Morituri: Three One-Act Plays - novelonlinefull.com
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Teja.
But hadst thou seen him and compared him to me, thou wouldst spit upon me!
Balthilda (_fervently_).
I should have seen only thee, Sire dear, dear Sire!
(Teja _looks askance at her, shyly and distrustfully, then walks silently to the left, sinks down before the seat on the throne, and burying his face in the chair, weeps bitterly_.)
Balthilda.
(_Follows him shyly and kneels down beside him_.) Teja, beloved, if I hurt thee, pardon me!
Teja (_rises and grasps her arm_).
Tell it to no one!
Balthilda.
What, Sire?
Teja.
That thou hast seen me weep! Swear it to me!
Balthilda.
It hath been told me that I am now even as a piece of thy body--and of thy soul also!... Wherefore should I swear?
Teja.
If thou art a piece of my body, then come nearer to me, that thou mayst not see my tears.
Balthilda.
Let me dry them for thee! See, for this cause am I here.
Teja.
Ah, 'tis well with me.... I must indeed have died of shame, for never yet hath a Gothic man been seen to weep. Even when we buried Totilas, we wept not.... Yet I am not ashamed.... If I but knew why suddenly it is so well with me!... Balthilda, I will tell thee something. But thou must not laugh me to scorn.
Balthilda.
How should I laugh at thee, beloved?
Teja.
I am hungry.
Balthilda (_springing up in surprise_).
Alas, surely thou hast given everything away!
Teja.
Oh, by no means! Go just over there, wilt thou? (_She obeys_.) Behind my couch--seest thou the fireplace?
Balthilda.
Here where the ashes lie?
Teja.
There standeth a chest?
Balthilda.
Yea.
Teja.
Wilt thou open the lid?
Balthilda.
Ah, it is heavy!
Teja.
Now feel within! Deep, deep!... There Ildibad the old miser--well?
Balthilda (_disappointedly_).
A couple of bread crusts; is that all, Sire?
Teja.
There is indeed nothing more.
Balthilda.
May I not then go quickly over to the Wagenburg?... Perhaps still ...
Teja.
Oh nay.... They themselves need the fragments.... Bring that hither! As brothers we shall share it--eh? And then there is sufficient for both.
Wilt thou?
