The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 07

[He turns toward the second door at the back, to his right.]

SONNSFELD (comes in quickly, excitedly).

Away Prince—away, the Queen is approaching.

PRINCE

The Queen? Where shall I go?

SONNSFELD

Into that room over there—you may find some way out—no one must see you here.

[She pushes him to an opposite side-door.]

PRINCE

My knowledge of the territory is growing rapidly. [He goes out.]

SCENE V

The QUEEN comes in, followed by two ladies-in-waiting. She motions them to leave her. They go out. The QUEEN sinks into a chair.

QUEEN

Has my daughter risen? I worked so late into the night that I am still quite fatigued. These wretched politics! Have you seen Kamke?

SONNSFELD

Your Majesty's lackey? No, Your Majesty.

QUEEN

He's been gone so long. I sent him to the Prince of Baireuth.

PRINCE (peeping out from the door, aside).

To me?

QUEEN

If I may judge by the letters the Prince brings me from my son, he himself will one day be one of the best sovereigns of our century.

PRINCE (aside).

The field is all in my favor.

QUEEN

My son, who judges men so keenly, assures me that I may trust this Prince completely. And I need some one of force and character to aid me; I need such a one now more than ever.

SONNSFELD (alarmed).

Is there—is there anything new in the air, Your Majesty?

QUEEN

I shall need to display all my strength, all my will-power. I shall have need of it to uphold the dignity of a monarchy whose natural head appears to forget more and more that Prussia has recently joined the ranks of the Great Powers of Europe.

SONNSFELD

Your Majesty—is laying plots?

QUEEN

I am consumed with curiosity to make the acquaintance of this Prince whom my son considers worthy of his friendship. [SONNSFELD motions to the Prince.] As soon as he arrives, dear Sonnsfeld—

SONNSFELD (pointing to the PRINCE, who comes in).

Kamke has just shown him in. Here he is, Your Majesty.

QUEEN (rising).

This is a surprise, Prince. I did not hear you enter.

PRINCE

Your Majesty was so deeply absorbed in thought—

QUEEN (aside).

He has a pleasing exterior and intelligent eyes. [Aloud.] Did my messenger—

PRINCE

The good fellow met me just as I was about to leave my hotel. He gave me

Your Majesty's gracious command.

QUEEN. Prince—[She sits down, motioning him to do the same.]

My heartiest thanks for the letters from my worthy son. One sentence, which I reread many times, permits me to assume that he has informed you of a certain matter, a certain plan of mine—

PRINCE

Certainly, Your Majesty. [Aside.] I haven't heard a word about it.

QUEEN

It makes me very happy to know that in this matter, as indeed in most things, my son and I are so completely in accord. Then you, also, think as we do on this subject?

PRINCE

Undoubtedly—undoubtedly, Your Majesty. [Aside.] If I only knew what subject!

QUEEN

My son writes me that I may rely entirely on your sympathy in this affair.

PRINCE

He did not exaggerate, Your Majesty. When I parted from him, his last words, called after my moving carriage, were these: "Dear friend, my gracious mother, the Queen, will inform you as to all further details concerning the affair in question."

QUEEN

That sounds very like him. I am quite ready to do as he says.

PRINCE (aside).

The plot thickens.

QUEEN

You know that the Electors of Brandenburg have but recently become Kings of Prussia. Although a Hanoverian Princess myself, I find my happiness in Prussia's greatness, my pride in Prussia's fame. No state has such need to be careful in the choice of its alliances, political or matrimonial, as our own. And hence there is no subject so interesting and so important to our country at the moment as a certain question which is already exciting the Cabinets of Europe, a question—the answer to which you have doubtless already guessed.

PRINCE

I think—I may say—that I understand Your Majesty entirely. [Aside.]

What can she mean?

QUEEN

No one can call me unduly proud. But if one belongs to a family which has recently had the honor of being chosen to fill the throne of England—if one is the daughter of a King, the wife of a King, the mother of a future King—you will understand that in this matter of my daughter's future—there are weighty considerations which force me to avoid any possible political mésalliance.

PRINCE

Mésalliance? The Princess? Your daughter [Bewildered.] I must confess—I was but superficially informed of all these matters.

QUEEN

What I am about to tell you, Prince, under the seal of your utmost discretion, is a secret and the result of the gravest negotiations and plans. You know what kind of a Court this is at which I live. I am denied the influence which should be my right as mother of my country. The King has surrounded himself with persons who have separated him from me. I dare not think how this company of corporals and sergeants will receive my deeply thought-out plans. How will the King be inclined in regard to a matter that is of such decisive importance for the happiness of his children and the fair fame of his house? In this, Prince, you see my need of a man of your intelligence, your insight, that I may know what to hope—or [firmly] if need be—what to dare!

