Kitabı oku: «The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 07», sayfa 22
SCENE IX
The noise of drums in the distance is no longer heard. WILHELMINE left alone, starts as if to follow the PRINCE. Then she turns back hesitating, and walks with uncertain steps to the table. She rings the bell. SONNSFELD comes in, looks at the Princess as if surprised, speaks after a pause.
SONNSFELD
Your Highness commands?
WILHELMINE (as if awakening from a dream).
I? Nothing.
SONNSFELD
Your Highness rang?
WILHELMINE
Yes, I did. My mantilla—my fan—the veil.
SONNSFELD
Your Highness is going out?
WILHELMINE
I am going out.
SONNSFELD
Has Your Highness permission?
WILHELMINE
Permission? Are you beginning to take that tone, too? Fetch the things I want.
[SONNSFELD looks at her, astounded, then goes out.]
WILHELMINE (alone).
I am tired of all this. I am beginning to be conscious of myself, now that I know there is some one who recognizes my meagre worth. The situation here is unbearable. I am weary of this unworthy subordination, this barrack-room service.
[SONNSFELD comes back with mantilla, fan and veil.]
WILHELMINE
You might have chosen the mantilla with the Brussels lace.
SONNSFELD
Your Highness—what is your purpose?
WILHELMINE
Throw the veil about my head. Don't question everything I do. Must I give you an accounting for every trifle?
SONNSFELD
Good Heavens—have you joined your mother in her revolutionary ideas?
WILHELMINE
I have joined no one. I want to show the world that a Princess of Prussia has at least the right to pass from one court of the palace to another of her own free will. I am tired of being tyrannized in this way. The Grand Elector lived for me as well as for the others—the Hohenzollerns are what they are for my sake also. Adieu. [Holds out her hand.] You may kiss my hand. And do not forget that I am the daughter of a king who is forming great and important plans for his child's future, and that this child, even though she should be stubborn enough to refuse to acquiesce in his plans, will still be none the less a Princess of Prussia.
[She turns to go. The centre door opens and ECKHOF comes in, followed by three grenadiers. The door remains open.]
ECKHOF
Halt!
SONNSFELD
Are you to have a Guard of Honor, Princess?
ECKHOF
Grenadiers—front!
[Three more men come in without their muskets. The first carries a Bible, the second a soup tureen, the third a half-knitted stocking.]
ECKHOF (comes forward and salutes the PRINCESS).
May it please your Royal Highness graciously to forgive me, if by reason of a special investigation commanded by His Majesty the King, in consequence of forbidden communication with Castle Rheinsberg, I ask Your Highness to graciously submit to a strict room-arrest, as ordered by His Majesty the King.
SONNSFELD
What's that? Princess!
ECKHOF
Likewise, His Majesty the King has graciously pleased to make the following dispositions First grenadier, front! [The first grenadier marches forward with the Bible.] Your Royal Highness is to learn chapters three to five of the Song of Solomon so thoroughly that the Court Chaplain can examine Your Highness in the same tomorrow morning at five o'clock. Second grenadier, front! [The second grenadier comes forward with the soup tureen.] The food ordered for Your Highness will be brought up from the garrison kitchen punctually every day.
SONNSFELD (opens the tureen).
Dreadful stuff! Boiled beans!
ECKHOF
Third grenadier, front! [The third grenadier comes forward with the half-knitted stocking.] And, finally, His Majesty the King pleases to command Your Highness to knit, every two days, a pair of woolen stockings for the worthy Foundling Asylum of Berlin. May it please Your Royal Highness—this ends my orders.
SONNSFELD (in a tone of despair).
Princess, are these the King's plans for your future?
WILHELMINE (trembling in excitement).
Calm yourself, dear friend. Yes, this is the beginning of a new life for me. The battle is on! Go to my father and tell him—
SONNSFELD
Go to the King and tell him—[To the PRINCESS.] What are they to tell him?
WILHELMINE (with tragic decision).
