diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json index 4da6342..12c711a 100644 --- a/package-lock.json +++ b/package-lock.json @@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ "@eslint/eslintrc": "^3.2.0", "@eslint/js": "^9.19.0", "@sveltejs/adapter-static": "^3.0.1", - "@sveltejs/kit": "^2.5.27", - "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte": "^4.0.0", + "@sveltejs/kit": "^2.53.0", + "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte": "^4.0.4", "@tailwindcss/vite": "^4.0.0", "@types/eslint": "^9.6.1", "@types/node": "^24.0.1", @@ -51,34 +51,6 @@ "node": ">=6.0.0" } }, - "node_modules/@cspotcode/source-map-support": { - "version": "0.8.1", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@cspotcode/source-map-support/-/source-map-support-0.8.1.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-IchNf6dN4tHoMFIn/7OE8LWZ19Y6q/67Bmf6vnGREv8RSbBVb9LPJxEcnwrcwX6ixSvaiGoomAUvu4YSxXrVgw==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true, - "dependencies": { - "@jridgewell/trace-mapping": "0.3.9" - }, - "engines": { - "node": ">=12" - } - }, - "node_modules/@cspotcode/source-map-support/node_modules/@jridgewell/trace-mapping": { - "version": "0.3.9", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jridgewell/trace-mapping/-/trace-mapping-0.3.9.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-3Belt6tdc8bPgAtbcmdtNJlirVoTmEb5e2gC94PnkwEW9jI6CAHUeoG85tjWP5WquqfavoMtMwiG4P926ZKKuQ==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true, - "dependencies": { - "@jridgewell/resolve-uri": "^3.0.3", - "@jridgewell/sourcemap-codec": "^1.4.10" - } - }, "node_modules/@esbuild/aix-ppc64": { "version": "0.21.5", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@esbuild/aix-ppc64/-/aix-ppc64-0.21.5.tgz", @@ -1094,6 +1066,23 @@ "win32" ] }, + "node_modules/@standard-schema/spec": { + "version": "1.1.0", + "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@standard-schema/spec/-/spec-1.1.0.tgz", + "integrity": "sha512-l2aFy5jALhniG5HgqrD6jXLi/rUWrKvqN/qJx6yoJsgKhblVd+iqqU4RCXavm/jPityDo5TCvKMnpjKnOriy0w==", + "dev": true, + "license": "MIT" + }, + "node_modules/@sveltejs/acorn-typescript": { + "version": "1.0.9", + "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@sveltejs/acorn-typescript/-/acorn-typescript-1.0.9.tgz", + "integrity": "sha512-lVJX6qEgs/4DOcRTpo56tmKzVPtoWAaVbL4hfO7t7NVwl9AAXzQR6cihesW1BmNMPl+bK6dreu2sOKBP2Q9CIA==", + "dev": true, + "license": "MIT", + "peerDependencies": { + "acorn": "^8.9.0" + } + }, "node_modules/@sveltejs/adapter-static": { "version": "3.0.8", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@sveltejs/adapter-static/-/adapter-static-3.0.8.tgz", @@ -1105,22 +1094,24 @@ } }, "node_modules/@sveltejs/kit": { - "version": "2.16.1", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@sveltejs/kit/-/kit-2.16.1.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-2pF5sgGJx9brYZ/9nNDYnh5KX0JguPF14dnvvtf/MqrvlWrDj/e7Rk3LBJPecFLLK1GRs6ZniD24gFPqZm/NFw==", + "version": "2.53.0", + "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@sveltejs/kit/-/kit-2.53.0.tgz", + "integrity": "sha512-Brh/9h8QEg7rWIj+Nnz/2sC49NUeS8g3Qd9H5dTO3EbWG8vCEUl06jE+r5jQVDMHdr1swmCkwZkONFsWelGTpQ==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "dependencies": { + "@standard-schema/spec": "^1.0.0", + "@sveltejs/acorn-typescript": "^1.0.5", "@types/cookie": "^0.6.0", + "acorn": "^8.14.1", "cookie": "^0.6.0", - "devalue": "^5.1.0", + "devalue": "^5.6.3", "esm-env": "^1.2.2", - "import-meta-resolve": "^4.1.0", "kleur": "^4.1.5", "magic-string": "^0.30.5", "mrmime": "^2.0.0", - "sade": "^1.8.1", - "set-cookie-parser": "^2.6.0", + "set-cookie-parser": "^3.0.0", "sirv": "^3.0.0" }, "bin": { @@ -1130,9 +1121,19 @@ "node": ">=18.13" }, "peerDependencies": { - "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte": "^3.0.0 || ^4.0.0-next.1 || ^5.0.0", + "@opentelemetry/api": "^1.0.0", + "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte": "^3.0.0 || ^4.0.0-next.1 || ^5.0.0 || ^6.0.0-next.0 || ^7.0.0", "svelte": "^4.0.0 || ^5.0.0-next.0", - "vite": "^5.0.3 || ^6.0.0" + "typescript": "^5.3.3", + "vite": "^5.0.3 || ^6.0.0 || ^7.0.0-beta.0 || ^8.0.0" + }, + "peerDependenciesMeta": { + "@opentelemetry/api": { + "optional": true + }, + "typescript": { + "optional": true + } } }, "node_modules/@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte": { @@ -1141,6 +1142,7 @@ "integrity": "sha512-0ba1RQ/PHen5FGpdSrW7Y3fAMQjrXantECALeOiOdBdzR5+5vPP6HVZRLmZaQL+W8m++o+haIAKq5qT+MiZ7VA==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "dependencies": { "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte-inspector": "^3.0.0-next.0||^3.0.0", "debug": "^4.3.7", @@ -1413,42 +1415,6 @@ "vite": "^5.2.0 || ^6" } }, - "node_modules/@tsconfig/node10": { - "version": "1.0.11", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@tsconfig/node10/-/node10-1.0.11.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-DcRjDCujK/kCk/cUe8Xz8ZSpm8mS3mNNpta+jGCA6USEDfktlNvm1+IuZ9eTcDbNk41BHwpHHeW+N1lKCz4zOw==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true - }, - "node_modules/@tsconfig/node12": { - "version": "1.0.11", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@tsconfig/node12/-/node12-1.0.11.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-cqefuRsh12pWyGsIoBKJA9luFu3mRxCA+ORZvA4ktLSzIuCUtWVxGIuXigEwO5/ywWFMZ2QEGKWvkZG1zDMTag==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true - }, - "node_modules/@tsconfig/node14": { - "version": "1.0.3", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@tsconfig/node14/-/node14-1.0.3.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-ysT8mhdixWK6Hw3i1V2AeRqZ5WfXg1G43mqoYlM2nc6388Fq5jcXyr5mRsqViLx/GJYdoL0bfXD8nmF+Zn/Iow==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true - }, - "node_modules/@tsconfig/node16": { - "version": "1.0.4", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@tsconfig/node16/-/node16-1.0.4.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-vxhUy4J8lyeyinH7Azl1pdd43GJhZH/tP2weN8TntQblOY+A0XbT8DJk1/oCPuOOyg/Ja757rG0CgHcWC8OfMA==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true - }, "node_modules/@types/cookie": { "version": "0.6.0", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/cookie/-/cookie-0.6.0.tgz", @@ -1487,6 +1453,7 @@ "integrity": "sha512-MX4Zioh39chHlDJbKmEgydJDS3tspMP/lnQC67G3SWsTnb9NeYVWOjkxpOSy4oMfPs4StcWHwBrvUb4ybfnuaw==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "dependencies": { "undici-types": "~7.8.0" } @@ -1537,6 +1504,7 @@ "integrity": "sha512-vxXJV1hVFx3IXz/oy2sICsJukaBrtDEQSBiV48/YIV5KWjX1dO+bcIr/kCPrW6weKXvsaGKFNlwH0v2eYdRRbA==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "dependencies": { "@typescript-eslint/scope-manager": "8.34.0", "@typescript-eslint/types": "8.34.0", @@ -1736,11 +1704,12 @@ } }, "node_modules/acorn": { - "version": "8.14.0", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/acorn/-/acorn-8.14.0.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-cl669nCJTZBsL97OF4kUQm5g5hC2uihk0NxY3WENAC0TYdILVkAyHymAntgxGkl7K+t0cXIrH5siy5S4XkFycA==", + "version": "8.16.0", + "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/acorn/-/acorn-8.16.0.tgz", + "integrity": "sha512-UVJyE9MttOsBQIDKw1skb9nAwQuR5wuGD3+82K6JgJlm/Y+KI92oNsMNGZCYdDsVtRHSak0pcV5Dno5+4jh9sw==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "bin": { "acorn": "bin/acorn" }, @@ -1768,21 +1737,6 @@ "acorn": ">=8.9.0" } }, - "node_modules/acorn-walk": { - "version": "8.3.4", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/acorn-walk/-/acorn-walk-8.3.4.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-ueEepnujpqee2o5aIYnvHU6C0A42MNdsIDeqy5BydrkuC5R1ZuUFnm27EeFJGoEHJQgn3uleRvmTXaJgfXbt4g==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true, - "dependencies": { - "acorn": "^8.11.0" - }, - "engines": { - "node": ">=0.4.0" - } - }, "node_modules/ajv": { "version": "6.12.6", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ajv/-/ajv-6.12.6.tgz", @@ -1816,15 +1770,6 @@ "url": "https://github.com/chalk/ansi-styles?sponsor=1" } }, - "node_modules/arg": { - "version": "4.1.3", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/arg/-/arg-4.1.3.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-58S9QDqG0Xx27YwPSt9fJxivjYl432YCwfDMfZ+71RAqUrZef7LrKQZ3LHLOwCS4FLNBplP533Zx895SeOCHvA==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true - }, "node_modules/argparse": { "version": "2.0.1", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/argparse/-/argparse-2.0.1.tgz", @@ -1972,15 +1917,6 @@ "node": ">= 0.6" } }, - "node_modules/create-require": { - "version": "1.1.1", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/create-require/-/create-require-1.1.1.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-dcKFX3jn0MpIaXjisoRvexIJVEKzaq7z2rZKxf+MSr9TkdmHmsU4m2lcLojrj/FHl8mk5VxMmYA+ftRkP/3oKQ==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true - }, "node_modules/cross-spawn": { "version": "7.0.6", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/cross-spawn/-/cross-spawn-7.0.6.tgz", @@ -2058,30 +1994,19 @@ } }, "node_modules/devalue": { - "version": "5.1.1", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/devalue/-/devalue-5.1.1.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-maua5KUiapvEwiEAe+XnlZ3Rh0GD+qI1J/nb9vrJc3muPXvcF/8gXYTWF76+5DAqHyDUtOIImEuo0YKE9mshVw==", + "version": "5.6.3", + "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/devalue/-/devalue-5.6.3.tgz", + "integrity": "sha512-nc7XjUU/2Lb+SvEFVGcWLiKkzfw8+qHI7zn8WYXKkLMgfGSHbgCEaR6bJpev8Cm6Rmrb19Gfd/tZvGqx9is3wg==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT" }, - "node_modules/diff": { - "version": "4.0.2", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/diff/-/diff-4.0.2.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-58lmxKSA4BNyLz+HHMUzlOEpg09FV+ev6ZMe3vJihgdxzgcwZ8VoEEPmALCZG9LmqfVoNMMKpttIYTVG6uDY7A==", - "dev": true, - "license": "BSD-3-Clause", - "optional": true, - "peer": true, - "engines": { - "node": ">=0.3.1" - } - }, "node_modules/embla-carousel": { "version": "8.5.2", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/embla-carousel/-/embla-carousel-8.5.2.tgz", "integrity": "sha512-xQ9oVLrun/eCG/7ru3R+I5bJ7shsD8fFwLEY7yPe27/+fDHCNj0OT5EoG5ZbFyOxOcG6yTwW8oTz/dWyFnyGpg==", "dev": true, - "license": "MIT" + "license": "MIT", + "peer": true }, "node_modules/embla-carousel-reactive-utils": { "version": "8.5.2", @@ -2195,6 +2120,7 @@ "integrity": "sha512-ug92j0LepKlbbEv6hD911THhoRHmbdXt2gX+VDABAW/Ir7D3nqKdv5Pf5vtlyY6HQMTEP2skXY43ueqTCWssEA==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "dependencies": { "@eslint-community/eslint-utils": "^4.2.0", "@eslint-community/regexpp": "^4.12.1", @@ -2691,17 +2617,6 @@ "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/sindresorhus" } }, - "node_modules/import-meta-resolve": { - "version": "4.1.0", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/import-meta-resolve/-/import-meta-resolve-4.1.0.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-I6fiaX09Xivtk+THaMfAwnA3MVA5Big1WHF1Dfx9hFuvNIWpXnorlkzhcQf6ehrqQiiZECRt1poOAkPmer3ruw==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "funding": { - "type": "github", - "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/wooorm" - } - }, "node_modules/imurmurhash": { "version": "0.1.4", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/imurmurhash/-/imurmurhash-0.1.4.tgz", @@ -3136,15 +3051,6 @@ "@jridgewell/sourcemap-codec": "^1.5.0" } }, - "node_modules/make-error": { - "version": "1.3.6", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/make-error/-/make-error-1.3.6.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-s8UhlNe7vPKomQhC1qFelMokr/Sc3AgNbso3n74mVPA5LTZwkB9NlXf4XPamLxJE8h0gh73rM94xvwRT2CVInw==", - "dev": true, - "license": "ISC", - "optional": true, - "peer": true - }, "node_modules/merge2": { "version": "1.4.1", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/merge2/-/merge2-1.4.1.tgz", @@ -3361,6 +3267,7 @@ } ], "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "dependencies": { "nanoid": "^3.3.8", "picocolors": "^1.1.1", @@ -3474,6 +3381,7 @@ "integrity": "sha512-e9MewbtFo+Fevyuxn/4rrcDAaq0IYxPGLvObpQjiZBMAzB9IGmzlnG9RZy3FFas+eBMu2vA0CszMeduow5dIuQ==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "bin": { "prettier": "bin/prettier.cjs" }, @@ -3490,6 +3398,7 @@ "integrity": "sha512-5aWRdCgv645xaa58X8lOxzZoiHAldAPChljr/MT0crXVOWTZ+Svl4hIWlz+niYSlO6ikE5UXkN1JrRvIP2ut0A==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "peerDependencies": { "prettier": ">=2.0", "typescript": ">=2.9", @@ -3507,6 +3416,7 @@ "integrity": "sha512-yViK9zqQ+H2qZD1w/bH7W8i+bVfKrD8GIFjkFe4Thl6kCT9SlAsXVNmt3jCvQOCsnOhcvYgsoVlRV/Eu6x5nNw==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "peerDependencies": { "prettier": "^3.0.0", "svelte": "^3.2.0 || ^4.0.0-next.0 || ^5.0.0-next.0" @@ -3747,9 +3657,9 @@ } }, "node_modules/set-cookie-parser": { - "version": "2.7.1", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/set-cookie-parser/-/set-cookie-parser-2.7.1.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-IOc8uWeOZgnb3ptbCURJWNjWUPcO3ZnTTdzsurqERrP6nPyv+paC55vJM0LpOlT2ne+Ix+9+CRG1MNLlyZ4GjQ==", + "version": "3.0.1", + "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/set-cookie-parser/-/set-cookie-parser-3.0.1.tgz", + "integrity": "sha512-n7Z7dXZhJbwuAHhNzkTti6Aw9QDDjZtm3JTpTGATIdNzdQz5GuFs22w90BcvF4INfnrL5xrX3oGsuqO5Dx3A1Q==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT" }, @@ -3833,6 +3743,7 @@ "integrity": "sha512-pzWvFQdvfEfT4Ll/JriAtcG7qmWjcL+x/NSl9Q+FPje5SXukYNp9kcufZ27ydauLLE/dwYMz9XRC8kiwTZmfDA==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "dependencies": { "@ampproject/remapping": "^2.3.0", "@jridgewell/sourcemap-codec": "^1.5.0", @@ -3892,21 +3803,6 @@ } } }, - "node_modules/svelte-check/node_modules/picomatch": { - "version": "4.0.2", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/picomatch/-/picomatch-4.0.2.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-M7BAV6Rlcy5u+m6oPhAPFgJTzAioX/6B0DxyvDlo9l8+T3nLKbrczg2WLUyzd45L8RqfUMyGPzekbMvX2Ldkwg==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true, - "engines": { - "node": ">=12" - }, - "funding": { - "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/jonschlinkert" - } - }, "node_modules/svelte-eslint-parser": { "version": "0.43.0", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/svelte-eslint-parser/-/svelte-eslint-parser-0.43.0.tgz", @@ -4023,52 +3919,6 @@ "typescript": ">=4.8.4" } }, - "node_modules/ts-node": { - "version": "10.9.2", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ts-node/-/ts-node-10.9.2.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-f0FFpIdcHgn8zcPSbf1dRevwt047YMnaiJM3u2w2RewrB+fob/zePZcrOyQoLMMO7aBIddLcQIEK5dYjkLnGrQ==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true, - "dependencies": { - "@cspotcode/source-map-support": "^0.8.0", - "@tsconfig/node10": "^1.0.7", - "@tsconfig/node12": "^1.0.7", - "@tsconfig/node14": "^1.0.0", - "@tsconfig/node16": "^1.0.2", - "acorn": "^8.4.1", - "acorn-walk": "^8.1.1", - "arg": "^4.1.0", - "create-require": "^1.1.0", - "diff": "^4.0.1", - "make-error": "^1.1.1", - "v8-compile-cache-lib": "^3.0.1", - "yn": "3.1.1" - }, - "bin": { - "ts-node": "dist/bin.js", - "ts-node-cwd": "dist/bin-cwd.js", - "ts-node-esm": "dist/bin-esm.js", - "ts-node-script": "dist/bin-script.js", - "ts-node-transpile-only": "dist/bin-transpile.js", - "ts-script": "dist/bin-script-deprecated.js" - }, - "peerDependencies": { - "@swc/core": ">=1.2.50", - "@swc/wasm": ">=1.2.50", - "@types/node": "*", - "typescript": ">=2.7" - }, - "peerDependenciesMeta": { - "@swc/core": { - "optional": true - }, - "@swc/wasm": { - "optional": true - } - } - }, "node_modules/tslib": { "version": "2.8.1", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/tslib/-/tslib-2.8.1.tgz", @@ -4163,6 +4013,7 @@ "integrity": "sha512-MqtmbdNEdoNxTPzpWiWnqNac54h8JDAmkWtJExBVVnSrSmi9z+sZUt0LfKqk9rjqmKOIeRhO4fHHJ1nQIjduIQ==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "dependencies": { "@typescript-eslint/scope-manager": "8.22.0", "@typescript-eslint/types": "8.22.0", @@ -4344,21 +4195,13 @@ "dev": true, "license": "MIT" }, - "node_modules/v8-compile-cache-lib": { - "version": "3.0.1", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/v8-compile-cache-lib/-/v8-compile-cache-lib-3.0.1.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-wa7YjyUGfNZngI/vtK0UHAN+lgDCxBPCylVXGp0zu59Fz5aiGtNXaq3DhIov063MorB+VfufLh3JlF2KdTK3xg==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true - }, "node_modules/vite": { "version": "5.4.14", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/vite/-/vite-5.4.14.tgz", "integrity": "sha512-EK5cY7Q1D8JNhSaPKVK4pwBFvaTmZxEnoKXLG/U9gmdDcihQGNzFlgIvaxezFR4glP1LsuiedwMBqCXH3wZccA==", "dev": true, "license": "MIT", + "peer": true, "dependencies": { "esbuild": "^0.21.3", "postcss": "^8.4.43", @@ -4478,18 +4321,6 @@ "node": ">= 6" } }, - "node_modules/yn": { - "version": "3.1.1", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/yn/-/yn-3.1.1.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-Ux4ygGWsu2c7isFWe8Yu1YluJmqVhxqK2cLXNQA5AcC3QfbGNpM7fu0Y8b/z16pXLnFxZYvWhd3fhBY9DLmC6Q==", - "dev": true, - "license": "MIT", - "optional": true, - "peer": true, - "engines": { - "node": ">=6" - } - }, "node_modules/yocto-queue": { "version": "0.1.0", "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/yocto-queue/-/yocto-queue-0.1.0.tgz", diff --git a/package.json b/package.json index 311fbc4..7ad3091 100644 --- a/package.json +++ b/package.json @@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ "@eslint/eslintrc": "^3.2.0", "@eslint/js": "^9.19.0", "@sveltejs/adapter-static": "^3.0.1", - "@sveltejs/kit": "^2.5.27", - "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte": "^4.0.0", + "@sveltejs/kit": "^2.53.0", + "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte": "^4.0.4", "@tailwindcss/vite": "^4.0.0", "@types/eslint": "^9.6.1", "@types/node": "^24.0.1", diff --git a/src/lib/almanac.ts b/src/lib/almanac.ts index e2d2885..f21a806 100644 --- a/src/lib/almanac.ts +++ b/src/lib/almanac.ts @@ -1,27 +1,31 @@ import { browser } from "$app/environment" import diceChart from "$lib/assets/dice_chart.json" -import almanacText from "$lib/assets/neunhundert-neun-und-neunzig-und-noch-etliche-almanachs-lustspiele.xml?raw" +import germanAlmanacText from "$lib/assets/neunhundert-neun-und-neunzig-und-noch-etliche-almanachs-lustspiele.xml?raw" +import englishAlmanacText from "$lib/assets/rolling-the-dice-for-999-and-many-more-almanac-comedies.xml?raw" import xslStyle from "$lib/assets/transform.xsl?raw" import { validateDiceChart, validateSegments } from "$lib/validate" import { xsltTransform } from "$lib/xslt" +type Locale = "de" | "en" + export class Almanac { - static segmentsCache: Record | null = null - static segmentsPromise: Promise> | null = null + static segmentsCache: Partial>> = {} + static segmentsPromise: Partial>>> = {} - static getDom() { + static getDom(locale: Locale = "de") { if (!browser) { throw new Error("getDom is only available in the browser") } - return new window.DOMParser().parseFromString(almanacText, "text/xml") + const text = locale === "de" ? germanAlmanacText : englishAlmanacText + return new window.DOMParser().parseFromString(text, "text/xml") } - static async getSegments(): Promise> { - if (this.segmentsCache) return this.segmentsCache - if (this.segmentsPromise) return this.segmentsPromise + static async getSegments(locale: Locale = "de"): Promise> { + if (this.segmentsCache[locale]) return this.segmentsCache[locale]! + if (this.segmentsPromise[locale]) return this.segmentsPromise[locale]! - this.segmentsPromise = (async () => { - const dom = this.getDom() + this.segmentsPromise[locale] = (async () => { + const dom = this.getDom(locale) const segments: Record = {} const segmentDivs = dom.querySelectorAll('div[type="segment"]') @@ -33,11 +37,11 @@ export class Almanac { await Promise.all(promises) validateSegments(segments, 200 * 6) - this.segmentsCache = segments + this.segmentsCache[locale] = segments return segments })() - return this.segmentsPromise + return this.segmentsPromise[locale]! } static getDiceChart() { @@ -52,9 +56,9 @@ export class Almanac { return diceChart[roll - 1][pips - 1] } - static async getSegment(roll: number, pips: number): Promise { + static async getSegment(roll: number, pips: number, locale: Locale = "de"): Promise { const id = this.getSegmentId(roll, pips) - return { id, html: (await this.getSegments())[id] } + return { id, html: (await this.getSegments(locale))[id] } } } diff --git a/src/lib/assets/cross-circled.svg b/src/lib/assets/cross-circled.svg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..70c59fc --- /dev/null +++ b/src/lib/assets/cross-circled.svg @@ -0,0 +1,5 @@ + + + + + diff --git a/src/lib/assets/info-circled.svg b/src/lib/assets/info-circled.svg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..31dcb07 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/lib/assets/info-circled.svg @@ -0,0 +1,5 @@ + + + + + diff --git a/src/lib/assets/neunhundert-neun-und-neunzig-und-noch-etliche-almanachs-lustspiele.xml b/src/lib/assets/neunhundert-neun-und-neunzig-und-noch-etliche-almanachs-lustspiele.xml index 4b27e15..029550b 100644 --- a/src/lib/assets/neunhundert-neun-und-neunzig-und-noch-etliche-almanachs-lustspiele.xml +++ b/src/lib/assets/neunhundert-neun-und-neunzig-und-noch-etliche-almanachs-lustspiele.xml @@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ initial conversion from source minor corrections minor corrections + add scene titles missing in original @@ -2507,7 +2508,7 @@ Das Kammerm.