PRINCE

I shall be most eagerly anxious to justify Your Majesty's confidence. [Aside.] Good Heavens!

QUEEN

Let me then inform you of a secret but completed negotiation in which all the nearest relatives of our house have already taken part, and into the nature of which I now initiate you, too, as my son's friend. My daughter is to become the wife of my nephew, the Prince of Wales; she will therefore be the future Queen of England.

PRINCE (aside).

Zounds! A nice rival this!

QUEEN

So you see, Prince, the importance of the issue involved! Will you consent to mediate this question—a question of such importance to all Europe—with my husband?

PRINCE

I? With the King? Mediate? Oh, of course, Your Majesty, with the greatest pleasure! [Aside.] What a detestable errand!

QUEEN

Very well, then you can begin at once. The King will be here shortly. Introduce yourself to him. Use this favorable moment to draw from him an expression of his opinion concerning the throne of England, and let me know the result at once.

PRINCE

I am still quite bewildered by this—this flattering commission. And when may I pay my respects to Your Majesty again?

QUEEN

At almost any time. But I should prefer the evening hours, when those on whom I can rely gather around me, while the King is with those persons whom I mentioned a short time ago. Farewell now, my dear Prince of—oh, dear me, now my son has forgotten to write me whether it is Ansbach or Baireuth that you inherit. It is so easy to confuse these little principalities. Ansbach—Baireuth—Ansbach—yes, that was it. Very well, my dear Prince of Ansbach, remember, Prussia, Hanover and England!

[She bows to him with proud condescension and goes out.]

SCENE VI

PRINCE (alone).

The future Queen of England! And I—the Hereditary Prince of Ansbach! That was a cruel blow of fate. And I am to mediate these matters of international importance! This angelic being, whom I love more madly with every breath I draw—this exquisite sister of my dear Frederick—is destined to become a victim of political intrigue? Oh no, she cannot possibly love the Prince of Wales; she has never seen him. But will they consult her inclination? Will cold considerations of politics heed the cry of her heart?—The parade is over, the suite is entering the castle; I dare not meet the king now in this excited mood.

[He looks about as if seeking some means of escape. EVERSMANN comes in carrying a large book. He has a pen stuck in behind one ear. He crosses to the door through which the QUEEN has gone out.]

PRINCE (aside).

Who's this?

[EVERSMANN looks the PRINCE over from head to foot, moves forward a few paces, then halts again.]

PRINCE (aside).

Can any one have seen me?

EVERSMANN (goes to the door, halts again, looks at the PRINCE impudently).

PRINCE

Why are you looking at me, sirrah? I am the Prince Hereditary of

Baireuth.

EVERSMANN (is quite indifferent, comes down a few steps, bows very slightly).

His Majesty is coming in from the parade, but does not grant audiences in this room.

PRINCE

I thank you for the information, my good man.

EVERSMANN

Don't mention it, pray.

PRINCE

And who are you?

EVERSMANN. I? [There is along pause.]

I am Eversmann. [He goes out into the QUEEN's room.]

PRINCE

Eversmann? The Minister of Finance or the Head Steward, I wonder? He betrays parsimony in every shred of his garments. [Drums and the sound of presented arms is heard back of the rear entrance.] The King is coming. The King? Why should I feel so timid, so oppressed, all of a sudden? Does my courage fail me because I am about to confront this curiosity of his century? I'd rather observe him from the side at first.

[He draws back and stands close by the door to the left.]

SCENE VII

A loud knocking, as with a cane, is heard at the centre door.

PRINCE

Come in.

KING (outside).

Eversmann!

PRINCE

Now, what's that?

KING (still without, beats the door loudly with his cane).

Eversmann!

PRINCE

Surely this castle is haunted!

[He slips into the door at the right.]

KING (knocking again, still outside).

Eversmann! Doesn't the fellow hear?

EVERSMANN (coming in hurriedly).

The door is open, Your Majesty. [Goes to centre door, opens it.]

PRINCE (looking in at his door).

Your Majesty? Is that the King?

KING (in corridor but not yet visible).

Eversmann, have you forgotten that this is the day for revising the books?

EVERSMANN

No, indeed, Your Majesty. I was occupied in balancing the books of Her

Majesty the Queen.

QUEEN (comes out from her door, listens timidly).

Was that the King's voice?

KING (outside).

Eversmann, tell the castellan that eleven o'clock is closing hour for my wife's apartment, and that, if I see a light again in her rooms until after midnight, I will come over myself at the stroke of twelve to search into every corner and to discover what political plot is brewing there. You'd better tell my wife yourself, sirrah—so that she may obey orders.

EVERSMANN

So that she may obey orders.

QUEEN

Miserable lackey! [Goes out.]

PRINCE (aside).