Tell him that I—
SONNSFELD
Tell him that we—
WILHELMINE
That I—[Her courage begins to fail.] That although we will learn the chapters—
SONNSFELD
And although we will eat the beans—
WILHELMINE
It will not be our fault if [with renewed courage] if in the despair of our hearts—
SONNSFELD (tragically).
We let fall the stitches in the orphan's stockings—
WILHELMINE
And wish that we were merely the Princess of Reuss—
SONNSFELD
Schleiz—
WILHELMINE
Greiz and Lobenstein!
[They go out angrily.]
ACT III
The PRINCESS' room. Attractive, cozy apartment. An open window to the right. Doors centre, right and left. A cupboard, a table.
SCENE I
PRINCESS WILHELMINE leans against the window-casing, deep in thought. SONNSFELD sits on the left side of the room, knitting a child's stocking.
WILHELMINE (aside).
Hour after hour passes! What will the Prince think of me? Or can he have learned my fate already?
SONNSFELD
Did Your Highness speak?
WILHELMINE
No, I—I merely sighed.
SONNSFELD
It seemed as if you were talking to yourself. Don't be too melancholy. You'll soon learn the Bible verses and I'll relieve you of most of the knitting.
WILHELMINE
You are too good—you are kinder to me than I have deserved of you today. That work is tiring you—give it to me.
SONNSFELD
No, let me have it. You take the other one that is started. In this way we will gain time to rest later.
WILHELMINE (listening toward the door).
And we aren't even allowed a word with each other in freedom.
SONNSFELD (rises and looks toward the door).
It is cruel to let soldiers see a Princess humiliated to the extent of knitting stockings.
WILHELMINE
Why complain? It is—of itself, quite nicely domestic. [She knits.]
SONNSFELD
What would the Prince of Baireuth say if he could see you now?
WILHELMINE
The Prince? What made you think of the Prince?
SONNSFELD
You cannot deny that his attentions to you might be called almost—tender—
WILHELMINE
Almost—
SONNSFELD
Such eyes! Such burning glances! I am very much mistaken or it was Your Royal brother's intention, in sending this young Prince to you, to send you at the same time the most ardent lover under the sun.
WILHELMINE
Lovers hold more with the moon.
SONNSFELD
And he shows so great an admiration for you that I am again mistaken if our sentry outside the door there has not already in his pocket a billet-doux addressed to Your Highness—a billet-doux written by the Prince.
WILHELMINE
Sonnsfeld! What power of combination!
SONNSFELD
Almost worthy of a Seckendorf, isn't it? I'll question the man, in any case.
WILHELMINE
Are you crazy?
SONNSFELD (at the door).
Hey, there, grenadier!
ECKHOF (comes in).
At your service, madam. SONNSFELD. Have you a letter for us?
ECKHOF
Please Your Honor, yes.
SONNSFELD (to the PRINCESS).
There you are! [To ECKHOF.] From the Prince of Baireuth?
ECKHOF
Please Your Honor, yes.
WILHELMINE
Where is it? Did you take it?
ECKHOF
Please Your Honor, no. [Wheels and goes out.]
SONNSFELD
What a dreadful country! The general heartlessness penetrates even to the uneducated classes.
WILHELMINE
But how dare the Prince imagine that our sentry could forget all—all sense of propriety in this way?
SONNSFELD
Would you not have accepted it?
WILHELMINE
Never!
[A letter, attached to a little stone, is thrown in at the window.]
SONNSFELD
A letter? Through the window! Oh, how it frightened me!
WILHELMINE
Pick it up.
SONNSFELD (doing so).
But you won't accept it, you say. It can only be from the Prince—and it is addressed to Your Highness.
[Gives her the letter.]
WILHELMINE
To me? Why, then—why shouldn't I accept it? [She opens the letter.] It is—it is from the Prince. [She reads, aside.] "Adored one! Is there to be no end to these cruelties? Have they begun to torture you with England yet? They will come to you and will try to force you into this marriage. But Baronet Hotham, the English Envoy, is my friend and your friend, and will work for you while he seems to be working against you. It is a dangerous game, but it means your freedom and my life. Love comprehends—Love."