Richtig. Und das Stück könnte heißen. U. A. z. n., oder: Der geprellte - Akte.

+ Alte.

 Die Nichte. @@ -3531,6 +3532,8 @@
+ Dritter Auftritt. + Die Vorigen. Der Liebhaber. Der Liebh. (sie umfassend) @@ -5996,6 +5999,7 @@
+ Vierzehnter Auftritt. Der Oheim. Das Kammermädchen. @@ -8718,6 +8722,7 @@
+ Vierzehnter Auftritt. Der Oheim. Das Kammermädchen. Der Diener. (Der Letztere ist auffallend als Stutzer gekleidet. Er spricht im Berlinischen, sächsischen, pommerschen oder im Mecklenburger-Bauern-Dialekt; wie es dem diff --git a/src/lib/assets/rolling-the-dice-for-999-and-many-more-almanac-comedies.xml b/src/lib/assets/rolling-the-dice-for-999-and-many-more-almanac-comedies.xml new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ea5b681 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/lib/assets/rolling-the-dice-for-999-and-many-more-almanac-comedies.xml @@ -0,0 +1,9637 @@ + + + + + + + Rolling the Dice for 999 and Many More Almanac Comedies + + Simplicius + + Georg + Nikolaus + Bärmann + + Q1505487 + 107968169 + + + AI-assisted translation and correction by + Roya Zendebudie + Frank Fischer + + + + RA5 of EXC2020 »Temporal Communities« at Freie Universität Berlin + https://www.temporal-communities.de/research/digital-communities/ + + + CC0 1.0 + Licence + + + + + + Wikisource + https://de.wikisource.org/wiki/Neunhundert_neun_und_neunzig_und_noch_etliche_Almanachs-Lustspiele_durch_den_Würfel + +

In the public domain.

+ + Simplicius (= Georg Nikolaus Bärmann: + Neunhundert neun und neunzig und noch etliche Almanachs-Lustspiele durch den + Würfel. Das ist: Almanach Dramatischer Spiele für die Jahre 1829 bis 1961. Ein Noth- + und Hülfs-Büchlein für alle stehenden, gehenden und verwehenden Bühnen, so wie für + alle Liebhabertheater und Theaterliebhaber Deutschlands. + Zwickau: Gebrüder Schumann + 1829. + + + + + + initial commit of translated file + + + + + + + + Rolling the Dice for 999 and Many More Almanac Comedies + + by SIMPLICIUS, Master of Liberal Arts + + „Travaillez pour la gloire.“ + Boileau. + + + + +
+ Rolling the Dice for 999 and Many More Almanac Comedies + + + „– Dans l’art dangereux de rimer et d’écrire, + Il n’est point de degrés du médiocre au pire.“ + + Boileau. + +
+ + The Niece. +

My Guardian – –

+ +
+
+ + Dramatis Personae: + Uncle Adam. + Niece Eva. + Her Chambermaid. + The Niece’s Lover. + His Servant. + + +

(The scene is a room with a central door and side doors.)

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Will he keep me waiting much longer?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

You know that my guardian – –

+ +
+
+ He Must Say Yes. + A Comedy in One Act. +
+
+ Second Scene. + The Niece. The Chambermaid. + + The Chamberm. +

Your faithful maid will certainly come.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (aside) +

A touching sight! Since yesterday morning, when they last saw and kissed each other, + the warmth of their hearts remains unchanged!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (to herself) +

I’ll leave them alone to bill and coo. My pigeon is probably already waiting for me + too. (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Speak, queen of my heart!

+ + + The Niece. +

The separation that lies before us – –

+ +
+
+ + Dramatis Personae: + Major von Winter. + Amalia von Frühling, his niece. + Rosette, her chambermaid. + Captain von Sommer. + Blitz, his servant. + + +

(The scene is a richly furnished room.)

+ +
+
+ Third Scene. + The former. The Lover. + + The Lover. +

Bliss of my life! (He rushes into her arms.)

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Ah! Surely another letter from – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

The grief of love shall overwhelm us in excess – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

My uncle wants to wed me to the country squire – –

+ +
+
+ First Scene. + + The Niece + (alone, pacing impatiently.) +

No, already two minutes past the appointed hour, and still he is not here! Hark! – + „Do I not hear footsteps echo?” Isn’t there noise in the corridor? – No, it’s the + little dog in the hall, who quails at Miez, the gray tomcat. – – Ah! I feel like a + cloistered maiden walled up alive! – – He is still not coming. If I did + not love him so exceedingly, I would give him a sound scolding for not being punctual + – – But hush – Who goes there? Ha! My maid?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

My case is won, I have a fortune; so I see no reason – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Could you think me so frivolous, as to leave my maternal inheritance in my uncle’s + hands, and with hasty step flee with you – –?

+ + + The Lover. +

A hasty wedding has ne’er been rued! So if it must be – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Would you make a jest of our plight?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

By marrying me to the son of his old friend, my uncle and guardian seeks to make me + wretched.

+ +
+
+ Second Scene. + The Niece. The Chambermaid. + + The Chamberm. +

In any case, I am. You can count on me.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Whatever may come to pass: If you are mine, I defy a world full of adversities.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

I am already in love – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

But the one I have chosen – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

He has won his lawsuit; therefore – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Is he here?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

My future – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Dearest and best of Guardians – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

But I have already given away my heart – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

What care I for the lawsuits of young fops! You know my conclusion, and with that – + enough!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

He will be here shortly.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Nay, a foolish –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Little worm! Would you shine, and it is not yet Saint John’s Eve?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Have but a little patience with me yet, I implore you with the fervour of a + child!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Though I am your ward, yet I am not your slave –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Dearest friend! Shall the tender bond of marriage ever unite me with him?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

A commonplace child from some fashionable novelette!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Miss, compose yourself!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

March! off to your chamber.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Could it be? Even imprisonment – –?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Who would despair!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Quickly, bring him in as well! We are unobserved. He must help us think this through. + – – A troublesome matter for many a young gentleman!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– That would compel you – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

How can you doubt? Had I not held him back, he would have flown at the old man’s + throat. He is standing outside in the antechamber.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (entering) +

Is it true, then?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

According to my Guardian’s will – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Heavens! What a barbarian!

+ +
+
+ Ninth Scene. + The Chambermaid. The Lover. The Servant. +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Cunning? „That is in my department!“ exclaims a famous writer of plays of cunning and + comedy.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Excellent! That has the metallic ring of genuine lover’s speech! (to the + Chamberm.) Say then, my confederate, where shall we stitch our little piece + of roguery?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Let us think no more on that! It might spoil our entire good humour, + especially if that letter which arrived late last evening – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Here is my master, and here I am.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Confounded machinations of some match-making old man!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

How? But not by any stale, much-abused stage-device –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Out with it, sly dog! (To the Chamberm.) There’s no eavesdropper + about, is there?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

What? A letter – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Strictly speaking, it is improper to disclose the plot of such a comedy beforehand; + yet I am a genius, certain of my success, and so shrink not from publicity.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Hm! Dare I? Yes, I dare. Even were my conspiracy betrayed, even were it reported to + the old man; even if he were wiser than, in a like case, the late Signor Doria of + Genoa – still I retain my courage; as it were, a Fiesco in the republic + of cunning servants. Nor will my master betray me, and to you (to the + chambermaid, whom he attempts to kiss, though she either rebuffs him or, if she + fancies, may allow it) – to you I press a seal upon your lips.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What? Do not think I shall stoop to one of those insipid stage-servants who achieve + success by some exhausted stratagem – – –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

You torture me when you do not speak more plainly.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Patience! Time will bring counsel. Here is a bringer of comfort.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

So then, the name must remain secondary. They mean to make it hard for me. I am to + carry out a most particular intrigue. Well! Two hundred ducats must be earned.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Know then, you my astonished confidants: the bridegroom is already here.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Yes. I am that unfortunate, foredoomed lover. (to the Chamberm.) Tell + me then, what is his name?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

So, we know not his name, we know not his character. In truth, we know nothing of him + – so much the better! All the harder he is to portray; and thus all the easier for me. + I shall create a character for him.

+ +
+
+ Third Scene. + The former. The Lover. + + The Lover. + (rushing into her arms) +

My adored one!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Indeed, I am that pitiful soul, from whose very lips they would snatch away the bride + – (to the Chamberm.) Does he not move thy pity? – Come, tell me + quickly, what is his name?

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

I am dizzy!

+ + + The Lover. +

Do you mean to mock us?

+ + (simultaneously.) + +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Arch-rogue!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Quick then! I’ll throw myself into the part. The old man knows me not, and if he does + know me, yet he must not know me. That suffices me; and so he shall not know me!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

At last you draw near to this heart!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

You! You! Be not too forward!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Take heed, that you say not too much.

+ +
+
+ Tenth Scene. + The Lover. The Servant. +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Agreed, you womanly Cartouche, you Black Fritz! But make haste, and bring me the fish + even as you took it. In the hut by the pond I wait for you. –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (aside) +

A notable instance of German fidelity! Yesterday they were together: today they begin + afresh. A love such as one hardly finds, even upon the stage!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Do so. But quickly! You shall find me in the garden by the orangery.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Guard your tongue. I may take offence.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Now, do not be angry, dear sir. I was but imagining myself into the role of an + ordinary comedy-servant, and – – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Then shall we go?

+ +
+
+ + + The Niece. +

What bliss, to be with you!

+ + + The Lover. +

Could I live without you?

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Lover. +

So go ahead, and act according to your former speeches. You are, after all, the soul + here; I am but the body.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Hm! Very good! Almost fine, one might say, were it not entirely within + the order of things. – Well then, forward, knavish servant!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

At your service. A modern servant, whom his master is compelled to employ in weighty + matters, may be impudent enough to say everything to his master’s face; only, he must + yield at the right moment, to show who is the servant and who the master.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Even if I truly be that; yet are all the virtues so united in me, that I must needs + be modest, and –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (to herself) +

Oh, oh! How my little heart flutters at this sight! Out to my darling; surely he is + not far. (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Indeed, sir. Already for the second time today I am here. You were not to be spoken + with earlier.

+ +
+
+ + (Alone, coming from the cabinet) +

Here is the letter. I rightly pilfered it away – – Now where is my sly fox? Ah! he’s + already gone – His master with him. Quickly, after them – – Wait! Hark! The old man! + He is speaking with someone. Away, swiftly, down the back stairs to my disguised one. + (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant + (exit.) + + + The Lover + (with him.) + +
+
+ Twelfth Scene. + The Uncle. The Lover. (Both enter at once.) +
+
+ Fourth Scene. + The Niece. The Lover. + + The Niece. +

But enough of tenderness! Let us now rather examine – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Permit me to tell you that you are half mistaken. I seek not your ward’s fortune, but + solely the possession of my beloved, and thus I beg – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

In truth! My astonishment leaves me speechless to send her back. What do you want of + me? Do you truly dare to inquire of me? Truly wish to speak with me, after I – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Why do you deny me my plea?

+ +
+
+ Eleventh Scene. + The Chambermaid. +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Tell me, what lies upon your heart –

+ + + The Niece. +

My uncle’s plans for me – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Because I cannot abide you.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Vain hope, my romantic young sir! We are speaking of another sort of flight. Mr. von + ** shall take my ward, this tender dove, under his wings; for he comes –

+ + + The Lover. +

What do you say?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

All Guardians, as per popular custom, are drawn from your comedies.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Your Grace would consume her goods and chattels alone. My niece shall now and never + dip into the same dish with you.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Heavens! How shall we attain our goal?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

I heard of your renewed cruelty toward the pitiable girl. You are a tyrant!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I simply do not wish you to be the husband of my ward.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

All that touches me not; I am consistent.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Free shall she emerge from the dungeon’s night, my beloved, whom you, like Elizabeth + once did the Scottish Mary, do unlawfully imprison. Yet despite your obstinate temper, + you will yourself be forced, when the fair one’s prison gate opens, to serve as jailer + at her release!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

To a withered friendship of my uncle’s must I give fresh nourishment, by giving my + hand in wedlock to the son of his old hunting companion.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Hoho! Miscalculated, Master Nürnberger. I still have the girl, and from my hands + shall she receive the one who comes –

+ + + The Lover. +

Well?

