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

[He goes out, followed by all except HOTHAM.]

SCENE IV

HOTHAM (alone).

Excellent! We adapt ourselves to circumstances and circumstances adapt themselves to us. Now for my letter to the Queen. [He sits down, takes a partly written letter from his portfolio and reads it.] "Exalted Lady: Your wish to see the Prince of Wales is a command for your devoted servant. Unless all plans should go awry I will have the honor to lead the Prince of Wales this very night into the presence of his Royal Aunt. He hopes not only for the happiness of pressing a kiss on Your Majesty's hand, but desires, with all the longing of an ardent heart, finally to look upon his dear affianced, the Princess Wilhelmine. Use all your power to free the Princess from her imprisonment for this evening." [He begins to write.] "I would suggest that you advise the Princess to wrap herself in a white domino. This disguise will carry her safely past the palace sentries." There—the young people can see each other again, can storm the fortress of the mother's heart, and can win for themselves the support of public opinion, as represented by the invited guests. [He seals the letter.] Now if I could find the Prince—Ah, there he is!

PRINCE (looking in cautiously).

Hotham, I've been looking for you everywhere. What do you think has just happened to me?

HOTHAM

Another Royal mission?

PRINCE

I can scarce believe it myself. Disconsolate, I was preparing for the journey, and stopped to cast one last look up to the windows behind which my beloved sits captive—a lackey of the King's suite approached me. I anticipated some new humiliation. But imagine my astonishment at the surprise in store for me. You know the value the King sets on his nightly smoking-bouts. He invites to these gatherings only persons for whom he has especial plans. Now picture my amazement when I learned that His Majesty begs me, before my departure tonight, to do him the pleasure to attend his Smoker!

HOTHAM

You have an invitation?

PRINCE

You're—you're laughing. [HOTHAM laughs heartily.] What are you laughing at?

HOTHAM

It's unspeakably comical.

PRINCE

Comical? I should consider it rather tragical, when a sovereign first humiliates us and then suddenly heaps amiabilities upon us. What is the matter with you.

HOTHAM

Stand up straight-breast thrown out—head up—hands at your side—no, more to the back—

PRINCE

What do you mean?

HOTHAM (pulling his hair).

Fine growth—fine strong growth.

PRINCE

What are you doing to my hair? And you're still laughing!

HOTHAM

As a consequence of a most droll diplomatic transaction, I also have been honored with an invitation to the Smoker. And that I may enjoy the true savor of the customary and, methinks, sometimes strongly realistic entertainment of such occasions, those in charge have bestirred themselves to find royal game for the baiting.

PRINCE

And I am to be—the game? This is too much! I will be there, Hotham; I will take my place humbly at the foot of the great table, but I warn you that my patience is exhausted. I will show them that I have weapons to parry the jibes of rough soldiers, weapons I have not yet brought into play. I will be there, I will listen with apparent calm to what they are planning to do to me—but then—then I will draw from my quiver! I will send arrow after arrow at this brutal despotism—and should the shafts be too weak to penetrate their leathern harness, then, Hotham, then out with my sword and at them!

HOTHAM

Bravo, Prince! Excellent! That's the right mood! That is the language one must use in this court. The hour draws near. It would take us too far a-field were I to detail my plans to you now. I will first dispatch this letter to the Queen. Then, as we set out for the Smoker—but I see you are in no mood for explanations. Cherish this noble anger, Prince! Rage as much as you will—snort like an angry tiger. [Takes him by the arm and leads him out.] More—more—heap it up—there, now you are ready to aid my plan, which is none other than to have you win the King by forcing him to respect you. [They go out.]

SCENE V

_A plain low-ceilinged room in the palace. The walls are gray. The main entrance is in the centre. One door at the left, a small window at the right.

Lackeys carry in an oaken table and place a number of wooden stools around it. Then they bring tankards on wooden platters and set them in a circle on the table. A brazier with live coals is also brought in. The lackeys go out.

The_ KING comes from the door on the left in easy, undress house uniform. He has a short Dutch pipe in his mouth, he shuts the door carefully behind him.

KING

Are they gathering already

EVERSMANN

There's noise enough outside there.