SONNSFELD
May I hear?
WILHELMINE
It is a little message of sympathy—from—from one of our faithful servants.
SONNSFELD
The good people are all so fond of you. You must answer it, I suppose?
WILHELMINE. Just a word or two-it is really of no importance whatever.
SONNSFELD. But we need not offend any one. [Aside.] What clever pretending! [Aloud.] Let me try if our grenadier is still as stubborn as before.
WILHELMINE
What are you thinking of?
SONNSFELD
We'll make the trial. [She goes to the door.] Here you—stern warrior—
ECKHOF (in the door).
At your service.
SONNSFELD
Why didn't you take the letter?
ECKHOF
It would mean running the gauntlet for me.
SONNSFELD
We would compensate you for any such punishment.
ECKHOF
You could not.
SONNSFELD
Would money be no compensation?
ECKHOF
Even if shame could be healed by money, that would be the one remedy you couldn't apply.
WILHELMINE
And why?
ECKHOF
Because Your Highness hasn't any money.
SONNSFELD
Dreadful creature!
WILHELMINE (aside).
He knows our situation only too well. We must give up all thought of sending an answer.
ECKHOF
May I go now?
SONNSFELD
Impertinent creature! What is your name?
ECKHOF
Eckhof.
SONNSFELD
Where were you born?
ECKHOF. Hamburg.
SONNSFELD
What have you learned?
ECKHOF. Nothing.
WILHELMINE
Nothing? That is little enough.
SONNSFELD
What did you want to make of yourself?
ECKHOF
Everything.
WILHELMINE (aside).
A strange man! Let us cross-examine him. It will afford us a little amusement at least.
SONNSFELD (to ECKHOF).
We are not clever enough to understand such witty answers. How do you reconcile nothing with everything.
ECKHOF
I grew up in a theatre, but all I ever learned there was to clean the lamps. Our manager discharged his company and I was compelled to take service with a secretary in the post office. But when my new master's wife demanded that I should climb up behind her carriage, as her footman, I took to wandering again. I begged my way to Schwerin and a learned man of the law made me his clerk. The post office and the courtroom were just two new sorts of theatre for me. The addresses on the letters excited my imagination, the lawsuits gave my brain exercise. The desire to create, upon the stage, true pictures of human greatness and human degradation, to depict vice and virtue in reality's own colors, still inspired me, but I saw no opportunity to satisfy it. Then, in a reckless moment, when I had sought to drown my melancholy in drink, fate threw me into the hands of the Prussian recruiting officers. I was dazzled by the handful of silver they offered me; for its sake I bartered away my golden freedom. Since that day I carry the musket. The noisy drums drown the longing that awakens a thousand times a day, the longing for an Art that still calls me as to a sacred mission; the uniform smothers the impulse to create human nobility; and in these drilled, unnatural motions of my limbs, my free will and my sense of personal dignity will perish at last. From such a fate there is no release for the poor bought soldier—no release but death.
WILHELMINE (aside, sadly).
It is a picture of my own sorrow.
SONNSFELD
That is all very well, but you really should be glad that now you are something—as you were nothing before and had not learned any trade.
ECKHOF
I learned little from books but much from life. I understand something of music.
SONNSFELD
Of music? Ah, then you can entertain this poor imprisoned Princess. Your
Highness, where is the Crown Prince's flute?
ECKHOF
I play the violin.
SONNSFELD
We have a violin, too. We have the Crown Prince's entire orchestra hidden here. [She goes to the cupboard and brings out a violin.] Here, now play something for us and we will dance.
WILHELMINE
What are you thinking of? With the Queen's room over there? And the King may surprise us at any moment from the other side.
SONNSFELD
Just a little Française shall be a rehearsal for the torchlight dance at your wedding.
WILHELMINE
You know the King's aversion toward music and dancing.
SONNSFELD
Here, Eckhof, take the violin-and now begin.
ECKHOF (looks about timidly).
But if I—[much moved] Heavens—it is three years since I have touched that noble, that magical instrument.