+ +
+
+ Thirteenth Scene. + The former. The Chambermaid. +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

There you hear it!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Well? Where is he then?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Prepare thyself to flee with me. No matter what our asylum be called, whether + Kenilworth, or – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

I depart.

+ +
+
+ Thirteenth Scene. + The Chambermaid. The former. +
+
+ + The Lover. +

A daring game I was forced to play. The old man I had to assure, he will, without + doubt, suspect nothing now.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

This is no place for me to remain.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

To virtue, as to love, I am true; thus –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

In Heaven’s name!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Wherefore, since you are entirely superfluous here?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

As you please.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Would yet be but useless.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

True, I have lost the suit for my modest inheritance; but I can labour to sustain us + – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Your most obedient servant!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (Exit.) + + + The Chamberm. +

The one who was written for has arrived!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Bring him hither.

+ + + The Chamberm. + (opens the central door.) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What means such speech? Am I not decent, not obliging, not agreeable, not welcome, + not pleasing, not sufficient, not satisfactory, not pacifying, not rectifying enough + for you?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

How now, my lord? What thoughts do you entertain of me? Do I seem otherwise to you + than I do to myself? How were that possible? As I think of myself, so ought the whole + world to think of me. Do I not appear to you charming, agreeable, delightful, + beneficial, excellent, superb, enchanting, striking, venerable, amiable, perfect, + inimitable – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Shall I, by marrying against my uncle’s will, run the risk of losing my not + inconsiderable fortune?

+ + + The Lover. +

Indeed, if – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Upon my honour! I know not myself – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Missed the mark! To that question I shall never reply.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle + (angrily) +

Well then! What is your name?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

How? And yet I should be compelled to ask?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

In many a comedy the wards may flee with their lovers without their dowry. I do not + do the one without the other; thus it is necessary – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Can such an important document lack the mention of my name? Therefore, to prevent + substitution, confusion, and fraud, I must ask you: what is + my name, my lord – – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. + (angrily) +

To the devil with it, your name is Baron von **

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

My dear Sir, a fool can ask more questions in a single breath than ten wise people + can answer in an hour.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

All the thousand devils upon your accursed eloquence, and upon your yet more accursed + presumptuousness! Well then, what is your name?

+ +
+
+ Fifth Scene. + The former. The Chambermaid. + + The Chamberm. +

Quick! Quick! Do you want to be caught here? The master is coming through the + corridor. Away! Out this way! (All exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That I was bound to demand; for your own sake. I wish to see you, as soon as may be, + upon one and the same intellectual level with myself. I abhor all spirit of caste. I + love my fellow humans beyond measure, and I carry with me the great thought of + reforming them all, wherever and in whatever they stand in need. With you I begin, by + showing you how foolish it is to ask after things one already knows.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Errare humanum or humanum est. But better is + better. Do not remain in error. Rather think upon the letter which my father wrote + you.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Well, I think so; but – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Ah, the devil take it! You know as well as I do that you are the young Baron von ** + –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

There we have it! So you do know. Why then did you wish to ask? Why indeed did you + ask? And yet! If we consider it rightly, you should still have asked my name + nonetheless.

+ +
+
+ Sixth Scene. + + The Uncle + (alone; a folded letter in his hand.) +

„The oysters are here, the caviar is here, the pâté is here; thus – engagement!“ says + the famous Kotzebue in the still more famous comedy: The Epigram; which is therefore + the most famous of all epigrams, for no man’s ear has ever heard it. I say: the letter + is here, I am here, and my niece is here, and the bridegroom Thaddäus Bocklümmel shall + arrive, today or tomorrow. Thus: tomorrow is the engagement – and that is final! My + Niece, this resisting and fondling with that Monsieur there, we are weary of it. – Ho + there! Where is she hiding? (He rings. The Chambermaid enters.) + Quickly! Fetch me your young lady.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

At once. (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle + (stealthily draws forth a key and gives it to the Chambermaid, whispering + something to her.) +

You shall be served presently, my good sir.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

I understand. (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Does it at last become clear that you asked without necessity? Or more precisely: + that you asked nonetheless, because you had, in truth, to ask?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

What? What are you saying there?

+ + + The Chamberm. + (secretly to the Servant) +

You go too far! Back down!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

There exists no opposition on the part of your Niece to my engagement with her?

+ +
+
+ Seventh Scene. + The Uncle. The Niece. + + The Niece. +

You summoned me, my Guardian – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

So it is. Let us marry first and get to know each other afterward; for in me there is + much, very much, exceedingly much, indescribably much, exceedingly much, unspeakably + much, untamably much, enormously much to become acquainted with. I therefore doubt + that you shall finish the task before our wedding; thus let us conclude the contract + without further ado.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

I need not even find words. No is quickly said, and so I say: No, no, no!

+ + + The Uncle. +

What? (secretly to her) You wayward girl!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

By no means! When I wish to hear something, I have enough in, by, from, with, and of + myself to listen to.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Understand: My niece has no will whatsoever in this matter. Only my will is of + consequence here; only this shall the notary incorporate into a properly worded + contract and lay before you for signature.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Must? So – force? Very well! Might before right? Thereby you authorise me to commit + against you the most flagrant injustice imaginable, and that I shall do. As soon as I + have signed that accursed contract, I shall play you every prank that lies within my + power. Your poultry yard, I know it, your pheasantry – at the inn they told me of it – + is your Sans-Souci, your Mon-Repos. Just you + wait! I’ll rally the sprightly youth of the village, and before ten minutes have + passed, your pheasants shall be running about naked and the plucked hens shall raise + such a clamour – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Exactly so, Miss Dreamface: the bridegroom is near at hand, and the moment he + arrives, you shall be betrothed to him – prepare yourself accordingly.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Nothing further shall be necessary than to sign the contract; for since your heart is + free, as the good Uncle says, you shall, without hesitation, choose me.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

You are a passionate smoker, that is town gossip. Very well! As soon as you place a + pipe in your mouth, it shall be coated within with aloe and ipecacuanha; the tobacco I + shall not poison, but I shall mix saltpetre into it.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Madman!

+ + + The Servant. +

I shall daub over your picture gallery in such a fashion that Rembrandt and Le Sueur + shall look as though the chimney-sweep’s boy had wiped his nose and ears upon + them.

+ +
+
+ Sixteenth Scene. + The former. The Lover. + + The Lover. +

Anxious concern drives me to you. One can hear the tumult in this house even from the + street outside. Who is the stranger?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Lightning from clear skies! My Guardian, I implore you – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

But in mercy’s name! Hear me, I beg you!

+ + + The Servant. +

I will hear nothing, but from me you shall hear, shall this gentleman hear, shall all + hear.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

You mean that in earnest?

+ + + The Lover. +

On my honour as a man!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

This instant, if you so will.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Good! But first let the word be kept.

+ + + The Lover. +

As spoken!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Farewell! + (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. + (removing his false hair) +

With honour I proclaim – my work!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Mademoiselle Finicky is weeping, no less?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Then my beloved and I have long since exchanged our place of residence.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Bravo! Let the bridegroom from the country, and from Paris and London, see how he + manages. We bring our little flock into the dry, so that our comedy finds its end; for + that from my jest, once made public, any one of the countless famed playwrights of + Germany will make a comedy is – –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Indeed! A comedy. But what title shall it bear?

+ + + The Niece. +

No need for long pondering. It shall be called: The Uncle Who, Though Seeing, + Is Blind.

+ + + The Lover. +

That were ungrateful of us; better we entitle it: No Barrier Resists + Love.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Long titles also find admirers, so better still: As They Will, Not as He + Wills.

+ + + The Servant. +

Precisely, and: „From the English: „As You Like It;“ so that not + every evening the playbill reads: „From the French.“

+ +
+
+ End of the Comedy. +
+
+ + The Niece. +

My golden dream of wedded bliss –

+ +
+
+ Final Scene. + The Lover. The Niece. The Chambermaid. The Servant. + + The Niece. +

Has there indeed a transformation befallen me?

+ +
+
+ Without Cunning No Love Succeeds. + A Comedy in One Act. +
+
+ First Scene. + + The Niece + (alone at the window.) +

In vain I stare out into the dawn. I see him not coming. And yet he knows this is the + best hour to whisper a word of intimacy with me. Ah! I am truly unhappy. To be sure, + many a maiden has fared as I do: From a hundred and a hundred more comedies the same + may be confirmed. But what avails it me? Though the spectators may have watched such + plays nine hundred and ninety-nine times with delight: can that make me happy? Can + that still the longing of my heart for my beloved? (Steps back from the + window.) Who comes? Ha! Is it you?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

He draws nigh on the wings of love.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

The bridegroom’s affair, not mine.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Yes, from that side your little love-ship has poor wind; and it will have worse, once + the letter which my uncle late last evening – –

+ +
+
+ + Dramatis Personae. + Chamber-Councillor Tromsdorff. + Ernestine, his niece + Riekchen, her chambermaid + Privy-Secretary Höfling. + Windig, his servant. + + +

(The Scene: a chamber.)

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

My chosen one!

+ +
+
+ + + The Niece. +

Upon thy breast vanishes every fearful foreboding.

+ + + The Lover. +

With thee, Heaven; without thee, Hell!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Niece. +

But I no longer belong to myself –

+ +
+
+ Fourth Scene. + The Niece. The Lover. + + The Niece. +

Let us sip but moderately from the chalice of love, and above all reflect – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Endless distress!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Another letter –?

+ +
+
+ Third Scene. + The former. The Lover. + + The Lover. + (entering) +

Dearest maiden. (He embraces her.)

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Forget-me-not tales!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What should happen, then? Am I not independent?

+ +
+
+ Fifth Scene. + The former. The Chambermaid. + + The Chamberm. +

Quickly! The old man is coming. Follow me. (All exit.)

+ +
+
+ Seventh Scene. + The Uncle. The Niece. + + The Niece. +

How may I serve you, my uncle?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

No more delay! Your bridegroom is come, or will be anon; perchance this very day. + Your engagement to him is settled. Therefore, make yourself ready to give him your + Yes.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

So I am to part, then, from the sweet love of my – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

That does not happen so quickly.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

So truly you believe I should act irrationally were I to leave my not inconsiderable + fortune in my uncle’s hands, in order to – with you –

+ + + The Lover. +

Would my love be pure, if it looked upon your dowry?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

But my beloved – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Indeed, his lawsuit was lost to him; yet he has – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Who is a coward, who has neither wit nor discernment, and above all, no money.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

My hope – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Mademoiselle, do you take me for an uncle from a comedy in an almanac, with whom ward + and lover may do as they please? Your chosen one is a – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

That is a matter for your irrevocably appointed husband.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Have I not spoken clearly enough, Miss Moonshine?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

With lawsuit lost or won, his love and my fidelity shall – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

You are murdering me!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

A girl –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

No, a super-clever one –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Hoho! The bridegroom will bawl, hug, and kiss you into wakefulness –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Won or lost, lost or won: It is my procedure that is in question, and + this commands you to obey, and that without any contradiction.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Do not suddenly ruin me. Grant me time, a small reprieve.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Bring him; we must take counsel (the servant exits) (alone.) The old + man is away; Holland is in distress – Help! Rescue!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece + (entering.) +

My Guardian?

+ +
+
+ Eighth Scene. + + The Chambermaid + (quietly entering.) + +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Only a little more time to reflect; I implore you!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Rescue! Rescue! O Love!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Cruel old man!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

That shall not go unrewarded.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Quite right! Such well-styled speeches one may hear a hundred times and still delight + in them. (to the Chambermaid) Well then, my little sly one, how shall + we set about it?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

In vain! All objections are at an end. I know by heart your litany on this subject. + Heaven knows what famous authors they be, from whose more famous comedies you have + learnt them.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Indeed, she is in bonds.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Be calm, Sir. There is but one remedy here, and it must be employed: it + is called cunning!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Quick, out with it! – But wait, are we being eavesdropped upon?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

I have done the listening. The confounded bridegroom is announced, for tomorrow, for + today –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Cruel fathers are dreadful; tyrannical uncles the most dreadful thing of all for + youthful love. Rightly are they brought upon the stage in all their deformity, since + life, real life, counts at least one specimen of such uncles, and that + specimen is you!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Hm! »To be or not to be, that is the question!« – so once said some old Italian or + Scotsman. Should I betray my plan? Would that not weaken the catastrophe? No matter! + My applause is golden nonetheless.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Well then, one seeks the goal upon untrodden paths.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

I burn with desire to see through your plan.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Exactly. Even if I carry out the plan entirely alone, there must first be + understanding between the parties. The comedy is thereby extended by at least + one scene, and such patch-scenes are the jewels in the golden circlet + of excellent comedies. – So then, though I shall execute the affair + alone, I will nonetheless confide it to you beforehand.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Is that meant to be wit, or defiance, or perhaps even both? Miss! Miss!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

So then! The bridegroom of your beloved is no longer expected – he is already + here!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Behold me, and you shall know what he looks like.

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

More! More!

+ + + The Lover. +

Sensible! Sensible!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

I must have been born for the stage, for I am to portray a man whom I know not at + all, have never seen, whose name I do not even know, who, thus, in truth, is no man at + all for me and cannot be.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

You are turning me into a corpse before my time.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Pst! That would be throwing out the child with the bathwater. Who here is to carry + off the spoils of the stratagem? Answer: I! You shall have only the bride and with + that you must be content.

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

Are you rambling?

+ + + The Lover. +

Excellent!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Wait! Something comes to mind: the letter the uncle received yesterday, it might shed + some light; be of aid.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (exits with a curtsey.) + +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Hoho! were we speaking of a cancelled ball. Girls all want to marry + (sings) »Such is the course of the world« –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Then at least let me know – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Do not run off just yet. First take this earnest-money for faithful service beneath + Cupid’s banner.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Then be swift. I shall costume myself in the meantime. The old man must not recognise + me, though he knows me, and yet he shall have his joy or his anger because of me.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (curtsies and exits.) + +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Then I am to count for nothing in your eyes, nothing but – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

You are, after all, a good soul! One cannot be angry with you. – So onward then!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Permit me, gracious Sir! (He draws a brush from his pocket, takes the hat from + his hand, brushes it, and returns it with a courteous bow.)

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What is such an act called?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What would you mean by that?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

A fine model for a heroine of an almanac tale.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Then go, so that I may know where I am to go. Thus let the master follow the + servant.

+ +
+
+ Eleventh Scene. + The Chambermaid. +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Certainly, sir. I wanted to speak with you an hour ago already; but you were not yet + to be seen.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, I have not yet shown myself, that is, not to you. You + wish only to sing to me old, repugnant songs; variations whose theme is my niece and + her money-bag.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

No. A subject fit to supply the saddest of romances – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Spare all your efforts. I belong to the unrelenting. Is that not known to you from + comedies? Then do not wonder if I hold to my No.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant + (exits.) + + + The Lover. + (after him.) + +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

No matter! You shall not have the girl.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Indeed I shall.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

No, a disagreeable one, who wishes to annoy me.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Nevertheless! The moment she is free, she shall be gone, and I shall be gone with + her.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Indeed? Then the hour she is free shall also be the moment of my wedding her.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Indeed? Was I so? Am I so? Youthful folly never lacks for epithets to bestow upon old + age, when age dares prove itself wiser than youth would like!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

You see clearly, Sir, that your presence here is superfluous.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Who is to be forced against her own will – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle + (passing by the Lover, pushing him aside.) +

Out of the way, Sir.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (secretly to her) +

Anticipate, prepare, so the old man may not grow suspicious.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

I myself saw how he dismounted before the inn »Zur Maikatze«, exchanged a few words + with the host, and then hurried here at full spur.

+ +
+
+ Thirteenth Scene. + The Chambermaid. The former. +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

To fall into a man’s arms, and remain therein until her final hour strikes.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What? Sir, what do you take me for? an ignoramus, a mocker, a persifleur, an + obscurant, a pedant, a maleficant –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Sir, with me draws near your fortune. How do I strike you?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Here I am, sir, the one you signed for. How do I please you?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

A trifle, compared to what you may yet behold in me, once I let loose, once I + position myself before you, depict myself, compose myself, expose myself, propose + myself; once I make myself plain, declare, elucidate, unfold, pour forth, analyze, + express, communicate, participate, decline and conjugate myself; when you shall truly + know and name me, and be enflamed by me; when you shall behold me in proper light with + your inner sight, comprehend – then shall you exalt me to the stars, in luminous + distance: for you shall learn from me!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Alas! He is mad!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Horn of misfortune! If such a thing exists: it is poured out upon me.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Let only me be heard here! And to listen to me is child’s play, for I, the greatest + philosopher of my age, have turned everything, yes the whole world itself, into a + plaything. I am a card-sharp, a dice-thrower, a stage-player, an organ-grinder, player + in love and in intrigue, a cabinet-gamer, a war-gamer. I play in village and city, in + the scholar’s study, in the cowshed and in the ballroom, at the masquerade and in the + dairy, in the magistrate’s court and the barber’s shop. I play with sculpture and + gymnastics, with heraldry and metaphysics, with geometry and astrology, with skulls + and with homeopathy, with nature and with the cure of hunger, with Rossini and Weber, + with beefsteaks and goose-liver, with instruments and compliments, with opinions, + apparitions, and negations – –

+ + + The Uncle. +

Sir, do you wish to play a cursed game with me? Leave off these buffooneries.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

What? And yet you expect me to ask?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

In Heaven’s name! What then is your name?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Indeed; so that you may be made wise. I have studied pedagogy, you must know. By + making people aware of their faults, the cruder, the better, one corrects them. You, + however, have the fault of complete unawareness of yourself. Were it not so, you would + not inquire after a matter which you ought long since to have known.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Off with you to your chamber, or I shall have a bridge built, like that once, now + collapsed, bridge at Kenilworth, and whip you across it together with your lover.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

How can you doubt that my name must be known to you? Did you not receive a letter + from my father, yesterday, the day before, or at least today?