KING

My only recreation! While I may keep this little diversion, I am willing to bear the burdens and cares of government. Are the clay cannons loaded?

EVERSMANN

Aye—and some are fuming already outside there.

KING

Is the beer right fresh? And a little bitter, eh?

EVERSMANN

It might be better.

KING

Those Bernau brewers had best have a care—I may pay an unexpected visit to their brewery. How about the white smock I ordered?

EVERSMANN

Ready, at hand.

KING

When the meeting is over—you know what I have planned

EVERSMANN

Everything is ready for Your Majesty.

KING

You may go now. The door is to be opened at the stroke of ten.

EVERSMANN

Yes, Your Majesty. [He goes out.]

[The KING walks to the window, remaining there for a few moments. There is a pause.]

KING

Light in my wife's apartments again! Three rooms illuminated where one would have been enough—and tallow so expensive now. A dozen women have been invited there tonight, and a great conspiracy is going forward, with the Prince of Wales received incognito—all to defy me. But wait a bit—I'll be with you. This day has begun weightily and shall end weightily.

SCENE VI

A small clock strikes ten. The door to the right is thrown open and the members of the Tobacco-Conference come in, led by GRUMBKOW and SECKENDORF. There are about ten of them besides the principal actors. They come in solemnly, wearing their hats, carrying pipes in their mouths. Passing the KING they touch their hats and remove their pipes for a moment. HOTHAM and the PRINCE of BAIREUTH come last of all. The KING stands to the left and lets the procession move past him toward the right of the room.

GRUMBKOW (with the prescribed greeting).

Good evening, Your Majesty.

KING

Good evening, Grumbkow.

SECKENDORF

Good evening, Your Majesty.

KING

Good evening, Seckendorf.

COUNT SCHWERIN

Good evening, Your Majesty.

KING

Good evening, Schwerin. Does it taste good?

SCHWERIN

Fine! Thanks, Your Majesty.

COUNT WARTENSLEBEN

Good evening, Your Majesty.

KING

Good evening, Wartensleben. Pipe draw well?

WARTENSLEBEN

Yes. Thanks, Your Majesty. [He moves past the KING . The others pass one after the other, or sometimes several at once, with similar greetings.]

KING

Take your seats, gentlemen—no formalities—free choice—the smoke of war levels all rank.

GRUMBKOW

But the subject, Your Majesty, the subject promised for this evening?

KING

Ha, ha! The target? There it comes.

[HOTHAM and the PRINCE OF BAIREUTH come in.]

ALL

The Prince of Baireuth?

PRINCE

Good evening.

KING

Right, oh! Prince, that you are come. Now, at least, you will have something good about my family to tell them in Rheinsberg. [Aside.] Spy! [Aloud.] But your pipe is cold.

PRINCE (with suppressed anger).

I am hoping that I may find fire enough here.

[The company sit down, the KING and GRUMBKOW at one end of the table, HOTHAM and the PRINCE at the other.]

KING

Lay on, gentlemen—there stand the care-chasers.

SECKENDORF

To His Majesty's health!

KING

No, let us rather drink, after such a day of annoyance and sorrow—let us rather drink to cheer, jollity, and a happy turn of wit!

[They touch glasses with one another. EVERMANN moves about, serving the guests, passing coal for the pipes, and so forth.]

KING (aside).

Grumbkow, I wager it will be right jolly tonight.

GRUMBKOW (aside).

We'll soon begin to tap the Prince.

KING (aside).

Be merciful. His brow is already bedewed with the sweat of anxiety. [Aloud.] Tell me. Prince, since you have windbagged yourself about so much of the world—do they smoke tobacco in Versailles also?

[Illustration: KING FREDERICK WILLIAM I AND HIS "TOBACCO COLLEGIUM"

ADOLPH VON MENZEL]

PRINCE

No. Your Majesty, but I've seen sailors in London who chew it.

KING

Brr! Grumbkow, we'll not introduce that fashion here. It's not because of the taste, but such meals would be right costly.

HOTHAM

Our sailors use tobacco as a remedy for scurvy.

SECKENDORF

What is scurvy?

