The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iv Part 46

I really came--in matters--to beg you to take my part against my neighbor. I had also brought this purse with me--but the presence of Lord Law is too frightful for me.

BUGBEAR (_suddenly changes into a mouse and sits in a corner_).

OFFICER.

Why, where has the Bugbear gone?

BUGBEAR (_in a delicate voice_).

Just put the money down there on the table; I will sit here to avoid frightening you.

OFFICER.

Here. (_He lays the money down_.) Oh, this justice is a splendid thing--how can one be afraid of such a mouse!

[_Exit_.]

BUGBEAR (_a.s.sumes his natural form_).

A pretty good purse--of course one must sympathize with human weakness.

[_Enter_ HINZE.]

HINZE.

With your permission--(_aside_) Hinze, you must pluck up courage--(_aloud_) Your Excellency!

BUGBEAR.

What do you wish?

HINZE.

I am a scholar traveling through this region and wished to take the liberty of making your excellency's acquaintance.

BUGBEAR.

Very well, then, make my acquaintance.

HINZE.

You are a mighty prince; your love of justice is known all over the world.

BUGBEAR.

Yes, I don't doubt it. Do sit down!

HINZE.

They tell many wonderful things about Your Highness--

BUGBEAR.

Yes, people always want something to talk about and so the reigning monarchs must be the first to be discussed.

HINZE.

But still, there is one thing I cannot believe, that Your Excellency can transform yourself into an elephant and a tiger.

BUGBEAR.

I will give you an example of it at once. (_He changes into a lion_.)

HINZE (_draws out a portfolio, trembling_).

Permit me to make note of this marvel--but now would you also please resume your natural charming form? Otherwise I shall die of fear.

BUGBEAR (_in his own form_).

Those are tricks, friend! Don't you think so?

HINZE.

Marvelous! But another thing--they also say you can transform yourself into very small animals--with your permission, that is even far more incomprehensible to me; for, do tell me, what becomes of your large body then?

BUGBEAR.

I will do that too.

[_He changes into a mouse_. HINZE _leaps after him, the Bugbear flees into another room_, HINZE _after him_.]

HINZE (_coming back_).

Freedom and Equality! The Law is devoured! Now indeed the Tiers--_Etat_! Gottlieb will surely secure the government.

SCHLOSS.

Why, a revolutionary play after all? Then for heaven's sake, you surely shouldn't stamp!

[_The stamping continues_, WIESENER _and several others applaud_, HINZE _creeps into a corner and finally even leaves the stage. The playwright is heard quarreling behind the scenes and then enters_.]

PLAYWR.

What am I to do? The play will be over directly--everything would perhaps have run smoothly--now just in this moral scene I had expected so much applause. If this were only not so far away from the king's palace, I would fetch the peacemaker; he explained to me at the end of the second act all the fables of Orpheus--but am I not a fool? I became quite confused--why, this is the theatre here, and the peacemaker must be somewhere behind the scenes--I will look for him--I must find him--he shall save me! (_Exit, returns again quickly_.) He is not _there_, Sir Peacemaker! An empty echo mocks me--he has deserted me, his playwright. Ha! there I see him--he must come forward.

[_The pauses are always filled by stamping in the pit and the playwright delivers this monologue in recitative, so that the effect is rather melodramatic_.]

PEACEMAKER (_behind the scenes_).