+ + + The Uncle. +

Well yes; but – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, how is it possible that I – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle + (angrily) +

Thunder and lightning! You are the young Mr. von ***.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

That would be the very devil!

+ + + The Chamberm. + (aside) +

Heaven! should he go too far, should Uncle suspect something. (She gives the + Servant secret signals.)

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

What, Guardian mine? You would lay hands on my freedom, even my bodily freedom?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant + (understanding the signal, moderating his tone) +

But enough! More instruction another time. For now, let good manners prevail. I + should like to be presented to your niece to see what impression I make upon her. + Doubtless a wholly horrendous one – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

That would be the devil indeed!

+ + + The Chamberm. + (signals to the Servant) +

You! You! Be cautious!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

How come you to such a notion?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

But let us leave that. I burn with desire to see your young niece, to please her, to + marry her – Lead me to her.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

March, I say! You shall be incarcerated. Clauren’s newest Forget-me-not + I give you out of spite, your prayer-book out of mercy. (He leads her + out.)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Leave the notary aside when I am present. I am a jurist. Contracts I can draft + myself, and thus we save the fees – but here, no contract is needed.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Indeed, Sir; for my niece must; your honoured father must; you must!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Heavens! the man is mad!

+ + + The Niece. +

And with a madman you would have me wed?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

To take no counsel, to consider nothing, to hear nothing, to alter nothing in one’s + determinations; to persist, to stand firm, unbending, obstinate and iron-headed: that + is what the spirit of the times demands of a youth of my nature.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Bah, neither the spirit of the times nor that other foolish thing, my niece there, + shall be consulted: this very instant the notary shall be here.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

At your obedient service! Yes, I am your bridegroom. Let us be brief. Our pacts are + in order. All that is lacking are the signatures.

+ +
+
+ Eighth Scene. + + The Chamberm. + (pokes her head first through the door, looks around, then steps in.) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What must I hear? You make me into an outcast, a banished man, a despised, derided, + displaced, disdained, annihilated being? Was it for this your honored uncle engaged + me? Did he, with the most fatherly words, thus admonish you to receive me with love? + Did he therefore invest your fortune at the most profitable interest, that it, along + with your precious person, should escape me?

+ + + The Uncle. +

Oh come now, who would speak thus, Sir? My niece is merely confounded, but she will + recover herself, reflect, find her speech again, and say to you – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Must? Must – a hard nut! Am I to crack it? Good! Then I shall give you yet harder + nuts to crack. The very moment in which I must become engaged to this + lady, I shall become your mortal adversary; your Mephistopheles, your Samiel. Nowhere + shall I allow you peace. Every wish, every inclination, every hope, every joy, every + day, every hour, every second shall I endeavour to wither for you. I shall vex, alarm, + drive, hound, chase, torment, martyr you.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (to the Uncle, secretly) +

But do you not see that the man is raving? Can you place your niece in such hands? + Just hear my proposals! You recently expressed a wish for a riding horse + from the princely stables: well then! I have succeeded in procuring one. Send tomorrow + at earliest dawn to the suburb, to the Hôtel de Wibourg. Many + strangers, noble guests, as you know, frequent the place. Among them is to be found an + acquaintance, a friend for you: a grey steed – of finest breed – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Without delay, if you consent.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Adieu! But – parole d’honneur! + (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ +

Verily! He locks her in. Ah, my poor young lady. – Hark! the old man grumbles upon + the stair. He goes to the library – (speaking out the door) Quickly, + come in. (The Servant enters.) Is your master with you?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, what if I hold you to your word?

+ + + The Lover. +

Do so.

+ + + The Uncle. +

And you give me your word?

+ + + The Lover. +

Here is my hand.

+ +
+
+ Sixteenth Scene. + The Lover. The former. + + The Lover. +

Is it possible that in this peaceful house such a murderous tumult can take place? + Who here is in peril of life? Is it you, (to the Niece) my adored one? + – Who is this gentleman?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Will you now finally shut your horrid mouth.

+ + + The Servant. +

Nevermore! I shall cry out, roar against injustice, violence, atrocity, and + betrayal!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Indeed. And the play might be called R. A. T. N., or: The Duped Old + Man.

+ + + The Niece. +

R. A. T. N. Really, All Trouble’s Nothing.

+ + + The Lover. +

Yes, yes! R. A. T. N. Rowing Against Taste’s Not proper.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Or better still: R. A. T. N. Rambunctious Authors Tamed? Never.

+ + + The Servant. +

Who would speak so impertinently? R. A. T. N. Ready At The Nod, time to take our + leave, that the curtain may fall and the pit kindly applaud.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Oh certainly. The imprisonment of his fair one has rendered him entirely + perplexed.

+ +
+
+ End of the Afterpiece. +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Yes. He it is to whom I owe my happiness, who shall now receive the promised gold + pieces and who may divert himself with his heart’s beloved wherever and however he + pleases, while we two would undisturbed surrender to the bliss of love.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant + (to the Chamberm.) +

We as well, darling?

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Indeed. I intend to establish a boarding school for young ladies in the capital.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Yes, yes, it is you to whom I owe my life’s happiness, and your reward shall not + fail. (to the Niece.) Let us go, that we may rejoice in our love + undisturbed.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Call him in. (The Servant exits) (alone) Great counsel must be taken + quickly. As yet we are undisturbed, and must strive for help. How goes it in Goethe’s + opera? „Honor is pawned away, the crown and the palladium stolen!“

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Shall that concern us? We have the lead. None shall overtake us.

+ +
+
+ End of the Forepiece. +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Quite right. As a comedy; but what title shall it bear?

+ + + The Niece. +

Why, what else but: Love Victorious.

+ + + The Lover. +

Indeed! But with the addition: by Love itself.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Or more pointed still: Love and the Servant’s Trick.

+ + + The Servant. +

Only, let not all the honour at the end be heaped upon me alone. I might be called + for to appear, and our players know so little of that, that most of them learn a + speech of thanks by heart in advance.

+ +
+
+ First Scene. + + The Niece. + (alone, a book in her hand.) +

Ah! No matter how early I rose – my head is spinning – I am all confused – I would + say stupid, were I not afraid someone might overhear. I do not want to read. The + letters leap before my eyes, and – what is it Afanasja, or rather Athanasia, says? + Yes: „Le coeur palpite!“ – Ah, my love! What is life, waking, + sleeping, reading, or heart-throbbing without you? – – Ha! Do you come at last, my + trusty confidante?

+ +
+
+ Ninth Scene. + The Chambermaid. The Lover. The Servant. +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Now, now, who would lose courage?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

From that, to be sure, little good can be expected. Who knows, moreover, what the + letter contains, which he late last evening still – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Tell me, is my beloved coming?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Ah, girl! Shall I ever press him to this bosom as my husband?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

There you have both master and servant. Fairly, you ought to be satisfied with the + latter.

+ +
+
+ Fourth Scene. + The Niece. The Lover. + + The Niece. +

But now let us take counsel – –

+ +
+
+ Third Scene. + The former. The Lover. + + The Lover. + (rushing in) +

Angel of my soul! (He flies into her arms.)

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (to herself.) +

Two lovers, who this very day are just as attuned as yesterday evening, when last + they spoke and embraced.

+ +
+
+ Fifth Scene. + The former. The Chambermaid. + + The Chamberm. +

The Uncle! Quickly, follow me into the garden! (All exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

And the lock truly sprang shut behind her?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Everything is in order. Make yourself ready. The bridegroom is coming. The young Mr. + von ** may perchance arrive this very day. The moment he arrives, your engagement to + him shall take place.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

We would rather run away.

+ +
+
+ Fifth Scene. + The former. The Chambermaid. + + The Chamberm. +

I hear the honoured master's cough. Quick, into the antechamber! (All + exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

What? You could seriously wish that I, fleeing with you, should forfeit the + inheritance that my uncle holds in his hands?

+ + + The Lover. +

You are my everything, even without a dowry.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Ah God, indeed! She is imprisoned.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

You shall hear it directly. I have long grown weary of your prattling. Tomorrow it + comes to an end, perhaps even today. The young Mr. von **, your designated bridegroom, + shall now appear. Make yourself ready to celebrate your engagement to him.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

You know that my uncle wishes to bargain me away, as it were, to the son of his + friend.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Not so fast! Act in haste, repent at leisure – as old, I believe, as the ancient + classics of which my cousin the superintendent makes such a fuss; so – –

+ +
+
+ Fifth Scene. + The former. The Chambermaid. + + The Chamberm. +

The gracious master has left his chamber. Away, before he catches sight of you here! + (All exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Turk of a guardian!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

No questions from you! Obedience is all that is required of you. The young Mr. von + **, the son of my friend, arrives today, tomorrow at the latest. You will then + immediately give him your hand in engagement, and that is final!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Well then, my niece?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

What do I care about his lawsuit? I proceed: engagement – wedding!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

What? I should abandon my friend – –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Easy! What must come to our aid in comedy when force accomplishes nothing? + Cunning!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Your bridegroom will see to that.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Be his lawsuit won or lost; in either case we have pledged ourselves to one another + –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Should I tear apart the sweet bond of the heart that binds me to my beloved?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

No, a foolish one – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Cunning? I have that for sale! „Whoever bids the most, gets me!“ says one of the + bandits in The Robbers; I believe the fellow's name is Schufterle.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

The moment the engagement hour strikes, you shall rise from the dead.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– a pitiable one, rather –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– A creature from a novel –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Ugh, Uncle! You esteem me no more than – –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Help, but think not of reward in doing so. Your master's generosity must not be + provoked.

+ +
+
+ +

As I live and breathe, the lock snaps shut. What to do now? – Hark! the old house + bear departs – the front door bell rings. He is gone. (Speaking out toward the + door) Quick, come in! (to the servant, who enters) Where is + your master? Is he here?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– To abandon her moonlight love affair.

+ +
+
+ Eighth Scene. + + The Chambermaid + (who was listening, enters.) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

We are here. What is to be done?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Fear not! Do you see this purse? It is yours, as soon as I – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Certainly not. The laborer is worthy of his wages. One hundred louis d'or if you + assist me.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Yes indeed, she is locked up in her chamber. We have no castle dungeon, or she would + be sitting in it.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What? Not perhaps like the tenant farmer Feldkümmel, of whom he may be a near + relative? That would be nothing; such tricks are worn out.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Roguish knave. – – But we are not being overheard, are we?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

On such occasions, it absolutely tickles me to let my genius shine forth. – Come now, + little maid! What is the enemy's position?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Matchmaker without equal!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What? You ask? Have more respect for my keen wit. You surely don't want me to be like + Johann in The Sisters of Prague, or like valet Wind in Verlegenheit und List –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Behold him in my person.

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

To the point!

+ + + The Lover. +

Do not tease us so!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

The threatened fate breaks upon us at last; it comes and approaches in the form of a + bridegroom, a promised one indeed, yet not the much-beloved bridegroom from Mexico; he + comes tomorrow, perhaps even today – so the old man declared.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Very well then! Tremble, master! Quake, cowardly slave-girl! The dreaded bridegroom + is already here.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That matters not. I shall draw him out soon enough, and then you shall hear that his + name is some Feldkümmel, or Bocklümmel, or Tippelskircher, or Hans von Birken, or + Plumper, or some such ridiculous name.

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

Well then! What more?

+ + + The Lover. +

Just don't be absurd.

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Yes, who could answer that!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

O you uncle, full of obstinacy and marriage-making!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Excellent! That shall be my concern. I'll steal the letter away from the old man.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

I cannot allow that. You are not master now, that is to say, not in this matter. + I predominate; I direct the battle; I stand + at the helm.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

But come back soon. – I meanwhile will put myself into the clothes. With the costume, + an experienced actor readily assumes the role he has to play. In the coat lies both + the hero and the scarecrow. Quickly, to work on the old man!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Now? How do you manage that?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

How do we free my mistress? How do we drive away this toad of fate?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Understand me! Though you are now merely the instrument through which I shall let my + plan ripen, I must not entirely avoid seeming to be your servant. In such cases, the + theater has an excellent expedient. One first lets the servant speak foolishness to + his master, and afterwards has him perform an action that makes clear the servant in + him and the master in the other.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What do you mean by that?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Very well, then I must follow you, like a buck follows the bellwether that you would + be.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

So we go then – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What? Hopefully not on a path that other cunning servants have already taken before + me.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

So we go?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

You speak only half the truth. Indeed it is your niece's hand for which I repeatedly + ask you.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

You really dare? You honor me with your visit? Me, who wants to know nothing of you? + You really have – –

+ +
+
+ Eleventh Scene. + The Chambermaid. +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Well then, we choose a brand-new means.

+ +
+
+ + (Entering from the side) +

Perfect! Here is the letter. The old man had indeed left it lying with the newspaper + on the sofa. Quickly – – but where are they? Already gone? So much the better! thus + the clever fellow will be here for the comedy all the sooner. – Listen! the old man is + making a racket outside. Quickly, before he notices me here. + (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, I also do not wish to be seen, do not wish to be + spoken to, at least not by you. What can you have to say to me? Only what I have + already denied a hundred times; nothing else: for what else do you want than to marry + my ward along with my ward's dowry?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Very succinctly spoken.

+ + + The Uncle. +

That's just my way. Besides, my niece is locked up, consequently not at home for + anyone.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Unfortunately I know that you act like a tyrant against the poor girl.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That is what I strive for.

+ (parodying) + The cleverest tricks I count among my own, + And what I'd be, I dare appear full-grown! + +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What if I tell you that I am not only, through my lawsuit, fully able to support a + wife properly?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

And as soon as she is free, I shall run away with her.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (hastily entering) +

He comes!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Is he here?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

What? Can you doubt that it is the bridegroom?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Now? How so?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

From the inn »Zum grünen Esel« he hurries over to us, having just alighted from the + country coach that still stands before the tavern.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (Exit.) + + + The Chamberm. +

There is the young gentleman!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Bring him in, bring him in!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What do you mean by that? Do you take me for stupid, for ignorant, for silly, for + impertinent, for unwise, for foolish, for presumptuous, for doltish, for idiotic, for + senseless, for raging, for possessed, for – – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

God be with you!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Yes, yes, tell us – – We have no eavesdropper's ears to fear, do we?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

See in me your guardian angel, the bridegroom of your young lady niece. How do you + like this bridegroom?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

The delight I feel over your final arrival is somewhat tempered by the astonishment + with which – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle + (angrily) +

Devil take it, if you are your lord father's son, then you are called Lord von + **.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

So it is. Were you consistent with yourself, you would treat me differently. But + because you perhaps think that people in the theater often sit where they should + stand, and stand where they should sit, you want to make such a comedy fool of me, + therefore you offer me no chair and don't even ask: »My lord, with whom do I have the + honor?« –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

In a scene like this that we are playing, no one may eavesdrop, otherwise many a + popular comedy would long since be no comedy anymore. – Therefore, tell us what you + have in mind.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Not in the least.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

He's out of his mind! – Why should I have had to ask and then again not + ask? Sir, you make me scatter-brained!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

There is no dissatisfaction on your niece's part with this marriage, is there?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

It would be a greater misfortune for you than for me if your young lady niece said + no.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

You want to lead me onto thin ice like the lying Guildenstern did Hamlet; I should + confess to you; I should tell you from the lowest note to the highest: that I should + do. Do you think I am easier to play than a bagpipe? Nevertheless I will do it, will + say it; for my genius knows no obstacles.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What, Miss? What do I hear? You reject my hand? You despise me? You cast me off? You + hurl me from you? You renounce me? You want to know, hear, see, perceive, learn, + receive, retain nothing of me and keep it until you – –

+ + + The Uncle. +

My God, the man argues dreadfully! Do let my niece come to words, to think – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

You hear it yourself. She will not marry me – Good! So I will not have her either, + absolutely not, completely not, utterly not, by no means not.

+ + + The Uncle. +

So listen! Take advice!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

No! There is no way out. The man is truly mad.

+ + + The Niece. +

And yet you wish to give him to me as a husband?

+ + + The Uncle. +

You speak into it too!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

You break my heart. What do I say? You have already broken it. My lip stammers, my + tongue grows rigid, my fevers tremble, my pulse stops, my nerves twitch at the + death-word you speak.

+ (parodying) + „Should I, poorest wretch, not complain, + That such grief should befall me? + O, dear maiden, let me say – – + + + The Niece. + You are a tasteless fool. + + + The Uncle. +

There you have it. Who would burst in so bluntly? My niece will, if you give her + time, find better words, and – –

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

Braggart!

+ + + The Lover. +

Fop!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ Sixteenth Scene. + The former. The Lover. + + The Lover. +

Heaven! Is some misfortune occurring here? What does this gentleman want? Who is + he?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Madman!

+ + + The Servant. +

From your chess machine that plays by itself, I shall remove the brass soul, so that + with the wooden corpse you shall know nothing, absolutely nothing more to do than to + stick it in the fire.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Sir! You murder me..

+ + + The Servant. +

That is what I intend to do, metaphorically speaking.

+ +
+
+ Sixteenth Scene. + The former. The Lover. + + The Lover. +

Forgive me for intruding once more. But I thought, had to think, that a precious life + was in danger here; such tumult as – – This gentleman here? What does he want? Who is + he?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Have you escaped from the madhouse?

+ + + The Servant. +

Not at all! But in your house things shall go on as in a madhouse, as long as I + remain in it.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

So compose yourself then, my gracious lord – You, hold fast to the chair back to + resist the fainting. Your beloved's bridegroom, that disturber, that dark spirit who + would pass through our house – is already here.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What does that concern us. We travel far – far!

+ + + The Niece. +

Without anyone learning where.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Through his cunning we are united. Nothing separates us anymore. (To the + Servant, throwing him his purse) Take your well-earned reward!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Ah, my friend! When will he become mine?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Fresh courage, fair young lady!

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

I truly feel unwell.

+ + + The Lover. +

Fellow! do not lie.