PRINCE

The scurvy, Count, is a disease which begins with an evil tongue.

KING (aside).

Take notice, Grumbkow, he's pricked. On with the attack.

GRUMBKOW

Eversmann, have the newest Dutch journals arrived?

EVERSMANN

Yes, Your Excellency; full of lies, as usual.

KING

Lies? Then, according to the proverb, that explains why our beer is so sour.

GRUMBKOW

Tell me, Eversmann, is there no news from Ansbach in the journals?

HOTHAM (aside to PRINCE).

Arm yourself.

EVERSMANN (impertinently).

Why should there be news from such a little country?

KING

Be quiet! Prussia also was once a little country. Tell me rather, what do the Dutch write about Prussia?

EVERSMANN

Outrageous things. They say that many deserters have again fled from

Potsdam.

KING

That's not a lie, unfortunately.

PRINCE

But they express themselves with more politeness in Holland.

KING

How then, Prince?

PRINCE

They say that Your Majesty's Guards consist mostly of men who suffer from an abnormal growth. These giants, so they say, have periods where they shoot up to such an extent that they grow and grow beyond the tree-tops and disappear altogether from human ken.

KING

Ha, ha! Wittily expressed. But drink, Prince, drink.

GRUMBKOW

I imagined that Your Highness read only French journals.

PRINCE

I would rather read Prussian newspapers. But, thanks to General von

Grumbkow's policies, no newspaper dare appear in Prussia.

KING

Ha, ha! There you have it! [Aside.] See, see, he's not afraid to speak his mind. 'Twill be a merry night.

HOTHAM (aside to PRINCE).

Not too sharp—be milder at first.

GRUMBKOW (aside).

Seckendorf, it's time to exercise your wit.

SECKENDORF (aside).

Hush—I'm getting something ready. I will choose my own time.

KING

But you're not drinking, Prince. You're expected to drink here. [Aside.] Eversmann, keep his glass well filled—

HOTHAM (aside).

They want to make you drunk. Push your tankard nearer my place.

KING

You know the old Dessauer, Prince?

PRINCE (surprised).

Why, Your Majesty—

KING

But do you know for what great invention mankind is indebted to the old

Dessauer?

PRINCE (aside).

Do you know that, Hotham?

HOTHAM

Damn their cross questioning—say it was gaiters.

PRINCE

Your Majesty wishes to know what—what the old Dessauer invented?

KING

Yes, what did the old Dessauer invent?

SECKENDORF (aside).

Aha, you see, now we have caught him.

PRINCE

It can't be gunpowder, because Count Seckendorf has already discovered that. [All laugh.]

SECKENDORF (aside).

Never mind, Grumbkow, I'll wait the fitting moment.

KING

He invented iron ramrods. Now, you see, my son in Rheinsberg, for all his Homers and Voltaires, and whatever their heathen names may be, that he gathers round him, couldn't think of anything like that. [Aside.] Is he drinking, Eversmann?

HOTHAM (to PRINCE).

Don't let slip your advantage.

PRINCE

Who the devil could think of iron ramrods!

GRUMBKOW (rising).

We'll drink a pleasant journey to His Highness, the Prince Hereditary of

Baireuth. [They all rise except the KING.]

ALL

A pleasant journey.

HOTHAM (aside).

You're done for—you've lost everything.

PRINCE (aside).

It was shameful perfidy!

HOTHAM (aside).

Make him respect you—be as brutal as he is—pretend to be drunk. [They all sit down after having touched glasses amid laughter.]

PRINCE (rises, his tankard in his hand. Speaks as if slightly intoxicated).

Gentlemen—

KING (aside).

I believe he's hipped.

PRINCE

And—and—and—I thank you. [He sits down. They all laugh.]

KING

Bravo, Prince, you are a most excellent speaker.

GRUMBKOW

He's done for, Your Majesty: we must have him make a speech now.

KING

Yes. Give us a speech, Prince.

ALL

A speech—speech!

[The PRINCE rests his head in his hands and does not rise.]

HOTHAM

The question is—what shall he talk about?

KING

About anything—whatever he chooses.

HOTHAM

I could suggest an interesting subject.