Will he go now?

KING (outside).

Eversmann!

EVERSMANN

Your Majesty!

KING

Now go to my daughter too, the Princess Wilhelmine—

[WILHELMINE opens her door softly.]

EVERSMANN

To Her Royal Highness—

KING

And tell her to have a care—this Laharpe—is a rascal.

WILHELMINE (aside).

Laharpe?

PRINCE (aside).

What's that?

KING

Laharpe is a rascal, I say.

EVERSMANN

A rascal.

KING

And tell my daughter that I will teach a lesson to the Crown Prince for sending these French vagabonds here, who pretend to be teachers of the language and are merely ordinary, good-for-nothing wigmakers.

WILHELMINE

How disgusting!

[She goes out.]

PRINCE (aside).

Wigmakers?

KING (still outside).

And now get back to the books!

EVERSMANN

At once, Your Majesty.

KING

Eversmann—one thing more, Eversmann!

EVERSMANN

Your Majesty?

KING

If you should see the Prince Hereditary of Baireuth—

PRINCE (aside).

It's my turn now.

KING

That French windbag who's been hanging about Berlin since yesterday—

PRINCE (aside).

Pleasing description!

EVERSMANN

I'll tell him Your Majesty will not receive him.

PRINCE (aside).

Rascal!

KING

No, Eversmann, tell him I have something very important to say to him—something very confidential.

PRINCE (aside).

Confidential? To me?

KING

Concerning an important and pressing matter.

EVERSMANN

Oh, yes, I know.

KING

You know, sirrah? What do you know? You know nothing at all.

EVERSMANN

I thought—one might guess—

KING

Guess? What right have you to guess? You're not to guess at all. Understand? Idiot! Shoulder arms, march! [As he goes off a short roll of drums is heard.]

PRINCE (crosses quickly to EVERSMANN).

What do you know? What do you think it is that the King has to say to me?

EVERSMANN

Oh, Your Highness is still here?

PRINCE

The King wishes to speak to me. Do you know why? Tell me what you think.

EVERSMANN

If Your Highness promises not to betray me—I think it concerns a certain affair—between Prussia and Austria.

PRINCE

Austria?

EVERSMANN

Arch-Duke Leopold is willing, they say—that is if [with a sly gesture toward the PRINCESS' room] if Princess Wilhelmine—

PRINCE (excited).

The Princess?

EVERSMANN

Sh! You will probably be chosen to conduct the negotiations between

Prussia and—

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.]

GRUMBKOW (in the door).

Your Majesty is in such a merry mood—

SECKENDORF

Could it be the arrival of the courier—? KING (indifferently). Oh, yes. A courier came—

GRUMBKOW

From Hanover?

KING

From Hanover.

SECKENDORF

With news of importance, Your Majesty?

KING

News of importance!

GRUMBKOW

Concerning English affairs, doubtless?

KING

English affairs!

SECKENDORF

Doubtless the East Indian commercial treaties.

KING

No—no.

GRUMBKOW

The Dutch shipping agreement?

KING (enjoying their curiosity).

Something of that nature. Good morning, gentlemen.

GRUMBKOW (aside).

He is in a desperate mood again.

SECKENDORF (aside, going out).

Thirty-six thalers—twelve places—the orphans—we must find the combination! [They go out.]

SCENE III

KING

They've gone. At last I have a moment to myself. [EVERSMANN comes in.]

I am supremely happy.

EVERSMANN

My respectful congratulations.

KING

Thankee-now just imagine—oh, yes—no. [Aside.] No one must know of it.

EVERSMANN

Did Your Majesty intend to—

KING

Change my clothes? Yes—take this coat off; we'll spare no expense. They shall see that I possess wealth; they shall see that though I may be parsimonious ordinarily, still I can spend as well as any of them when an occasion offers. An occasion like this—[with an out-burst.] Eversmann, just imagine! [Remembering.] Oh, yes.

EVERSMANN (takes off the KING'S coat).

Will Your Majesty put on the embroidered uniform?

KING

The embroidered uniform, Eversmann. I am expecting guests to whom all honor must be shown. Great honor—for when it concerns the arrival of persons who—[He sits down.] Take off my boots. [EVERSMANN pulls off the boots with difficulty.] Has the Prince of Baireuth been here yet?

EVERSMANN

Is Your Majesty going to all this trouble on his account?

KING

On his account? Possibly. [Aside.] I'll lead them all a dance. [Aloud.] Zounds! Villain! Rascal! My corns! I believe the rogue is hurting me on purpose—because I won't tell him anything.

EVERSMANN

But, Your Majesty, I haven't asked any questions yet.

KING

I'll have you asking questions! Now what are you laughing at, sirrah?

Heh? Fetch me my dressing gown until you have found the uniform.