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ First Scene. + + The Niece + (her head supported, at the table, alone) +

Flow, my tears, flow! What is a young maiden worth nowadays who does not daily weep + her portion before she has spoken with the beloved of her heart? – But no! Weeping is + harmful to the eyes. It causes the lashes to fall out. I will not be sad at the + expense of my pretty face. Let him stay away as long as he will, the lingerer. – But + wait! Someone comes. Now, is it you?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Ah yes! From there it storms. Who knows what new thunderbolt lies in the letter that + your guardian received late yesterday evening!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (embracing her) +

My dear girl!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

In your arms I forget myself.

+ + + The Lover. +

Divine bliss at your breast!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. + (pointing to himself) +

Here he stands.

+ +
+
+ Fourth Scene. + The Niece. The Lover. + + The Niece. +

Now to the more important matter. We must consider – –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (aside) +

Let another endure that. I go to bring my sweetheart a morning greeting. + (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Fate! What is to become of us?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

I abduct you.

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

You would be it?

+ + + The Lover. +

So I thought.

+ + (simultaneously.) + +
+
+ Seventh Scene. + The Uncle. The Niece. + + The Niece. +

Well, Uncle, here I am. And –?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Get away from me with such exclamations. I'm not moved by such novel-like babble!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– Without leaving me the slightest hope of deliverance; unless it be through death + –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Quick! Ask him to come in. (The Servant exits again) (alone) The house + bear has withdrawn to his corner; the stage is empty and only this clever servant can + fill it again. He must help. My young lady must be saved.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Indeed I am. I am that pitiable wretch from whom the bride is to be snatched, though + he perhaps cares nothing for her. (to Chamberm.) So »weep not, weep + not, my Cordelia.« – Tell me rather, what is his name?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Cunning? That is my trade.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

So it is certain?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Deploy your troops. The reward will not escape you.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Hear what I overheard. It stands in the letter. The old man finally has the + bridegroom come; tomorrow – today already –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Yes, who would know that!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Done! Choose what no one has chosen.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Not a soul is near. (to Servant) Fire off your sharp-loaded + thunder-gun.

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

Rogue!

+ + + The Lover. +

Clever fellow!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

What?

+ + + The Lover. +

Already?

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

No matter. As if one could not guess what he is called! His name will be Plumper, or + Theophilus Feldkümmel, or Thaddäus Bocklümmel, or Sebastian Lämmerzahn, or Hans von + Birken, or whatever the honest Pomeranians in comedies are otherwise called.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Yes, I am that unfortunate one who is to lose the promised bride before he has even + seen her. Weep a tear for his fate! – Speak, what is his name?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

If the answer to this question is to become the cornerstone of your clever edifice, + then I pity you. The name is a secret.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

The admiration I shall arouse will be enormous. I know not the man; I know not what + he is called, I have never seen him; nevertheless I will represent him.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Indeed, indeed! I see to it that I steal him away from the old grumpy tomcat.

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

Speak further!

+ + + The Lover. +

Do not jest when need presses us.

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Hold, little one! Take this trifle in advance first.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant + (calling after her) +

What you do, do quickly. – The old man has never seen me, so quick into the clothes + and to work.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Now, now! Just not too forward.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

How would it be if we could cast a glance into the letter that the uncle + received?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

So his name is unknown? His character, his person as well? Tant + mieux, so I represent him impromptu.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

And such action would consist – in what?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Forward then! According to your phrases, I am the servant, you the predominant + one.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Buffoonery without end! March! Forward!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What kind of action then?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Something occurs to me. How would it be? The letter that the uncle received – if we + could read that: it might perhaps – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Well, forward with you, that I may give you as my guiding star the due respect – + –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

With your gracious permission! (He kneels down behind him on one knee to + arrange something about his master's footwear, stands up, steps back one step, bows + and speaks.) So it is in order.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Plead as much as you will. To pursue useless things is today's youth's favorite + occupation.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Not at all, my lord. I desire only the niece, not the fortune; therefore I come to + ask you once more – –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Quite right. The letter can be useful to us. I will try to get hold of it.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Indeed, my lord; I do not know what I should think of you. Are you out of your mind? + You ask about me? About me, who long ago explained to you that we were + parted people.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What? You reject me without telling me the why of it?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

It cannot be done. Another Hold-her-fast is ordered, and he will come; yes, yes, my + lord, come!

+ + + The Lover. +

What?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

That is not for you to ask about.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Steal successfully and then follow me, next door, to old Suse's; there I'll wait for + you while I costume myself.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Certainly; I shall even force myself to it, but not a minute sooner than it is time + for it.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Just so! Titles which the tiresome fashion of our novel-like, truly unromantic time + gives to all reasonable fathers and guardians who wish to put bridle and bit upon + youthful folly.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

What does that matter to me? I stick to my resolution.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

At the »Schwarzer Bock« a cart stopped. A young gentleman alighted, spoke with the + innkeeper, and steered straight toward the house. There he comes (at the + window).

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Don't hurry so! Take this first as a down payment on my thanks (giving her + money).

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

To reassure the old man. He caught me with my servant – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

My lord, you find no welcome here –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Well, young gentleman, what do we say now?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Come now! Where then is the newcomer?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (takes, thanks and slips away.) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That is nothing yet! You must hear me! sing, argue, declaim, philosophise, parody, + harangue, extemporise, improvise; you must see me! fence, ride, shoot, hunt, fish, + dance, dice, box, skirmish, anatomise, ballot, copy, conjure, allege, amalgamate, + renovate, restore, sort –

+ + + The Uncle. +

Sir, you ruin my hearing – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Rightly so!

+ +
+
+ Fourteenth Scene. + The former. The Servant (dressed à l’incroyable. The more + striking, the better! – Since most of our popular actors are born character actors, it + would betray absurd vanity if the author gave more than a small hint here.) + + The Uncle. + (toward him.) +

God's greeting, my long-awaited!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Who speaks here when I speak? I, the dialectician and eclectic? the pedagogue and + demagogue? The jurist and the sublimist or sublimatist? I, who wrote in Russia the + life story of a caviar and in Berlin a pocket almanac about all the folios of Germany? + I, who write classically like Clauren, yet am not the author of the Man in the Moon? I + who compose better poetry than Goethe, because I write even more than Gustav + Schilling? I who declaim like Talma and the German cobbler and act like Kean, Macready + and the supernumeraries at the Hamburg Theater? I who command like the late Rinaldo + Rinaldini and excerpt like the authors of Krünitz's Encyclopedia? I, who – –

+ + + The Uncle. +

Sir, your dreadful erudition could make me ass-stupid. Be silent –

+ +
+
+ Tenth Scene. + The Lover. The Servant. +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What do you want? What do you mean? What do you think? What do you suppose? What do + you suspect? What do you hope? What do you expect? What do you wish? What do you + desire? What do you demand? What do you discover? What do you aim at? You have + summoned me here – I am here, according to your will; therefore now my will also + counts. At your instigation you shall now by me be instigated, driven up, + driven forward, driven out, driven into a corner –

+ + + The Uncle. +

Good heavens! stay three steps away from me!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Three steps away from me!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

What, my lord?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. + (angrily.) +

Well, by heavens! You are indeed the young Lord von **.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

But without delay! – I have a burning desire to work on the old man. True, he has + seen me a couple of times; but that doesn't matter. That is precisely what's piquant + about such disguises as I have in mind.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

And yet you just now made this question a duty for me?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I would die if I knew how to answer that.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Precisely therefore. Must not such an important letter speak of me, of my name? Who + then has to ask about my name here? I, my lord, not you! To test you, whether I am the + right one for you, I must ask: My lord, what am I called?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Truly, I am losing my wits with you – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Just tell me how you actually intend to go about it.

+ +
+
+ Fifteenth Scene. + The Uncle. The Servant. The Niece. The Chambermaid. + + The Uncle. + (presenting) +

My niece. – The young Lord von **.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Your niece won't have anything against a union with me, will she?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Why, what an absurd notion!

+ + + The Chamberm. + (secretly to the Servant) +

Don't go too far! He might notice something –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, do you want to make me completely confused? To ask, and yet not ask – not ask + and yet ask?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What's the saying in many comedies? „Follow me, so I can share my plan with you along + the way.“ Then it fits that the master follows the servant.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

My niece shall be here at once. (Secretly to the Chambermaid) Quickly! + I have locked her up. Here is the key; fetch her!

+ + + The Chamberm. +

I go. (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Right, that's what I'm called. So you know it and yet asked? Right again, for it's + right that you nevertheless asked, because it's right that you actually had to + ask.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

There you hear it! She won't have me. So I won't have her either. I overturn my + father's will, I overturn your will, I put my previous will in the back and adopt a + new will, which says: I won't have the young lady!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Are you out of your mind, sir?

+ + + The Servant. +

No; but I want to drive you out of your mind. I'll denounce you as a Carbonaro, in + German a charcoal burner, as a leader of some terrible conspiracy that you want to + instigate, and if it goes well, I'll have you in the lead chambers of Venice in short + order. You may then do as Casanova – of truth-loving memory – I won't prevent you, but + under the lead you shall and must –.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Scoundrel!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Never will I become your wife! Never!

+ + + The Uncle + (quietly to her.) +

I advise you, strike other strings, or – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

I have nothing more to say. My No was spoken clearly enough.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Foolish novel-reader!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Bon! You do the utmost, the most violent, the most unheard-of, the + most incroyable thing to me? Bon! So now I do the most unheard-of, + the most violent, the utmost, the most incroyable thing to you. You won't have me? + Good! So I won't have you either – Taille faite!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Leave your incroyable taille out of the game and take reason; let yourself be + advised; listen!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Today still, if you permit it.

+ + + The Uncle. +

God be with you! Just keep your word – and, happy journey! (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Just be gracious, my master. As a rule, the lover in comedy must make allowances for + the cunning servant who is to help him out of his predicament.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Are you in earnest?

+ + + The Lover. +

Completely. So you will sign the marriage contract in my favor?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (to the Uncle.) +

And you can involve yourself with such a madman? Better send him packing before he + infects you, your niece, me, all of us with his frenzy. The little estate Walldorf, my + sole inheritance – it has always pleased you: very well! I leave it to you for a + laughable price, for your niece's fortune. Give me your ward with the capital + belonging to her and Walldorf is your property.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Before it grows dark.

+ + + The Uncle. +

And your promise?

+ + + The Lover. +

Goes punctually into fulfillment.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Farewell. Happy journey! (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Oh woe! You are killing me.

+ + + The Servant. +

That I intend to do! For you have wanted to murder me by shamefully attacking my + will, the highest thing in man. What is man when his will is no longer free? Nothing! + So you have wanted to make nothing of me; therefore I want to make a corpse of + you.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

So we depart?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

A question that comes at the wrong time, because only I have the right to ask here. + Only I have to ask here: Who are you? what do you want? what do you intend? what do + you aim at? what do you desire? what do you demand? what do you require? what do you + request? what do you defy? what do you insist upon?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Then the bridegroom may play another comedy after my comedy; for it is + certain that my today's farce will come to the stage. It is just as interesting as if + it were translated from the French.

+ +
+
+ Final Scene. + The Lover. The Niece. The Servant. The Chambermaid. + + The Niece. +

But tell me, has a miracle happened?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

By your leave! We must use caution against the real bridegroom. He is supposed to + arrive tomorrow.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

If it pleases you, at once.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Charming! Then let the real bridegroom sit down to table before empty bowls, like + Banquo's ghost in the tragedy. We dip into the sweet-spiced dish of love, so that + today's hocus pocus becomes a comedy.

+ +
+
+ (The curtain falls.) +
+
+ + The Servant. +

And you? Will you dare it with me?

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Though it's dangerous; however – fortune favors the bold!

+ +
+
+ + Dramatis Personae. + The Uncle. + The Niece. + Her Chambermaid. + The Lover of the Niece. + His Servant. + + +

(The scene is a room.)

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

So go ahead then, you who play the topsy-turvy world with me, making me the servant + and calling yourself the master.

+ +
+
+ Love Conquers. + A Prelude in One Act. +
+
+ Second Scene. + The Niece. The Chambermaid. + + The Chamberm. +

It is I. It is indeed my turn to appear now.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Faithful soul! Will his coming give me assurance that I shall one day possess him + entirely?

+ +
+
+ First Scene. + + The Niece + (a sheet of music in her hand.) +

„Once at midnight there was sighing –“ Oh what! (throwing the sheet + away) That doesn't suit my condition at all. It is now bright day and I sigh + – must sigh; ah! Could he have become faithless? Since yesterday I have not seen him, + and the hour of reunion has already struck! But he does not come – – Are you there, + faithful Aja?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That I would be indeed: yet one must not offend against all + dehors.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (to herself) +

I leave them alone. Probably my sweetheart is already lying in wait too.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Still I wrestle with doubts.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Another letter?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Do I hold you in my arms again at last?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What is this supposed to mean?

+ +
+
+ Fourth Scene. + The Niece. The Lover. + + The Niece. +

Let us be economical with our tenderness. Consider, my dearest – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

O, that I could always hold you embraced thus!

+ +
+
+ Seventh Scene. + The Uncle. The Niece. + + The Niece. +

My Guardian, you command –?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Shame on you for such speech!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Obedient servant! However impudent a cunning servant may be toward his master, + whether in or outside of comedy; no master, consequently no audience either, may take + it amiss; as soon as he only yields at the right time, on stage, perhaps shortly + before his exit, and commits some action that visibly distinguishes him appropriately + from his master.

+ +
+
+ Sixth Scene. + + The Uncle + (enters, hands behind his back, pacing back and forth.) +

Not one minute more should I give the foolish girl time to consider. Can become a + wife and yet acts coy. And whose wife? whose daughter-in-law? The wife of the + excellent Hans von Birken, who has looked into all the sciences, as well as + agriculture and God knows what else; who is the son of an honest German to whom I gave + my word. – – So, no more patience! (pulling out a letter) After this + letter, no more patience! none! (rings. The Chamberm. enters) My ward, + the young lady! At once! (The Chamberm. exits.) Just wait, Miss, here + there's no need to be coy, here one must whistle.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

We have enough to live, so – –

+ +
+
+ Seventh Scene. + The Uncle. The Niece. + + The Niece. +

You have had me summoned, Uncle?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

My – our misfortune is certain, if my marriage to the son of my father's old friend + is really to be accomplished.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

And what action, for example.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Who is a scatterbrain – a John Lackland – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

But my heart is already given away.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Well, tender Daphne?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

You demand that I sacrifice myself, renounce my beloved?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

It is called: dumb show. (He arranges with much ceremony something about his + master's clothing, then steps back and bows, as if to say: „I am + finished.“)

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Learn that my beloved's lawsuit – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Will you give me no respite?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

You are killing me.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Guardian, you abuse your power over me!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Well, well! You have studied your character well indeed; almost too well for an + ordinary schemer in comedies: for they seldom have character. Now – forward!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Very well, if it gives you pleasure; however at the same time I am also a pitiable – + –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Beware, when I first use force – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

No, no, no! a rebellious –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Uncle?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant + (exits) + + + The Lover + (follows him.) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

He stands before the door.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Off to the lockup! said my late blessed rector, when I had been cheeky to his face. + Off to the lockup with you too! Caged birds – tame birds! March!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– whom you want to bring to ruin.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Bring him in, and you come back too. One needs you, one needs me – (the + Servant exits) (alone.) Ah! what does man not need! We need resolution, for + the complications have already gotten quite out of hand here.

+ +
+
+ Eleventh Scene. + The Chambermaid. +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– To give herself to a man. How many thousand girls have already done that!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Sir, yours body and soul! (to the Chamberm.) Speak, you oracle of + cunning. What is to be done?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Cunning? That is water to my mill.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Here we are.

+ +
+
+ + (She comes out of the cabinet.) +

If I continue thus, I shall become the most excellent of chambermaids; worthy that a + poet should write an almanac comedy especially for me, to make me immortal. Scarcely + is it necessary to steal a letter – whoosh! I have it away. How I managed + it, that is not necessary to state: Enough, I have stolen it and – there + it is! Away with it to the place of its destination! (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Certainly not! A faint-hearted lover who in such a case shies away from letting a + couple hundred ducats spring loose!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Just don't rage! That won't help us. Cunning alone – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

So really captured, the queen of my heart?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Not so! not so! (to the Servant) Just say, just speak – –

+ +
+
+ Twelfth Scene. + The Uncle. The Lover. + (Both enter through the central door.) +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

How do we rid ourselves of the one who is coming?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That I shall do. A genius, as I am, walks his own paths.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

So say at last, how will you begin it?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Shall I speak it out? Shall I reveal my plan before I have yet executed it? Can it + harm my reputation? "Hannchen here – the famous singer," speaks weighingly the famous + city commandant Rummelpuff. My genius clings to that one bowl – it sinks! Very well, I + reveal my plan and yet carry it through.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir! Do you take me for a silly comedy uncle with whom you can do whatever you want? + Have I not long since taken away from you every hope for my niece's hand? Yet you + still seek me out?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Well then, resolve upon a never-before-heard-of means.

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

Further!

+ + + The Lover. +

What is this nonsense?

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Yes, I don't know that.

+ +
+
+ + + The Lover. +

Fool!

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Rogue!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Yes, my lord! I was here once before to speak with you. But you were not yet + visible.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Learn to know him at once in my person.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That makes no difference. I mystify the old man, then he tells me the name without + knowing it. That is a not yet completely worn-out artifice, of which I therefore need + not be ashamed.

+ +
+
+ + + The Lover. +

Madman!

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Double-tongue!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ Tenth Scene. + The Lover. The Servant. +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, I am still not so now, not for you, not for your request, which is sufficiently + known to me. You want to marry my niece, and with her, her not inconsiderable + fortune.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Will not let himself be made known. The direction of the plan is my work + alone. You are the person following me.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

One moment! The letter that was mentioned before might perhaps give us light; if only + we had it!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (withdraws, thanking) + +
+
+ + The Lover. +

But won't you tell me beforehand – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Your word in honor, if it were true; but it is only half true. I want only your niece + and ask – –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Glorious idea! Away, to see if I can steal it away from the old man.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Oh, please don't take it amiss! I just thought we were standing on the stage, and + there it's not uncommon in a situation like ours for things to go thus between master + and servant.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

As you please.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Indeed I am that; yet one must not totally violate the sense of duty.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

It is useless effort; for I will be relentless, even if you stand on your head.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant + (takes his master's hat and stick, which he had placed on the table, wipes over + the hat with his sleeve, hands both to him and asks:) +

Do you command anything else?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

„To serve!“ Through this word alone can a cunning servant justify his loose mouth + against his master. „To serve!“ he says and thereby commits some action that proves + his distance from his master.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

What, my lord? You have the audacity to come here? even to ask for me?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Why exactly that?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What have you to find fault with in me?