KING

Out with it.

HOTHAM

What if he were to discuss some member of this merry company?

KING

'Tis done! And that we need waste no time in choice—let him discuss—me.

ALL (startled).

Your Majesty?

KING

It's very warm here. [Opens his coat.] Let's make ourselves comfortable, Eversmann. Well, Prince—begin. Give us a speech about me.

HOTHAM

Please—

KING

No hesitation—let it be as if I had just died—

HOTHAM

Your Majesty—

KING

Quiet! Silence all. The Prince of Baireuth will give us a speech about me. [Aside.] In vino veritas. I am curious to know whether such a French windbag is composed entirely of falsehoods.

HOTHAM (aside).

This is the decisive moment.

PRINCE (steps forward, he staggers slightly then controls himself).

Merry company!

KING

Merry? I'm dead.

PRINCE

No matter, they're merry just the same.

KING

Gad! is that true?

PRINCE

Merry company—cheerful mourners—permit me to interrupt your enjoyment by a few painful remarks on the qualities of the deceased.

KING

Painful remarks? That's a good beginning.

PRINCE

Friedrich Wilhelm I., King of Prussia, was a great man, in whose character were united the strangest contradictions.

KING

Contradictions!

PRINCE

As with all those who owe their education to their own efforts, so his mind, noble in itself, fell under the influence of disturbing emotions, the saddest of which was distrust.

KING

These are nice things I hear.

PRINCE

He brought his country to a high degree of prosperity, he simplified administration, he improved judicial procedure. But the enjoyment of all these blessings was spoiled for him by his own fault.

KING

Well—well—by his own fault!

SECKENDORF (aside).

The young man must indeed have been drinking heavily.

PRINCE

His vivacity of spirit kept him in a continual unrest which was as painful to others as to himself. When fatigued he could not conceal his desire for pleasant recreation, but his tastes were sufficiently simple to let him prefer satisfying this desire in the bosom of his own family.

EVERSMANN

There'll be a misfortune, surely!

PRINCE

But even here, where he might have reposed on a couch of roses, this unfortunate sovereign made for himself a bed of thorns. His son's unhappy history is so well known that I can pass over it in silence….

KING

In silence—?

PRINCE

Friedrich Wilhelm could not understand the freedom of the human will. He would have grafted stem to stem, son on father, youth on age. In planning to bestow the hand of his charming daughter, now here, now there, it never came to his mind that her heart might have a right to choose—it never occurred to him to ask: "Does my choice make you happy, child?"

KING

Eversmann, take this pipe.

PRINCE

Now he is departed. Those minions who during his lifetime came between the heart of the mother and the heart of the husband and father, those minions tremble now. It remains to be seen how the misunderstood son will dispose of them. The father's deeds will remain the foundation of this state. But a milder spirit will reign in the land; the arts and sciences will outdistance the fame of cannon and bullet. And the soaring eagle of Prussia will now truly fulfil his device, Nec Soli Cedis—or, to put it in German, "Even the sun's glance shall not dazzle thee! Even the sun shall stand aside from out thy path!" [He recollects himself, and after a pause returns to the table, again pretending drunkenness.] Hotham, give me something to drink.

KING (after a pause).

What hour is it?

EVERSMANN

Eleven past, Your Majesty. (Aside.) If we should meet the Prince of

Wales now, woe unto him.

KING (taking a tankard from the table).

Prince, when you have come to your senses tomorrow, let them tell you that the King touched glasses with you.

PRINCE

At Your Majesty's service.

KING

He doesn't understand, Hotham. Translate it into sober language for him. Good night, gentlemen. [He turns again and looks at the PRINCE thoughtfully, repeating the words.] "Does my choice make you happy, child?" [Looking at the PRINCE.] Pity he's only a bookish man.

[EVERSMANN takes up a candlestick with officious haste, brushes angrily past the triumphant HOTHAM and throws a glance of suppressed rage at the PRINCE.]

EVERSMANN

May I light Your Majesty—on your visit to—

KING (interrupts him with the PRINCE'S words).

"These minions tremble—" [After a pause, during which he glances over them all] I would be alone. [He goes out.]