SONNSFELD
Come now! I'm the cavalier, Princess, and you are the lady.
[ECKHOF plays one of the simple naïve dance tunes of the day. The two ladies dance.]
SONNSFELD
Bravo, Eckhof! This is going nicely—ah, what joy to dance once more!
This way now la—la—la! [She hums the melody.]
SCENE II
During the dance the KING comes in softly through the door to the right. He starts when he sees the dancers and the grenadier playing the violin. They do not notice him. He comes-nearer and attempts to join the dance unobserved.
WILHELMINE
Sonnsfeld, that's not right! Now it's the gentleman's turn. [Holds her hand out behind her back]—Like this.
[The KING takes her hand gently with one finger and dances a few steps.]
WILHELMINE
How clumsy, dear friend. [Dancing.] And your hand is strangely rough today.
[She turns and sees the KING, who had begun to hum the tune in a gruff voice. The three start in alarm. ECKHOF salutes with the violin.]
KING (angry).
Very nice—very pretty indeed! Are these the sayings of Solomon? Music and dancing in my castle by broad daylight? And a Prussian grenadier playing the violin to the prisoner he is set to watch?
SONNSFELD
Pardon, Your Majesty—it was we who forced him.
KING
Forced him? Forced a soldier? Forced him to violate his duty in this devilish manner? I'll have to invent a punishment for him such as the Prussian army has never yet seen.
WILHELMINE
Have mercy, Your Majesty—have mercy!
KING
I'll talk to you later. As for you, Conrad Eckhof, I know that is your name—I will tell you what your punishment shall be. You are discharged from the army that serves under my glorious flag, discharged in disgrace. But you are not to be honored by being sent to a convict company or into the worthy station of a subject. Listen to the fate I have decreed for you. A troop of German comedians has taken quarters in the Warehouse in the Cloister street. These mountebanks—histriones—are in straits because their clown—for whom they sent to Leipzig, has not arrived. You are to take off the honorable Prussian uniform and to join this group of mountebanks, sent there by me, as a warning to every one. You are to become an actor, a clown of clowns-and henceforth amuse the German nation with your foolish and criminal jokes and quips. Shame upon you!
ECKHOF (with a grateful glance to heaven, trying to conceal his joyful excitement).
An actor! Oh, I thank Your Majesty for this most gracious sentence. Conrad Eckhof will endeavor to do honor to himself and his despised new profession.
[Goes out.]
KING
And as for you, my Lady Sonnsfeld, you may, the sooner the better, pack up your belongings and be off to Dresden where my cousin, the Elector of Saxony, has need of just such nymphs and graces for his court fireworks and his ballets.
SONNSFELD (going out, speaks aside).
In his anger he chooses punishments that can only delight any person of refinement. [She goes out.]
KING
Wilhelmine!
WILHELMINE
Your Majesty, what have I done that I am so unhappy as always to arouse your displeasure?
KING
You call me "Majesty" because you lack a daughter's heart for your father. I have brought up my children in the good old German fashion; I have tried to keep all French vanities and French follies far from their childish hearts; on my throne I have tried to prove that Kings may set an example to their subjects, an example of how the simplest honest household may be ruled. Have I succeeded in this?
WILHELMINE
You have punished us severely enough for our faults.
KING
This wigmaker—who was to instruct you in all the ambiguities of the
French language—
WILHELMINE
He was not a wigmaker.
KING. He was.
WILHELMINE
Well, if he was, then you dislike him simply because you are so fond of your horrid pigtail.
KING
The pigtail is a man's best adornment. In that braided hair lies concentrated power. A pigtail is not a wild fluttering mass of disorder about one's head—the seat of the human soul—such as our Hottentot dandies of today show in their long untidy hair. It expresses, instead, a simple, pious and well-brushed order, entwined obedience, falling gently down over the shoulders, fit symbol for a Christian gentleman. But I am tired of this eternal quarreling with you. This present arrest shall be the last proof of my fatherly affection. You will soon be free and mistress of your own actions. I announce herewith that you will shortly be able to come and go at your own discretion.