+ +
+
+ + (Entering from the side.) +

Successfully snatched! A chambermaid who knows only half her old household master's + weaknesses must be able to make such innocent thievish moves blindly. – Where then is + my comedy player? Already gone? – – Oh dear! I hear a commotion. It's the old man. + Away through the back door before he notices me with the letter. + (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. + (Exit.) + + + The Lover. + (follows him.) + +
+
+ Twelfth Scene. + The Uncle. The Lover. + (both enter together.) +
+
+ + The Lover. +

I entreat you, yield to my petition. I am well able to maintain my future wife –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

You are insufferable to me!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

But I shall take flight with her as soon as she is free.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Not nearly as much as I would have to be to resemble your comedy guardians.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

That I shall keep to myself.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

That I shall do; but never at your command.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

You are very short with me.

+ + + The Uncle. +

I am just that way, and to put an end to this conversation, learn that your Dulcinea + remains imprisoned until – –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

The bridegroom.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant + (who shows himself in his true form) +

Your most obedient servant's clever work.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (secretly to the Lover) +

What do you want here then?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (secretly to the Lover) +

What? You here? Now?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

You are a cruel man, an unchristian, a Turk, a tyrant!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

I withdraw –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Why does the bridegroom hesitate to enter? Should I perhaps go to meet him?

+ +
+
+ Fourteenth Scene. + The Uncle. The Chambermaid. + + The Servant + (fantastically attired; the more striking, the better, even should his costume be + ever so improbable, yes, even absurd: such things find favour. The shaping of outward + forms leads to the highest degree of art.) + + + The Uncle. +

Welcome, welcome! You are – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (exits) + + + The Chamberm. + (opening the door) +

The young gentleman approaches –

+ + + The Uncle. +

Closer! closer!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, I do not comprehend you. Do I not wholly enter into the spirit of the present + world of fashions, of novels, and of comedies? Do I not do all that an uncle and + guardian must do, in order to be interesting?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

– but I return.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (exits) + + + The Chamberm. +

The bridegroom enters the house.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Bring him in to me.

+ + + The Chamberm. + (opens.) + +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Though I am delighted by your punctual arrival, I am yet somewhat astonished at – + –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (exits.) + + + The Chamberm. +

The suitor is already entering the house.

+ + + The Uncle. +

This way! Into this room! Open!

+ + + The Chamberm. + (does so.) + +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Let yourself be entreated. My lawsuit may not yet be won, but I am nonetheless able + to provide for my future wife. – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That I would be a fool to answer such a question.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Indeed! in order to enlighten you about yourself. Can it have been reasonable of you + to ask again for a name which you must already know? A needless questioner, sir, is + the most insipid pedant – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Beyond doubt you know my name. A letter from my father has been in your hands since + yesterday, or the day before –

+ + + The Uncle. +

Well yes, of course, but – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Fiekchen, off with you! To such a question no man responds, who, like me, has seen + the world both from the front and from the rear.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

And were you steeped in gold to your very ears. I have firmness of character, and am + therefore no comedy-uncle, and I will not give you the girl.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

You still doubt that my name is known to you? As though my father had not written to + you but lately!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Indeed, indeed; however – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Nonsense without end! But did you wish to hear this question from my own lips?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

You see! And yet you would again have had to ask me what my name is.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

As though another might not present himself in my stead, to deceive you, to betray + me, to delude us both –?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Sir, your laconic manner shall have an end. Necessity will compel you to open the + prison of my beloved.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Not in the slightest.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant + (relenting) +

But let all quarrel be put aside. I am to have the honour of becoming related to you. + I might again instructively remark that your young niece is necessary for that, and + that you have not yet even introduced me to her. But surely you intend now to lead me + to her.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, you are driving me mad.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

At your service, sir. My niece shall be here directly. Call her forth! (He + whispers into the chambermaid’s ear and secretly hands her a key)

+ + + The Chamberm. +

I shall be back this instant. (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Oh yes, I shall. But not a second sooner than I see fit.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

A man like me consults only with himself. But you, you must listen to + me.

+ + + The Uncle. +

No, I say; for my niece shall follow me, shall give you her hand, and the notary + shall at once – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What? You do not deem it worth the trouble to love me? Me, of all men? Do you know + who I am? I am the young Lord of **, the best, most excellent, most learned, most + well-read, most experienced, most amiable, most incomparable, most inimitable, most + perfect son of my father; for I am his only son, and therefore – –

+ + + The Uncle. +

Just calmly now, sir. My niece shall reconsider, let her but find words.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Your assured bridegroom, famed through all parts of the world; for I have been in + every part of it, and cannot brook the delay of becoming yours. So give me your hand, + and – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

There’s no managing that man.

+ + + The Niece. +

And yet you wish to marry me to him?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

All is prepared for my flight with her. The moment she is free, I drive with her to + the border and have myself joined to her in wedlock.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What contract? What notary? My hand is given by love alone, not by a sheet of paper, + even if every authority in the world had stamped it.

+ + + The Uncle. +

We shall see about that, young sir. You are short of speech; I will be shorter still. + You will not have my niece? That remains to be seen. You will hardly, I trust, rebel + against your father? And he desires this marriage, therefore you must submit.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Quite right. Bridegroom and bride. Make haste, that they be made husband and + wife.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Let the gentleman speak on as he will. He has heard my no, and I have nothing further + to say to him.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Rebellious fool!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, allow yourself to be advised –

+ + + The Servant. +

I do not wish to, do not want it, will not do it!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Mad scheme, in which there is nothing clever, except that you betrayed it to me in + advance. Yet you shall learn that quite another shall lead my niece home as bride, + that he is the one contracted, and that he is coming.

+ + + The Lover. +

What?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Out of my sight.

+ + + The Servant. +

That I shall not do. I shall come at you. You have contracted me, and I remain, since + I am here. The prescription for your final hour you dictated to my pen yourself; as a + skilled apothecary, I shall mix you the draught by which you shall be transformed into + a corpse –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

You own a stable, I know it, a splendid one: Very well! On my wedding day I shall + nail shut every one of your horses, and shall leave you no substitute save the lamest + mare I can find within ten miles around.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Madman!

+ + + The Servant. +

And should I not succeed, then I shall smear butter upon the horses' hay –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, I shall throw you out of the house.

+ + + The Servant. +

That is something else entirely. That I shall accept, for then I need not marry the + damsel. So go ahead; throw me out!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Be not uneasy! You have not yet come to your last shirt; but I shall know how to make + you long for it. Every joy of your life will I salt, pepper, spoil, and embitter! I + know you are no friend to wind instruments, you fall into convulsions when you hear + them: Well then! I will sound the hunting-horn – Trurutrutru! I shall find ways to + unnerve you.

+ +
+
+ Thirteenth Scene. + The former. The Chambermaid. +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Your register has a hole! says Spiegelberg or Glasberg. You’ve left out the + bridegroom. What if he now arrives?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. + (to the Chamberm.) +

You and I, truthfully, shall not remain here.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Most certainly not!

+ +
+
+ Final Scene. + The Lover. The Niece. The Chambermaid. The Servant. + + The Niece. +

How came it all so suddenly?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

No matter! he will not overtake us: we shall be far gone by then –

+ + + The Niece. +

Far away, to the sanctuary of love!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

He is here already.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Heaven’s messenger! Take this eight-groschen piece for such tidings. It is really he, + is it not?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Indeed, indeed! In One Act, and titled?

+ + + The Niece. +

Without further ado: The Lover and his Servant.

+ + + The Servant. +

Too much honour for me.

+ + + The Lover. +

Well then: Lackey’s Wit and Chambermaid’s Cunning.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

I beg you to leave me out of this game. I did nothing in it, save pilfer a letter + which we did not even need.

+ + + The Servant. +

And what I did in all this was chiefly done to win your hand, dearest little rogue. + So let the play be called All for His Girl, after the Spanish: + Todo por su dama. That will sound strange to the audience. But so + much the likelier shall they applaud.

+ +
+
+ (The curtain falls.) +
+
+ Second Scene. + The Niece. The Chambermaid. + + The Chamberm. +

Of course it is I, my lady.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Dearest confidante, shall I ever possess him?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Oh certainly; the bridegroom –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

My uncle’s intention – –

+ +
+
+ Second Scene. + The Niece. The Chambermaid. + + The Chamberm. +

Here I am. Without me, it will not do.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Fortune demands time. –

+ +
+
+ + Dramatis Personae. + The old Councillor of Commerce. + Blanka, his niece. + Dorette, her maid. + Von Wangenheim. + Schnurr, his servant. + + +

(The scene is a room.)

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Did you hear the message from that saucy mouth? What now, young sir?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Yes, if only my stern uncle would not –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Ah! in your way, I see no way out.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Let me embrace you!

+ +
+
+ Third Scene. + The former. The Lover. + + The Lover. + (hastening in, embracing her) +

Beloved of my heart!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (secretly to the Lover) +

But heavens, why are you here?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Those cursed letters of my uncle!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Dearest, do you still care for me?

+ +
+
+ Fourth Scene. + The Niece. The Lover. + + The Niece. +

Excess is harmful, even in love. – Let us rather put it to the test now – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

By no means. I will be wiser than many another love-sick girl. I will not rashly + throw my rich dowry to the winds. So let us think upon some means.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Out of caution, lest the old man suspect anything, who caught me with my servant upon + the stairs.

+ +
+
+ Seventh Scene. + The Uncle. The Niece. + + The Niece. +

What is your command, dear Uncle?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

The son of his friend must absolutely receive my hand: thus wills my uncle.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Hush! I am no foolish lover from Friedrich Jünger’s "Abduction". I have a purpose, + and purpose must have its due, so I, my marriage portion. Therefore we must devise a + plan.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Let us flee; seek a sanctuary where love may dwell untroubled – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

But where, then, is the young gentleman?

+ +
+
+ Sixth Scene. + + The Uncle + (entering with an open letter in his hand) +

That is true: My old friend von Eschen moves slowly, yet surely. How he writes here, + how he has decked out his son before sending him forth to woo! Welcome then, young Mr. + Jeremias! To arrive to-morrow, perhaps even to-day? Well and good! I would you were + already here, that my ward’s coquetries might have an end; for she must take you, Mr. + Jeremias. You are worthy, wealthy, well brought up, fairly brimming with knowledge of + every kind – what an excellent match for my niece. – But where is she? She is wont to + be here at this hour? – Hallo! (He rings. The Cchambermaid appears in the + doorway.) I would speak with my niece, at once!

+ + + The Chamberm. +

As you command. (Exit)

+ + + The Uncle. + (alone) +

I will make her plainly and roundly understand my ultimatum in this matter.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Dearest Uncle – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Well then, take her, but get that fellow there (pointing to the + Servant) out of my sight.

+ + + The Lover. +

With pleasure.

+ + + The Uncle. +

And you too, no doubt, shall soon depart with your cara amata? + –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

My life’s happiness – –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Schnetterdeng! sounded the postilion’s horn. The passengers dismounted, a young + gentleman asked the coachman a brief question; he pointed with his finger, and the + young gentleman now makes his way toward our house.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Larifari!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Tears, indeed, Mademoiselle?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

His case is decided, be it in his favour or to his detriment; for in either event – + –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– Lies in the hands of your betrothed, who with each passing second draws nearer + –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I pity you. You went out for wool and return home shorn. But why did you go for wool + at all, when there were no sheep for you to shear?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Be calm. When the bridal gown is finished, the hour of your resurrection shall also + strike.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Say rather an unhappy, a singularly unhappy –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

You are consigning me to death.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Only a postponement, dearest Uncle.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

I take my leave –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Nonsense! „Maiden, do you take the present gentleman, Mr. **, to be your wedded + husband?“ – The dead awoke! Answer: Yes!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

By no means! A preposterous one.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. + (weeping) +

If my good mother could see how you treat me!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– to become wretched –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Adieu!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant + (in the doorway) +

Indeed!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Away, Mademoiselle, you shall be dealt with accordingly.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– That must yield to your tyrannical decree of power –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Dear Uncle, I implore you! is this a just proceeding?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

But I shall return.

+ +
+
+ + (speaking toward the door) +

Only a moment. He is gone. I shall call at once, if indeed the air is entirely clear. + (at the cabinet) Yes, the old man has gone upstairs. It is his hour + for reading the newspaper. – Quick now! Come closer! Is your master with you?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Then take her, so I may have peace from the madman. – Adieu, Sir. You too shall soon + depart, dear children?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Most gracious Princess Contradiction, the comedy draws to its end; make haste, lest + you be hissed from the stage. Be sensible!

+ +
+
+ Ninth Scene. + The Chambermaid. The Lover. The Servant. +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

That will not be necessary.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Alas! her lovely freedom is gone.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Be calm! Where there is love, there is also cunning; and at times embarrassment: + Kotzebue knew that well enough, why should not we?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

There are master and servant!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Help, and rely upon your master's generosity. If I even do you an additional service, + he will surely not fail to reward you handsomely.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (Exit.) + + + The Chamberm. +

The young gentleman enters the house.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Bring him up!!

+ + + The Chamberm. + (holds the door open.) + +
+
+ Ninth Scene. + The Chambermaid. The Lover. The Servant. +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Quickly, let me hear –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Not as with young squire Hans von Birken do I mean to act out a sentimental play for + the suitor. Nothing of the sort! I know a better course.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

My ear listened, my heart pounded, out of vexation, mind you. Do not imagine it + pounded from anything else. Our young lady’s betrothed approaches, tomorrow – perhaps + even today.

+ +
+
+ The Uncle. The Chambermaid. + + The Servant + (in a ridiculous attire, pieced together from every fashion journal of Europe, + quite in the manner of our beardless aesthetes and fine spirits, who, as is well + known, despise the laws of unity in the realm of true beauty as the idle fancies of + some obsolete Greek classic, since a true aesthete, as everyone knows, need not + understand Greek at all.) + + + The Uncle. +

How happy I am to finally be able to welcome you.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

So think I as well. I will wage a noble battle for my master and lord.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Yes, yes, let us know – – The walls here have no ears, do they?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

How shall we deter the young squire from dipping into the dish set before him?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Yes. Here he stands. It is I, I play the fine gentleman, Mr. ** – – what is his + name?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

My lord, I come to bring you joy. Observe me. Attend me. Hear me. How do I please + you?

+ +
+
+ + + The Lover. +

Witling!

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Scoundrel!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

For heaven’s sake! have mercy on me!

+ + + The Servant. +

Never, not unless you relent. You will not spare yourself, how, then, can I spare + you?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Who cared about the name!

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

Braggart!

+ + + The Lover. +

Buffoon!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, a little astonishment, which you inspire in me, aside, I am delighted – –

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

So it was you?

+ + + The Lover. +

A fine idea!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

All the same! Such fellows are usually called von Birken, or Bocklümmel, or + Feldkümmel –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Do it; but it must be done quickly. Once you have him, toss him to me over the garden + wall.

+ +
+
+ Tenth Scene. + The Lover. The Servant. +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Astonishment? Rapture? What is the meaning of this? How says the Frenchman? What must + you become upon beholding me? troublé, cajolé, + écrasé, mortifié, massacré, + transformé, analysé – sacré nom de + Dieu! How says the Englishman? troubled, + bubbled, coaxed, boxed, + plucked, sucked, huddled, + puddled, washed, plashed – + Bless my soul! – Good morning, Sir – + As you like it – All in the wrong – + Measure for measure! (pounds the table.)

+ + + The Uncle. +

Sir, let us speak sensible German.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That cannot be discussed. You have nothing to do here but to follow me.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

A thought strikes me. What if we could get hold of the letter which my beloved’s + uncle received yesterday?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Ah, you dearest of sirs! (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

But how so? What have I to do with the affair?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Only patience, sir! No one speaks here now but I. Do you know, sir, that I have come + to know the world as well as my toothpick case? The most famous statesmen, for + instance, the editor of the "Old "or the "New Firebrands", and the most celebrated + writers, for instance, the editor of the "Berlin Express Post", are on familiar terms + with me. When those renowned doctors and men of the Order of Merit – pour le + mérite – travelled to Brazil, I furnished them with essays on the + geography and ethnography of that ancient empire. And where, sir, did I sit when I + wrote those essays? Upon my father’s estate at Zippelsdorf in Farther Pomerania, in + the cowshed, because at the time I was obliged to undergo a milk cure –

+ + + The Uncle. +

Sir, enough is enough! I wish you were still sitting there.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

To be sure, the title of "Sir" belongs properly to me here; yet I shall + be modest.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Fool! and yet not one of the worst sort. Lead the way now!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Is it not a convention in comedies that the servant must have a saucy tongue toward + his master? Still, I meant no real offense with you. Forgive me!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Does it please you? Yes!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What objections! What interruptions! Know, Sir, that I am here – at + least for this moment – to play the leading part. Had I not come, I would not be here; + were I not here, I could not marry your young niece; if I do not marry your young + niece, she will, in all likelihood, become an old maid; if she becomes an old maid, + she will assuredly grow absurd, foolish, bigoted, slanderous, covetous, envious, + miserly, quarrelsome! Who, then, is the main person here? Why, then, do you interrupt + me?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

An honour I must first earn. Therefore, I shall not yet make true use of it.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That is the privilege of a cunning servant in comedies, to be a know-it-all. And + though we are not actually playing a comedy here, it certainly looks very much as + though we were.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I am not so yet. At least not for you. I know what you seek. My ward, and with her no + insignificant fortune.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant + (exits) + + + The Lover + (follows him.) + +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I truly do not know – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Nor am I that yet; at least not for you. I know, without a word from + your lips, what you want. You want money, and along with it to marry a girl, my + ward.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

And were you to beg on bended knee; to kneel and beg till your knees were raw – I say + No! No! No!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Foolishness! It will take quite different men than you and I to burst open this + prison. Do you know the young Mr. von **? He will be coming.