[EVERSMANN turns to go.] Hey, there! Why did you laugh just now?

EVERSMANN

Because I know—that before I have brought Your Majesty your hat Your

Majesty will have told me all about it.

KING (threatening him with his cane).

You rascal—how dare you?

EVERSMANN (retiring toward the door).

Your Majesty can't keep a secret. There is only one thing Your Majesty can hold fast to, and that is—your money! Ha! ha! I'll fetch the dressing-gown. [He goes out.]

SCENE IV

KING (sitting in his shirt-sleeves).

He's right. It burns my heart out. But they shan't know. Not any of them—they shan't. They've spoiled my pet plans before now. I'll play a different game, this time, and I'll send all the camels through the needle's eye at once. They think I'm on the side of Austria. But no—ha! ha! England's own offer, brought by the Hanoverian courier, was a great surprise to me—he! he! England is my wife's idea—therefore I am for England, too—and soon we'll have the wedding and the christening, ha! ha!

[A lackey comes in, announces.]

LACKEY

His Highness the Prince Hereditary of Baireuth.

KING

Pleased to receive him.

[The lackey goes out and the PRINCE comes in.]

PRINCE (aside).

Are these old crosspatch's apartments? [To the KING.] That's the

King's study in there, isn't it?

KING

Yes—at your service.

PRINCE

Go in and announce me. I'm the Prince of Baireuth.

KING (surprised, aside).

What does he take me for?

PRINCE

What fashion is this? Are you in the King's service? Is this the style in which to receive guests to whom His Majesty has promised an audience?

KING

Then Your Highness—wishes to speak to—to the King of Prussia?

PRINCE

You heard me say so, did you not? Announce me.

KING

At once, Your Highness. [Turns to go.]

PRINCE

Is this the way to go into your master's presence? In your shirt-sleeves?

KING

I'm—I'm on a very confidential footing with the King. [He goes out.]

PRINCE (alone).

This is a strange Royal Household indeed! The servants stand about the anterooms in their shirt-sleeves—doubtless from motives of economy to save their liveries. Well, the great hour has arrived—the die will fall. Wilhelmine—she—she alone I love—and she is to consent to unite herself to the painted picture of a Prince of Wales—the colored silhouette of an Austrian Arch-Duke whom she has never seen! Ah, no, my fate rests on the Genius of Love—on chance, which may be even kinder to me than I expect. Her parents are of divided minds—thereby do I gain time to win Wilhelmine's heart—for myself. The King is coming. Now I can listen to his favorable opinions regarding—Austria.

SCENE V

The KING comes in, in dress uniform, with the grand cordon.

PRINCE (looking at him).

Is that not—

KING

You are surprised? It was a slight mistake in identity.

PRINCE (embarrassed).

Your Majesty—I am a stranger—

KING

It's of no consequence. You were deucedly insolent—but my people are thick-skinned. Well—I want to speak to you, my dear Prince of Baireuth. Are you just come from Baireuth?

PRINCE

Yes, Your Majesty—that is, I left Baireuth three years ago.

KING

And where were you all this time?

PRINCE

In—in England.

KING

Ah—you spent much time in England?

PRINCE (aside).

I suppose he wants me to help him with Austria, and to disparage England. [Aloud.] In England? Yes, quite time enough to learn all about that unmannerly and extremely ridiculous country and its ways.

KING:

What's that? England ridiculous? Here, here, young friend—we have some distance to go yet before we reach the point where England stands today. H'm—have you been in Italy? Or in Austria—or thereabouts?

PRINCE (aside).

Does he favor England? I thought it was Austria—yes, he favors Austria. [Aloud.] Austria? Surely; a wonderful country—such development of industry—and commerce—such life and activity in all directions!

KING

Activity? H'm! The activity in Austria isn't dangerous yet!

PRINCE (aside).

Then he does not favor Austria. I fancy I'm not ingratiating myself at all.

KING (aside).

Has Seckendorf, or any of the others, been talking to him? Is he trying to please me? [Aloud.] A nice little country, that Baireuth of yours. Soil somewhat stony, though!—doesn't yield your father much revenue, I dare say!

PRINCE

We're learning to improve the soil. [Aside.] These geographical prejudices!

KING

Trying to improve it by the pleasure palaces your father is building? What's got into the man? Puts up one gimcrack after another, as if he were Louis Quatorze—and runs his country into debt meanwhile. About how much debt does your country carry?

PRINCE (aside).

I don't know that myself. [Aloud, saucily.] Ten millions.

KING

Ten millions?

PRINCE

More or less.

KING

Good heavens! Who is to pay that debt eventually? And with such a state of things in the exchequer you're traveling about Europe, taking money out of the country?

PRINCE

I'm completing my education, sire.