WILHELMINE
Father!
KING
Is that tone sincere?
WILHELMINE
It comes from a heart that will never cease to revere the best of men.
KING
Then you realize that I desire only your happiness? Yes, Wilhelmine, you will soon be able to do whatever you like, you may read French books, dance the minuet, keep an entire orchestra of musicians. I have arranged all things for your happiness and for your freedom.
WILHELMINE. How may I understand this, father?
KING
You will have horses and carriages, and footmen, as becomes a future
Queen.
WILHELMINE
Queen?
KING
You will see that I do in very truth deserve the name you gave me, the name of the best of fathers. But still—I hear your mother.
WILHELMINE
What—what is going to happen—
KING
Prepare yourself for a weighty moment—the moment of your betrothal.
SCENE III
The QUEEN comes in, leaning on the arm of the PRINCE OF BAIREUTH. HOTHAM and several lackeys follow.
WILHELMINE (aside, surprised).
The Prince!
[The QUEEN bows coldly to the KING.]
KING (equally coldly).
Good morning.
QUEEN (to the PRINCESS).
My dear child, I here present to you the Envoy of the King of England,
Baronet Hotham.
WILHELMINE (bows, speaks aside).
The Prince's friend? How am I to understand all this?
KING
Pardon me, wife, the Prince of Baireuth should take precedence. My dear child, I present to you here the Prince Hereditary of Baireuth.
PRINCE (bows, speaks aside to WILHELMINE).
Do not lose courage. It will all work out for the best.
QUEEN
Have you good news from Ansbach, dear Prince?
PRINCE. (aside).
This eternal mistake of hers. [Aloud.] Your Majesty, I hear there is a plan on foot to transplant Ansbach to Baireuth.
KING. (has been only half listening).
Hush! Let us cast aside all these earthly thoughts and plans and prepare ourselves for a work of sacred import. Sit down by your mother, Wilhelmine.
WILHELMINE
What is going to happen?
KING
You, Prince, as my natural aide—here! Baronet Hotham, you are in the centre.
[The lackeys place the table in the centre of the room and then go off.]
PRINCE (aside).
Hotham—the commercial treaties—
[HOTHAM sits down at the centre of the table, opens the portfolio which he has brought with him, lays out sheets of paper, and examines his pen.]
KING (folding his hands).
In God's name—[After a pause] If I should ask you, my faithful spouse, companion of my life, what a happy marriage is—
QUEEN
Has that anything to do with our daughter's wedding-contract?
KING
Do not interrupt me. You may not be conscious of it—but I am fully aware of how much this solemn moment imports.
HOTHAM
Please Your Majesty—I have already written "In God's name."
KING (looks surprised and pleased).
Did you really write that?
HOTHAM
It is customary to print it at the head of these and similar contracts.
KING
Printing is not as good—the letter killeth, saith the Scriptures; but you may begin now.
HOTHAM
We are concerned here with an affiliation between two nations which, although differing in language, manners, and customs, still have so many points of contact that they should seize every opportunity to come closer to each other.
KING
Couldn't you weave in something there about the English being really descended from the Germans?
HOTHAM
That would lead us too far afield.
KING
Oh, very well, as you say. It was a good beginning.
HOTHAM
Such an opportunity now offers in the mutually expressed wish of the dynasties of England and Prussia, to unite in the bonds of holy matrimony two of their illustrious scions. The Prince of Wales sues for the hand of Princess Wilhelmine.
WILHELMINE
The Prince of Wales?
HOTHAM
His suit is accepted attendant upon the conditions here following.
WILHELMINE. Accepted?
KING
Hush! Do not disturb this solemn procedure by idle chatter.
WILHELMINE
But—but how is this possible—
PRINCE (to the PRINCESS).
Your Highness, the conditions are but just being drawn up.
QUEEN (aside to the PRINCESS).
Do not interrupt. What must the envoy of the elegant court of St. James think of the manners of our Prussian Princesses!
