightened.]
QUEEN
Be calm, ladies. There is no danger. The evening will offer one surprise after another. Who, do you imagine, is at that door now?
[The knock is repeated. The ladies all rise as if frightened.]
HOLZENDORF
The hand seems none of the most delicate.
QUEEN
And yet it is. That knock expresses the impetuous longing of a being whom my courage has freed from a humiliating situation. You may resume your seats, ladies. Do not allow yourselves to be disturbed by anything that may occur, not even by any surprise. This is but the beginning of many things that will come to pass this evening. And so I cry—in overflowing emotion—[There is another knock.] "Moderate your impatience, beloved being; you shall find here what you seek—your mother!" [She opens the door.]
SCENE III
The KING steps in. He is wrapped in a white cloak, his hat pulled down over his face.
KING
Yes, your mother.
[The ladies all rise with exclamations of horror. The KING removes his hat.]
QUEEN (aside, crushed).
The King!
KING (angry, but forcing himself to be affable).
On my word, how fine we are here, very fine indeed! And how nice it does look with so many lights burning. [He blows out several.] Why are you hiding yourselves, ladies? Did you expect such a visitor?
QUEEN
Your Majesty
[The ladies place themselves so that they screen the table. They hide the cards quickly.]
KING
Do not let me disturb you, ladies. What is your particular entertainment this evening? Enjoying a cup of soup, Frau von Holzendorf? [Comes nearer.] Oho—the silver service? [He looks into cups.] What's that? Tea? Chocolate? Coffee?
QUEEN
Your Majesty will surely—permit us—to keep pace with our age.
KING
Frau von Viereck, you, I imagine, have been keeping pace with your age long enough. About thirty years ago you'd give an old boy like myself a handshake occasionally.
[Slyly he holds out his hand to her.]
VIERECK (tries to hide the cards behind her back).
Your Majesty—such graciousness—
[She holds out one hand.]
KING
Both, Fran von Viereck—let me have both.
[VIERECK lets the cards fall behind her back.]
KING