ACT V

A drawing-room in the QUEEN's apartments. A window to the right. Three doors, centre, right, and left. Tables and chairs. Candles on the tables, playing-cards, and tea service.

SCENE I

KAMKE stands on a step-ladder fastening a large curtain over the window. Two lackeys are assisting him.

KAMKE (on the ladder).

There! And now be ready to receive the ladies at the little side stairway. They will arrive in sedan chairs. No noise, do you hear—softly—softly. [The lackeys go out.]

SONNSFELD (comes in from the left).

Ah, at last a festival of which the Prussian Court need not be ashamed.

Kamke, why are you draping that window?

KAMKE

So that our festival may not be observed. [Coming down off the ladder.] Then you too are concerned in this conspiracy?

SONNSFELD

The Queen has taken all responsibility. She risks her own freedom for that of her daughter, and will receive the Prince of Wales tonight in strictest incognito. Is everything in readiness?

KAMKE

You're planning to free the Princess from her imprisonment? That is high treason, remember.

SONNSFELD

It must succeed, at whatever cost. The Queen wishes to see the Princess amid the circle of friends whom she has invited this evening for a secret purpose. The Princess has been instructed. She knows that I will come to her room and remain there in her place to deceive the sentry. She will meet you in the Blue Room.

KAMKE

The Blue Room—where—for the last few nights the White Lady has been seen?

SONNSFELD

She will meet you there—

KAMKE (horrified).

Me?

SONNSFELD

She will speak to you—

KAMKE

Me?

SONNSFELD (pulling him to the door at the right).

Yes, me—I mean you—and you will lead her from the Blue Room—you will take her hand and bring her safely hither by the surest and quickest route.

KAMKE

My lady—whom—whom? The Princess Wilhelmine?

SONNSFELD (going out).

No, no, Kamke, the White Lady—but come quickly now, quickly.

[They both go out.]

SCENE II

FRAU VON VIERECK, FRAU VON HOLZENDORF, and about six more ladies enter cautiously, one by one, through the centre door.

VIERECK

Hush! Step cautiously!

HOLZENDORF (whispering).

It's all quiet here—if only these wretched shoes of mine didn't creak so.

VIERECK (whispering).

What can Her Majesty the Queen be planning for tonight?

HOLZENDORF

Has His Majesty the King gone from home?

VIERECK

I heard it said, at the French Embassy, that His Highness, the Crown

Prince, had come from Rheinsberg—

HOLZENDORF

Doubtless at the same time with His Highness, the Prince of Wales

VIERECK (low).

At the moment both are at the King's Smoker.—They say the Crown Prince has again disagreed with his father on questions concerning the future administration of the state.

HOLZENDORF

Is it possible?

VIERECK

And they say that the Prince of Baireuth tried to bring about a reconciliation, but that the Prince of Wales took the part of the Crown Prince.

HOLZENDORF

The Prince of Wales? Then he has been received?

VIERECK

And the King, so they say, in the heat of the argument, commanded that Princess Wilhelmine, the cause of the quarrel, be sent to Küstrin at once.

HOLZENDORF

Good Heavens, ladies! There are cards on the table. Hush! I hear a noise.

VIERECK

It is the Queen.

[The QUEEN comes in in full toilet. She is excited and yet timorous. The ladies bow.]

QUEEN

Welcome, ladies. I am happy to have about me once again the circle of those who, I know, are devoted to me. Pray sit down. I have decided to be more sociable in future and to have you with me oftener than I have done of late. Will you have a game of cards, Frau von Viereck?

VIERECK

Cards, Your Majesty? For eighteen years now I cannot recall having seen a card in the palace.

QUEEN

We will change all that. Ladies, you have not yet heard my plans, you do not yet know what surprises this evening has in store for you—

HOLZENDORF

Surprises, Your Majesty?

QUEEN (indicating a card-table near the window).

Sit down there, my dear Holzendorf. Try your luck with Frau von Viereck.

VIERECK (aside).

Heavens—play cards there? When every outline of my shadow can plainly be seen through that curtain?

QUEEN (sitting).

Why do you hesitate?

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.]