+ + + The Lover. +

What do you say?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Why yes indeed, sir! I must speak with you. I inquired after you once already today. + I found you not to be seen –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Sad enough! Had you, like myself, a clear faculty of apprehension and a secure talent + for exposition, you would deal differently with me. Before all else you would long + since have asked me: Sir, who are you? What is your honoured name?

+ +
+
+ + (emerges from the cabinet) +

“To steal, one must know the ways, that makes half the work!” is a passage from the + Mirror of Virtue for chambermaids, drawn from many one-act farces of famous authors. + Whether I’ve understood the passage? I should think so, for the letter is in my hands. + The old man laid it beside his pipe. – But where are master and servant? Already gone? + Then I must after them. Quick, down the backstairs! (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Well then, as soon as she is free, I shall run off with her.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I cannot abide you.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Give heed to me. I am making you the most reasonable representations. True, I am not + wealthy, yet I am perfectly able to make a wife happy in every respect.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Heavens above! My bile is rising. So, state your name.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Very categorical!

+ + + The Uncle. +

You think so? So do I. Then we are of one mind, and you will be glad to learn that + your tender shepherdess is under house arrest.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I shall indeed; but not because you desire it. Quite other motives will lead me to + it.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

He is here!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Who?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

In the Swindlers’ Alley a country coach drew up. A young gentleman alighted. He + whispered but two words into the ear of the innkeeper at the Unicorn, who thereupon + pointed with his finger toward our house, toward which the young gentleman now + hastened with quick steps.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That I should be a fool, and give answer to such a question!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Oh, assuredly it is your betrothed!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, it is now time you sought your fortune elsewhere.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

He has already arrived.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Truly? What say you?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (secretly to the Lover) +

Why then do you come here once more?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

That is enough to drive one mad! Why then would you have me pose this, this very + question to you?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I regard you with joyful rapture and with astonishment.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Yet I shall return again.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Your happiness, your lasting happiness, enters your house with me. – How do I appear + to you?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What is this? Do you intend to ignore me, misjudge me, laugh at me, mock me, deride + me, despise me, put me aside, look down on me –?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Just so. All wish to know everything, no one wishes to know himself. Were you to know + yourself properly, you would not make your memory into a lumber-room, into which you + fling your notions head over heels, so that in the decisive moment you can never find + the right one. True, in that you bear some resemblance to certain German philosophers; + but in my presence you ought to be ashamed of it. Your memory should, in all fairness, + have told you my name before ever you asked for it.

+ +
+
+ Fourteenth Scene. + The Uncle. The Chambermaid. + + The Servant. + (The latter in a ridiculous attire dictated by the newest laws of fashion, such + as may be observed on merchant’s apprentices or lads of other trades, on budding young + aesthetes from the lower forms, or on certain young gentlemen to whom an inheritance + of eighty to a hundred thousand thalers had been guaranteed already in the + cradle.) + + + The Uncle. +

Enter, you blessed one, into my house!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

But, when I return –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Quite right; for you have not even inquired after me. Why do you not ask what my name + is?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Quite right, merely to prove to you, tout bonnement, how greatly + you stand in need of my company, my instruction, my guidance, my assistance, my + support; for if you needed none of this, then you would not have asked, + since you might have known the answer to your question beforehand.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, how so? How can I know your name?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

In truth, I cannot say.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Well then! And you take me for so simple-minded that I should not know whether my + father, in so important a matter, mentioned my name in such a letter or not? You would + ignore that? Sir, you must make amends for it this instant and tell me + what my name is.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

How could it be otherwise? You would gladly take me for confused, and yet you seem to + be so a little yourself; otherwise you would, before all else, have asked for my + name.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Ergo! – which in plain German means: Irk you! Must not so + important a letter contain my significant name? Well then? And therefore, that you may + not mislead me, nor any other, nor deceive us both, it is for me to ask. So then, sir, + what is my name?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Indeed. Did you not yesterday, or if the post allowed it, already the day before + yesterday, receive a letter from my father?

+ + + The Uncle. +

Why yes!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Quite naturally! Can not an impostor, a lover in disguise, pass himself off as me and + deceive you?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Quite right! The little maid there would persuade me; but I understand her before she + speaks. She would tell me it is time to greet my bride. – Old sir, be quick now, and + lead me to her.

+ +
+
+ Fifteenth Scene. + The Uncle. The Servant. The Niece. The Chambermaid. + + The Uncle. + (presenting) +

Here the bride – here the bridegroom –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. + (to himself) +

He must not learn that I shut her in. (aloud) At once, sir. (He + secretly slips the chambermaid a key and gives her a sign.)

+ + + The Chamberm. +

At your command, gracious sir. (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Thus then! Can so important a letter possibly omit my name? Never, sir! But why do + you withhold it from me? Why do you act as though you did not know it? That is an + affront. What would many a man, many an author be without a name? A man’s name is his + true property, therefore no one is to be blamed if he deals loosely with his good + name; for a man may do with his name what he pleases. But why do you lay hands on my + property? Quickly now, return it to me, and tell me what my name is.

+ +
+
+ Fifteenth Scene. + The Uncle. The Servant. The Niece. The Chambermaid. + + The Uncle. + (presenting) +

Do you desire to make acquaintance, as is fitting for future spouses?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

How? What do you say?

+ + + The Chamberm. + (aside) +

He goes too far! Truly, he ventures too much. (softly to the servant) + Caution!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Never!

+ + + The Uncle. +

What? You still refuse?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

To say no requires no great deliberation; and I have said no, I shall say no – + forever!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Foolish girl that you are!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. + (angrily) +

Sir, what are you prattling about? Why, my whole household knows well enough that you + are the young Mr. von **!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What is this? You would force me? You would force the young lady? You would force us + both? My father is to come to your aid in this? Good! To oppose a father is impossible + for me. I shall marry the young lady.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Aha!

+ + + The Chamberm. + (aside) +

What? Surely he will not? Is he possessed?

+ + + The Servant. +

But my wedding-day shall be your dying-day! I know it well, you are a lover of the + chase. I might waylay you, like Hugo Owl did Carlos in The Guilt – "a + flash from the tower" – and you would be gone. Afterwards I might feign that I had + slain myself, and the matter would be set aside as antiquated; but no! I have sounder + and simpler means to vex you to death. I might, for instance, twist the + neck of your favourite hound, Waldmann – the innkeeper where I lodged described him to + me exactly – gone you would be, you would die of bile fever; or shorter still, I could + ram your rifle with a stump of tallow-candle, so that upon firing you get a blowback + that sends you to the sickbed and soon thereafter into the grave.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Mademoiselle, do I hear aright? You would play a romance with me? and a tasteless one + at that, in which the true lover is to be the deceived one? Am I not your true lover? + Has not your uncle appointed me? Me? a specimen of a perfect youth, such as does not + let itself be appointed every day, like the prescription of certain physicians, which + is in truth but a directive to the gravedigger, payable à + vista?

+ + + The Uncle. +

Now, now! You are bursting in like a door flung off its hinges. When my niece has + composed herself and found her words, then – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Raise no hopes. Even at the altar I shall say no.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Do not listen to the prattle of that silly novel-struck girl!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Is the witch tormenting you?

+ + + The Servant. +

By no means, but you shall be made to believe you are bewitched, so hard + will I deal with you. I will make an epigram upon you and have it printed, a sharp + one, in the Morning, Noon, Evening, and Midnight Journal; further, I will set it to + music myself, have it sung in the streets with a barrel-organ, and on the title-page + of the pamphlet, which I shall distribute by the thousand for free, I will have your + well-hit portrait engraved in tin or copper.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Do you see your error now? Or rather, do you see that your error was in truth + no error? that you should have asked after all?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Madman!

+ + + The Servant. +

Or no! I will not have it said of me, as in the tragedy: Your very breath is murder! + But I will vex you to death before you celebrate your birthday again.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (to the Uncle) +

What? that fellow is a downright fop! And I hear you mean to give your ward to him + for a wife? Is it possible? But listen to me! I submit to everything that can be + submitted to. I know it – the guardianship accounts (softly) are + troubling you. Here is my hand, I will give you a written bond that I have already + received your niece’s fortune to the last farthing. Well? Will you at last consent to + my marriage with her?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– My wish for –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Take the girl then, upon this condition. But you, young whirlwind – out with you! at + once! And as for you two? When do you travel?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

The fellow is mad, stark mad. Why then not you, but I; why I and not she?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Who has the right to ask questions here? Only I, sir. I am the spurned one, the + mocked one, the derided one, the teased, the tricked, the hounded, the wronged, the + torn, the cramped, the oppressed –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What? Sir, you dare speak thus to my face? (to the Uncle) Do you not + see that the man has lost his senses? Come to your reason! Abandon this accursed + marriage scheme! Give me your ward’s hand and – (softly) for half the + dowry I will make out a deed of gift to you.

+ +
+
+ Sixteenth Scene. + The Lover. The former. + + The Lover. +

Heavens above, I hear a stranger has slipped into the house. Perhaps a second Sand – + Where is he? (to uncle and niece) You are not wounded, are you? – Who + is the gentleman here?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Patience, only patience, you tyrannical old guardian! I shall wage war upon you, + since you have declared war upon me. All your favourite pursuits will I attack: your + gardening, your library, your picture-collection, your pipe-bowls, and that in + unheard-of ingenious ways; even your hunting-hound, Melusine, shall have no peace from + me.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Indeed! Suppose now I were a masked lover of your niece, who might wish to snatch her + from the bridegroom, and for that end had slipped in here under a borrowed name? Well + then, sir? Ought you not in that case to have been cautious – –

+ +
+
+ (The curtain falls.) +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Stop! Say no more. I fear I have played our game with a poor hand. What then, if the + true bridegroom should appear tomorrow?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. + (revealing himself) +

You have me to thank for this.

+ +
+
+ (The curtain falls.) +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

By thunder! What are you saying?

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Upon my soul! He goes too far; if only the old man does not notice. (She gives + the servant a secret sign.)

+ +
+
+ Final Scene. + The Lover. The Niece. The Servant. The Chambermaid. + + The Niece. +

Do tell me. What brought about this sudden change?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

You forget the true bridegroom. And if he should come? Consider, we are not playing a + comedy here; we are in the real world.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Hope for everything!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Strict he is, that is true, and his intentions are most unfavourable to you. Besides, + late last night he received yet another letter –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. + (yielding) +

Hm! hm! Not another word of our quarrel. Present me to your niece, and you will see + that I am no disguised lover of hers.

+ +
+
+ Marriage by Cunning. + An Afterpiece in One Act. +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

He will be here shortly.

+ +
+
+ Second Scene. + The Niece. The Chambermaid. + + The Chamberm. +

Indeed, and I arrive at precisely the right moment.

+ +
+
+ A Clever Servant Sets His Master Right. + A Prelude in One Act. +
+
+ + The Uncle. + (aside) +

By all the skies! and she is locked in! You! (He signals to the + Chambermaid) – My niece shall appear at once, sir! (secretly into the + chambermaid’s ear) Unlock the green room. Here is the key. + (aloud) Go, child, bring my niece to us.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

At once, gracious sir. (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Alas, there is little pleasant to be hoped for from that quarter;especially if the + letter which the postman brought late last night – –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Let us leave that aside for now. Your adored one is coming.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Well?

+ + + The Niece. +

Our common interest –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Burning love, which since yesterday afternoon, when you last spoke, has risen to such + a height by today! (to herself)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Your niece has surely not already bestowed her heart elsewhere?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Let us not torment ourselves before the time; your lover’s arms are beckoning + you.

+ +
+
+ + + The Niece. +

Joy of love, how you beatify!

+ + + The Lover. +

Let this embrace speak for me!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

The god of love will stand by us. Press your beloved to your heart.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

I shall strike the suitor dead.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

By no means. (entering from the side) He must not learn the truth.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Should I, like a foolish maiden, drain the oil from my household lamp, the very oil + with which I might supply it, while I am striving to win my uncle over to my side?

+ + + The Lover. +

I cannot see how you can hesitate even for a moment to fall in with my + plan.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

What a mad notion!

+ +
+
+ Sixth Scene. + + The Uncle. + (enters with an open letter in his hand.) +

Welcome letter, that commands me at last to set the crown upon my work. The + bridegroom is coming, today, tomorrow – well then! Now must I, now will I keep the + word I gave to my honest sword-hilt, my good old friend Plumper. His son Hans, or + Michel, or Lebrecht, or whatever else he may be called, shall have my ward, and the + little girl shall not mutter a word. – Hallo! Niece! Where is she hiding? (He + rings. The chambermaid enters) My ward, the young lady! Hither at once, + without delay!

+ + + The Chamberm. +

At your service. (Exit.)

+ + + The Uncle. +

I am weary of this sentimental trifling. – Well then, my dear niece?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Let the little I can call my own go as it will. With you, I am happy in every + condition of life.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Self-will in womankind is detestable to me; yet the coercion of guardians is still + more hateful. "Man is born free, is free; may marry whom he pleases!" says a famous + poet, whom I intend to publish in an improved edition at Gotha or Stuttgart, where + improved translations of renowned foreign classics appear. – Ah, surely your young + Miss Niece!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Can you jest while my heart is bleeding?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– Does not concern me.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– Who with good reason must be called a simpleton, a nowhere-man and a + beyond-all-bounds.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– Will be your bridegroom’s concern.

+ +
+
+ Fifteenth Scene. + The Uncle. The Servant. The Niece. The Chambermaid. + + The Uncle. + (presenting) +

Get to know one another, and at once, that my blessing may lead you to the bridal + chamber.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

O, heavens above! Guardian, sir!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Novel nonsense!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Did I hear aright? O, misfortune without equal! – Dearest uncle!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

None of that! Not a day, not an hour!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

At your service, my young lady, I am here to marry you.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

You think I am – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

By no means! No delay! Decided – concluded!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

You bring it about that my last hour is striking.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– a pitiable one, torn to pieces at heart.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

By no means, sir.

+ + + The Uncle. +

What? (softly to her) Don’t you dare!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

You are opening the grave of my youthful bloom.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– to be happy –

+ +
+
+ Eighth Scene. + + The Chambermaid + (sneaks in) + +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– to become a housewife, if she has the skill for it.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Alas, unhappy wretch that I am! What must I hear? You disdain me? I kneel, as it + were, before you like Count Leicester before Queen Elizabeth; I stand, as it were, + humble and yet high-nosed before you like Essex before that same queen; I am better + disposed toward you than Hamlet toward Ophelia, for I do not say to you: "Go to a + nunnery." Were it night and were we in a garden, I should be tender toward you like + Romeo toward Juliet, but in broad daylight and in the presence of your uncle, that + would offend propriety: and yet, yet you spurn me, cruel one?

+ + + The Uncle. +

Now, be calm, without pathos. My niece will, as soon as she finds her words, tell you + – –

+ +
+
+ + (speaking back over her shoulder) +

Stay outside a moment. I must take my chance first. Right! the young lady is locked + up, and the old man is going into the picture-gallery. (calling out) + Quickly, come in. Your master remained behind, did he not?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Away, I say! we know such rodomontades. Locked up – hunger – scruples – yielding – + obedience! Punctum!

+ +
+
+ +

Alas, alas, poor princess! Cruel, barbarous, treacherous, Turkish uncle – but he does + not hear me. He is clattering down into the back wing. – Quickly, come in! Your master + is here as well?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Good heavens, yes; I verily believe she is lying there in chains.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

What need have I to find my words? I have but one word to say, and that + word is No!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Ha! you ungrateful girl!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Certainly not! Two hundred ducats are yours, and then you may have yourself joined in + wedlock with your girl without a care.

+ +
+
+ Ninth Scene. + The Chambermaid. The Lover. The Servant. +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Alas! She is locked in.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Sir, I am moved, and when I am moved, I do whatever one asks of me. – Speak, + rogue’s-eye! "When, how, where shall I strike him?"

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What? You will not have me? truly, really, reliably, in fact, most certainly will not + have me? Good! Good, my fair young lady! then I will not have you either, truly not, + really not, reliably not, in fact not, most certainly not!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Do not let yourself be angered! Consider, worthy Mr. von **, that here there can be + no question of will at all. Only heed your father’s will, and mine.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Barbarous tormentor of girls!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Just listen! I was eavesdropping: The accursed squire is to come tomorrow, perhaps + even today.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Surely not. Only let him speak. – Go on, speak!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

How shall we get rid of the oppressor?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Nothing of counsel and nothing of listening! My pronouncement is, as it were, a + votum Dei; for Deus in me, you may hear that + in all my speeches.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Nonsense! Your father's word holds, and mine in this matter. My niece is not to be + consulted, and the contract already lies beneath my notary’s pen.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Who should be listening? It would be indiscreet indeed if anyone eavesdropped where I + am. Let the rascal speak on.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

I have been spying on the old man. And I heard that the bridegroom is perhaps to come + even today, definitely tomorrow.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Not that I mean to undertake anything against the suitor. That has happened a hundred + times over. Let him scratch who itches; we have a smooth skin, says someone in the + tragedy, at a moment, too, when the tragedy looks like a farce, and is for that very + reason a true tragedy.

+ +
+
+ + + The Lover. +

What?

+ + + The Chamberm. +

What do you say?

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What contract? What notary? I am notary enough myself; I have gone through the + Pandects, I have studied the Criminal Code, the Sancta Carolina; to + the devil with all notaries when I am present; besides, no contract is needed + here.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Indeed, indeed! The matter is settled between your father and me. Nothing in it can + be undone, and, in short and good: You must marry my niece.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Pah! All the same! What are such village dullards usually called in comedies? + Sebastian Lämmerzahn, or Thaddäus Bocklümmel, Theophilus Feldkümmel, or Hans von + Birken, or Jeremias von Eschen, or plain Plumper.

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

You?

+ + + The Lover. +

Hahaha!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

Well? What next?

+ + + The Lover. +

To the point!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Look at me, and you have seen him.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What do you say? Must? Sir, who must? No one must! The word was invented by some + despot, some tyrant, some zealot! and folly has echoed it and made a creed of it. Do + you take me for a simpleton? What? You say I must marry your niece. No, I + do not have to marry her; but now I will marry her.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Aha! So we submit, do we?

