The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Vii Part 26

PRINCE (_beside himself_).

The Princess is--destined--

EVERSMANN.

To be the future Empress of Austria.

[_He goes out into the_ QUEEN'S _room_.]

PRINCE (_alone_).

Empress! Queen! And I--I who love her to desperation, I am to help bring about either of these alliances? That will mean a tragedy or [_after a pause he continues more cheerfully_]--Courage--courage--it may turn out a comedy after all, as merry a comedy as ever was played at any Royal Court. [_He goes out_.]

ACT II

GRUMBKOW _and_ SECKENDORF _come in with_ EVERSMANN. _The latter carries a wide orange-colored ribbon with many stars and Orders on it, and a gleaming sword_.

SCENE I

_The_ KING'S _room. A side door on the left; a centre door. A writing table and chairs_.

GRUMBKOW.

It was a dispatch, you say, Eversmann?

SECKENDORF.

A dispatch from Hanover.

GRUMBKOW.

And all this elegance? The ribbon? The sword of state? What does it mean?

EVERSMANN.

His Majesty ordered these immediately after the arrival of the dispatch.

SECKENDORF.

A dispatch from Hanover--arrived about an hour ago--_grand cordon_ commanded--sword of state--we must put these facts together, Grumbkow--find their meaning.

EVERSMANN.

There are to be twelve plates more at table today. [_Meaningfully_.]

Thirty-six thalers are set aside for the dinner--everybody to appear in full court dress.

SECKENDORF.

A dispatch from Hanover-_grand cordon_--sword of state--twelve plates extra--thirty-six thalers--the combination, Grumbkow--we must find the combination!

EVERSMANN.

When he had torn the seal from the dispatch, he wept two big tears and said: "I'll make them all happy if I have to beat them to a jelly to do it." And now he's all eagerness and would like to invite the whole city to dinner.

GRUMBKOW.

On thirty-six thalers?

EVERSMANN.

The orphans in the asylum are to have new clothes.

GRUMBKOW (_startled_).

The orphans? That looks like a wedding.

SECKENDORF.

Dispatch--Hanover--thirty-six thalers--two tears--beat them all--the meaning of that, Grumbkow?--we must put two and two together and find it.

EVERSMANN (_startled_).

He's coming! The King!

SCENE II

_The_ KING _looks in from the side door_.

KING.

Good morning! Good morning! Hope you slept well, gentlemen. Well, you rascal, where's that frippery? What's this--the English orders are missing? Fasten it on well. I don't want the fol-dols knocking about my knees.

EVERSMANN (_as if joking_).

Is there something so important on hand? Doesn't Your Majesty want the crown also?

KING.

The crown! Idiot! [_He comes out_.] You can be glad that you don't have to wear it, sirrah! Off with you now. Eversmann, and see that everything is in order. [EVERSMANN _goes out_.] Good morning, Grumbkow and Seckendorf. No time for you now--my compliments to the State of Prussia and I beg to be left to myself today. Good morning--good morning.

[_The two ministers prepare reluctantly to depart_.]