KING
These chattering women! Very good, Baronet Hotham; the beginning was excellent. Don't you think so, Prince?
PRINCE
Certainly, Your Majesty. [Aside] It was odious.
QUEEN
And the conditions? [Aside] I am eager to hear about the dowry.
HOTHAM
First paragraph—
KING
Pardon me, I can tell you that in fewer words. I give my daughter as dowry, forty thousand thalers, and a yearly pin-money of two thousand thalers. I will bear the expense of the wedding. But that is all.
QUEEN (rising).
I trust that this is not Your Majesty's real intention. Baronet Hotham,
I beg you will not include such a declaration in the protocol.
KING (seated).
Not include it in the protocol? H'm—h'm—forty thousand thalers in cash—too little?
HOTHAM
The question of dowry will offer but little difficulty to a country as rich as England. Far more important are the political matters which, in the case of so intimate an alliance, must come up for especial consideration.
KING
Political matters?
HOTHAM
I mean—certain questions and points of discussion which, with your gracious permission, I would now like to present to you.
KING
Questions? Points of discussion? Do you see anything to object to in my daughter? [He rises.]
HOTHAM
Your Majesty, there are certain—advantages for both nations—
KING
Advantages for Prussia? [He sits down again.] You may speak then.
HOTHAM
To take up one point. For this marriage England will confirm without hindrance Your Majesty's investiture of the Duchies Jülich and Berg.
KING
Very decent; thanks.
PRINCE (aside).
Hotham, you fox!
HOTHAM
And furthermore Parliament declares itself willing—
KING
Declares itself willing—
WILHELMINE
What has Parliament to do with it? Am I marrying the two houses of
Parliament?
QUEEN (half aloud).
Be quiet. You don't understand. In England, all political parties have something to say in such matters.
KING (half aside). Yes, child, that would be the country for your mother, wouldn't it? Well?
HOTHAM
Parliament declares itself willing, in case Your Majesty wishes to complete the conquest of Swedish Pommerania, to let the matter pass without an interpellation.
QUEEN (pleased and excited).
Very polite indeed. I should not have believed Parliament would be so amiable. Just think, Wilhelmine, Parliament promises not to interpellate.
WILHELMINE
What sort of a new political torture is that?
KING (to the PRINCESS).
To interpellate means to harass and embarrass the government by continual contradictions, interruptions, and objections. That's why your mother understood it at once. Much obliged, my gear Hotham. My kindest greetings to Parliament. But continue—continue!
PRINCE (aside).
I am on tenter-hooks.
HOTHAM
For these many tokens of unselfish cordiality, for further manifold proofs of political complaisance, to be reviewed by me in detail later, proofs of a sincere desire to be enduringly united with a brother nation—
KING
Well?
HOTHAM
For all this we ask but one little concession, which would make this marriage a true blessing for both countries.
KING
Out with it!
HOTHAM
Prussian industry has now reached a standard which renders England desirous of testing its products under certain conditions of importation. For this—
KING
For this?
HOTHAM
England would feel grateful if the former friendly understanding, interrupted somewhat since Your Majesty's illustrious accession to the throne, if the former friendly commercial understanding—
KING
Understanding?
HOTHAM. Could be restored; and if Your Majesty would graciously decide, on the occasion of this auspicious union, welcomed in England with such rejoicing, to repeal, in part, the present—prohibitive regulations—
KING
What?
HOTHAM
In a word, England asks for a new commercial treaty.
KING
New commercial treaty? Commercial—[He rises, there is a slight pause.] The meeting is adjourned.
QUEEN
What's that?
KING
Is it for this then, that I have sought to raise and ennoble the civilization of my country, that I have furthered commerce and industry, promoted shipping, given an asylum within the state to thousands of religious refugees from France—for this, that now, as the price for the honor of an alliance with England, I should open the door and let in the forbidden English merchandise—to the ruin of my own subjects?
[He goes to the table and rings. A lackey appears.]
KING
My ministers!
QUEEN
What? You would sacrifice your daughter's happiness?