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Is he still in his right mind? (aside)

+ + + The Servant. +

But why do I mean to marry her? In order to stay here in this house, here, with you, + where I shall find a thousand occasions to vex and torment you – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

To arms! The enemy is here! Forward! Attack! The bridegroom, the detested one – he is + already arrived!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

But how will you make it possible?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Excellent! I shall steal the letter, if there is any way to do it.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Only quickly now. I must change my clothes.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, is the devil tormenting you?

+ + + The Servant. +

No, but I mean to torment you.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Go, leave us.

+ + + The Servant. +

Never! Now I stay here and marry, and then I shall vex you to death. I am + expeditious, you shall not have long to wait.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Well then, steal it, but do not let yourself be caught, and bring your spoil to me in + the great vine-arbour in the garden.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Let me draw your attention to something. By means of the letter which your young + lady’s uncle received yesterday, we might perhaps be able to – –

+ +
+
+ Tenth Scene. + The Lover. The Servant. +
+
+ + The Lover. +

So we are to go, then?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

There is something wrong in the upper storey with that man.

+ + + The Niece. +

And yet I am to marry him?

+ + + The Uncle. +

I would you had him, and were seated with him at the world’s end.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

If it pleases you –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

In a word, I perform an action by which I make it plainly known that, although I + spoke words to you that were not befitting, I am nevertheless the servant and you the + master, that is what one calls a sharp drawing of the characters.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Noble. Almost too noble for a servant. Only let it not turn out in the end that you + have actually had an education. Go on ahead!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Privileges of a cunning servant, such as I am to represent just now. When the comedy + is ended, the actors are all equal again.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

You read. You have a precious library. Good! I shall glue all the pages of your books + together, so that the books, as it were, have no contents at all, which is already the + case with most of them.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What an idea!

+ +
+
+ Twelfth Scene. + The Uncle. The Lover. + (Both exit through the central door.) +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Indeed, sir! It is not the first time today that I have come here to speak with you. + Earlier you were not to be spoken with.

+ +
+
+ Eleventh Scene. + The Chambermaid. +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I, poor tormented man!

+ + + The Servant. +

Do not hope for any compassion from the audience. The audience has never yet had pity + on a self-willed uncle who is well taken to task in a comedy. Such a comedy I mean to + play with you. I shall so embellish your picture-gallery that you will have to hang + the paintings face to the wall. I shall paint a wig-bag on your Flora and a pair of + Ypsilanti-trousers on your Apollo; your sea-battle I shall set ablaze with phosphorus, + and the Plauen Valley I shall colour caca-dauphin –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

What impudence: have I not long since told you my opinion without reserve? And yet + you come here to me again?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

With your permission! Even experienced men, such as you, may be mistaken, and you + have been mistaken. I desire but one thing here: your niece’s hand, not her fortune; + therefore I beg – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

"And why not? Are you not the guardian of your young niece? I am here for the second + time to-day, and demand to speak with you, because earlier you were not to be seen." + Und warum nicht? Sind Sie nicht der Vormund Ihrer Fräulein Nichte? Ich bin zum + zweitenmale heute hier, und verlange Sie zu sprechen, weil Sie vorhin noch nicht + sichtbar waren.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

I have already heard of this fresh proof of your tyrannical cruelty.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I will have you thrown out of the house.

+ + + The Servant. +

I will submit to that; but only on condition that I do not then marry the young lady. + If that satisfies you, then have me thrown out.

+ + + The Uncle. +

That may be done as soon as you have married my niece.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Nonsense! She will not be set free until she lies in new chains and bonds, namely, in + the arms of him who is to come –

+ + + The Lover. +

What?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Very concisely spoken!

+ + + The Uncle. +

I am so now, and I mean to be so, even if I were not so. Besides, the matter is + settled; my niece is incarcerated until she – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Free must my beloved be, free she shall become, and you, sir, you are the one who + will yourself open the door of her prison.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Indeed, sir, you are short of words.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Truly? You think so? Oh yes, I am satisfied with myself, and that my languishing + niece may also be satisfied with me, I have shut her up, and shall not set her free + until – –

+ +
+
+ Sixteenth Scene. + The former. The Lover. + + The Lover. +

Heavens above, what is going on here? One can already hear outside the dreadful + uproar that is within. Who is the gentleman?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Alas! I am going.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

He is here?

+ + + The Uncle. +

Truly? Who? He?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (secretly) +

Had I not to try to lull the old man asleep? Why, he saw our ally with me.

+ +
+
+ Thirteenth Scene. + The former. The Chambermaid. +
+
+ + The Servant. +

The questioning belongs to me. Who are you? Some marten in the + hen-house; a lover, most likely, come to pass himself off as me? Is it not so? + (mimicking him) You are the young Mr. von **, whom his father sends + hither to marry the gracious young lady there – Hoho! We know everything! You are + unmasked, the true one is already here, and you must clear the field – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. + (softly to her) +

I wished to set the old man’s mind at ease; and I think it has succeeded.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

He need not come any more; he is already here.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Haha! There we have it. Now off with you, Your Worship.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Do not trouble yourself.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

With joy I behold you; with delight, though also with a little astonishment.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

But do come to your senses.

+ + + The Servant. +

Never! By no means! Absolutely not! Most decidedly not!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Why so? Fresh mad notions!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Indeed, sir, I am a little astonished at your appearance, though delighted –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Yet I shall appear once more.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Well then, sir, this welcome leads me to hope that I shall please you more and + more.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

And to this madman you would sacrifice your ward? Sir, consider your conscience, your + peace, your happiness in life! (softly) The Spanish sheep, two hundred + in number, on my little estate: you always liked them; give me your niece, and the + sheep are yours.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Two hundred sheep for a single little lamb – a good bargain.

+ + + The Lover. +

Well then, strike it –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Must not my name be mentioned in so important a document? Therefore + I must ask you what my name is, that no confusion may + arise, no fraud take place. So then, sir, what is my name?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Naturally! Quite after the manner of modern scribblers; you do not think of what is + needful, you fasten upon what is useless; otherwise you would long since have asked my + name.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, how can I – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Assuredly, for you are not even clear with yourself, let alone with me. Were you so, + you would long since have inquired of me about myself, would have asked who I am, what + my name is – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Truly?

+ + + The Lover. +

As true as I am an honest man!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

And you take me for such a simpleton as to suppose I would answer that?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Thunder and lightning! How should I know what your name is?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

I would not have her become my wife through compulsion; compulsion is hateful to me. + – Ha! is that she coming?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. + (yielding) +

But enough for your instruction this time. Call for your young niece and present me + to her.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

With pleasure! Join your hands! And you, sir, you all-knowing man, reasoner and + prattler – leave my house. And you two, my dears, you will soon be travelling as well, + I suppose?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Well then, so you do know it! And yet you asked? And still, if we consider it + rightly, you had to ask after all.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Naturally. There are examples – disguised lovers who steal a bridegroom’s name – who + lead father, uncle, or guardian by the nose; thus you ought to have inquired.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Your niece is not, I trust, disinclined to a marriage with me?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

All the thousand devils! Sir, why do you drive me to swearing? What am I actually to + do? Ask, and then not ask? Not ask, and yet ask again?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Today yet. Rely on it.

+ + + The Uncle. +

And on your promise. Adieu, we shall meet again. (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

I have nothing further to say but No, and No I shall, I must, I will say, so long as + I have a tongue.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Deluded creature!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That would be the very devil! even if your niece were ten times an angel. You mean to + force us, then? Good, I give in –

+ + + The Chamberm. +

What? Has the devil got into him? (aside)

+ + + The Servant. +

You are a botanist. I know it, you have even a reputation as a botanist, Sir Linnaeus + is said to have learnt much from you, perhaps even to have gone to school under you. – + Good! Force me, and I shall have your herbarium boiled into my wedding soup.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

You are mistaken, sir, I do not choose you for my husband.

+ + + The Uncle. +

What is this? (softly to her) I warn you!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

So indeed? You persist in this hasty, ill-considered, unreflecting, unweighed, + precipitate, to me dreadful, outrageous, maddening No? Good, my fair proud one. – + Manus manibus laxat! or however the proverb may go – As you treat + me, so I treat you – tit for tat – as one calls into the wood, so the echo answers – + If you come at me so, I come at you so! Know then the consequence of your No. It is + this: I will not have you either!

+ + + The Uncle. +

But, my heavens, you must listen to your father, to me, to my counsel.

+ +
+
+ Final Scene. + The former, except the uncle. + + The Niece. +

But good heavens, this sudden change –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What is that black-coat doing here? Here, where there is no business for him?

+ + + The Uncle. +

Indeed there is business for him. He is to set the matter between you and my ward in + proper order, as her father wills it, as I will it, as my niece is to will it, and as + you must; yes, sir, must!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

No, sir, no! A thousand times no!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Foolish girl, you dare?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Well then, has my beloved at last arrived?

+ +
+
+ + Dramatis Personae. + von Bellheim. + His Niece. + Her Chambermaid. + von Waltersdorf. + Husch, his Servant. + + +

(The scene is a room with side doors.)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. + (taking off the false hair-piece) +

A trick of my own invention.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Speak! Is he drawing near?

+ +
+
+ First Scene. + + The Niece. + (alone at her embroidery frame.) +

How this rose bends, glowing, over the forget-me-not – so, my love, shall you ever + guard in my heart the remembrance of my chosen one. – But where is he? Has no + hindrance befallen him? He knows the hour! Why then does he not come? But hush! I hear + footsteps – Well? Is it you at last?

+ +
+
+ + + The Niece. +

All sorrow is now forgotten!

+ + + The Lover. +

With you, I am happy!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

I never cease to hope.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

The rascal played so admirably that on the stage he could never miss the sly-servant + parts, nor, indeed, the intriguer’s roles in general.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

More of that later. Now it is time to receive your beloved.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What do you think?

+ + + The Niece. +

The danger that threatens our love –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Triumph of love! What but yesterday afternoon spoke and embraced and kissed now + clasps each other today with the same tenderness, with the same glow of passion!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Later on; now embrace your friend.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What? You mean to go? Not yet! The comedy is not ended; be so good as to consider, + what are we to do when the true bridegroom arrives?

+ +
+
+ + + The Niece. +

Joy of reunion, how it gladdens me!

+ + + The Lover. +

Feel my love in this kiss!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Without my guardian’s consent to our marriage, my fortune is lost – –

+ + + The Lover. +

Something, at least!

+ +
+
+ Sixth Scene. + + The Uncle. + (hurrying in, alone.) +

The time has come! The bridegroom is arriving. There shall be no further delay. My + ward must finally submit. Shall I have given my word to my old friend for nothing? No, + my honest Feldkümmel! We of the old stamp keep what we promise. Your lad is said to be + of good stuff, passably handsome, and to have learnt his trade. So, done! – Hey! Miss + Niece! (rings; to the Chambermaid who enters) Call your young lady! + (the girl exits) – She will resist; but it avails her nothing, + nothing at all! – Well then, Miss Niece?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Not too hastily. Caution can never harm. Love shall not make me blind. Without my + dowry I do not follow you; therefore let us – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Then, with my bride, I am over the hills and far away.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Rather would we, in the dark of night and fog –

+ +
+
+ Fifth Scene. + The former. The Chambermaid. + + The Chamberm. +

Shall the uncle surprise you? Left about, young sir! Come, my young lady!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

No questions! Listen to me! Attend! Bestir yourself! You must please, you shall + please. Whom? The young Mr. von **. He comes today, at latest tomorrow, and the moment + he comes, you are his bride.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– The bridegroom grants!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. + (to the Chambermaid) +

What shall we do, little mouse?

+ + + The Chamberm. +

I think we do as clever folk do, that is, the lovers.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Dearest uncle and guardian –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– Who would make a comedy-fool of me, that I must say yes –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Well? What now, my fine-dressed damsel?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Already given to him in love – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Excellent! We may well rejoice. Let the bridegroom give himself over to despair. But + he will not. I hear he has seen Paris and London. There one learns all kinds of + worldly wisdom. So he will laugh at my prank, even if he saw it on the stage, and on + the stage it will surely appear, since the scarcity of one-act prologues and epilogues + is unspeakably great.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

The happiness of my youth – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– an unhappy one, as none ever was –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Girl, do not vex me. You know my gout grows worse, and that when anger takes hold of + me –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Then, in your opinion, I should be –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Exactly. A comedy in one act. But how shall we christen it?

+ + + The Niece. +

Oh well; Love’s Pain and Prize.

+ + + The Lover. +

Or: A Wedding Without the Bridegroom.

+ + + The Niece. +

Or: A Bridegroom Without a Bride.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Or: O. A. C. R. Our Applause Comes Readily.

+ + + The Servant. +

Or: The Comedy with Two Weddings

+ + + The Lover. +

Or: He, She, and the Old Man.

+ + + The Servant. +

Or: The Old Man, He and She.

+ + + The Niece. +

Or: She, He and the Old Man.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Or: The Old Man, She and He.

+ + + The Lover. +

Or: She, the Old Man and He.

+ + + The Servant. +

Or: He, the Old Man and She. – The play must be prodigiously fine, for + it can bear a hundred titles. Is it not so, ladies and gentlemen?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Miss, moderate yourself, or – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Spare me! Grant me time! Only a few months, a few weeks at least –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Nonsense! At an engagement girls do not die nowadays; so soon as there is talk of a + bridegroom of flesh and bone –

+ +
+
+ +

Ah, alas! my poor young lady! Truly, he is shutting her in! (She listens at + the cabinet) Yes, yes, he is taking out the key. – What is to be done now? + (calling out) Hey! Sweetheart! Come in! Is your master there as + well?

+ +
+
+ (The curtain falls.) +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– upon whom they use force –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Away with you, misguided girl, who thinks herself above my fatherly care!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Declaim as you please; I shall lock you up nevertheless. You may make a + tragedy of the affair; I follow my plan and take it from a merry and yet + serious side – Forward, miss! (He leads her out.)

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– Do not further imagine that you are upon the stage with me.

+ +
+
+ End of the Forepiece. +
+
+ + The Niece. +

What? Shall I, like the innocent Scottish queen, be sacrificed to death for the sake + of my love?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Well then, little treasure?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Compose yourself! Cunning must help us.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

A well-filled purse shall be proof to you of my resolve.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Cunning? With that I can serve.

+ +
+
+ Ninth Scene. + The Chambermaid. The Lover. The Servant. +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Abominable comedy-uncle!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Never, though I must turn myself into gold. For my beloved’s freedom I sacrifice all + –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

How shall we drive the unwelcome guest away?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Well then, tell us your plan – –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Well then, we choose another means –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Barbaric, panderous procurer of bridegrooms!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Here is my plan. To execute it, since my reward is already counted out, is a + trifle.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Well then, speak, arch-rogue! – No one is eavesdropping on us?

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

What? You?

+ + + The Lover. +

Well?

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Since the matter is made difficult for me, I must use twice my wits.

+ +
+
+ + + The Lover. +

Truly?

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Appalling!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

To represent him bodily, leave that to me.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Speak, what is your intent?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

As you please. Stretch out your fingers and seize quick and true. At the greenhouse + in the garden I shall expect you.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

A happy thought! the letter must be stolen from the old man. I will try my skill on + it.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

There, dearest little rogue of all rogues, take this first as proof of my gratitude. + (He gives her money.)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

The pit – assuming I stood before such – sees in me, of course, the genius by whom + the whole play is steered; yet for all that I must not cease to be your servant. Even + if, ex. gr., I go before you as bell-wether, I must first perform + some act which marks you as master and me as servant.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Then shall we withdraw?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

The honour belongs to me, assuredly, but I shall make no use of it.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Such an act would be –?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

At your service: yes!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

And though you begged till your hair turned grey: I stand by my No!

+ +
+
+ Twelfth Scene. + The Uncle. The Lover. + (Both enter at the same time.) +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Beg as you please to your heart’s content; but I deny to my heart’s content.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant + (exits.) + + + The Lover. + (follows him.) + +
+
+ Twelfth Scene. + The Lover. The Uncle. + (Both hurry in through the central door.) +
+
+ + The Lover. +

You do me wrong. I desire only the girl; not the girl’s fortune; so let yourself be + persuaded.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Your niece will be set free; you will be forced to set her free.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

I already heard how you once again tormented the poor child with your barbarity. + Tyrant that you are!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Sir, you try to drive me mad! but you shall not succeed. I will see your niece freed, + for you will be made to free her.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Of course. Whoever refuses to let youthful folly run wild is a tyrant, a barbarian, a + Turk –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

It’s none of my concern. Said – done! You shall not have the girl.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

A cruelty that, alas! must have become a habit with you; for you are a tyrant!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Where? Where is he then?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Well now, the one who’s been promised!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

A carriage has stopped before the Red Rooster Inn. The young gentleman who stepped + out of it is already heading toward our house.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Well, who else? It’s him himself, and it must be.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

There you hear it! There is nothing for you to do here.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Ha! That’s how one leads a nosey suitor by the nose. He’s here – did you hear?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Sir, I have seen the world. I have been in London, Buxtehude and Katzenelnbogen, in + Paris, in Querfurt and on the Hunsrück, in Schweinfurt and Hirschberg, in Schaffhausen + and on Vogelsand, in Mölln and on Felsenburg Island, in Eipeldau and the Vierlanden + near Hamburg, in Prenzlau, Pest and Buda, in Oczakow and in the United States, in + Transylvania and Zweibrücken, in Hinterpommern and the Land of Wurste in Darmstadt and + in the Lüneburg Heath –

+ + + The Uncle. +

Don’t shout so, and consider where you are –

+ +
+
+ The Uncle. The Chambermaid. The Servant. + (The Latter is dressed conspicuously like a fop. He speaks in the Berlin, Saxon, + Pomeranian, or Mecklenburg peasant dialect; whichever is easiest, or rather most + mouth-filling, for the famous actor who makes this role his constant study. He may also + jumble all dialects together; so long as it has effect; for on effect alone rests the + value of a comedy.) + + The Uncle. + (going toward him) +

A thousand times welcome!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Hoho! Things must proceed quite differently. Only when you know my aptitudes, my + abilities, my talents, my merits, my excellences, my peculiarities, my views, + insights, prospects, intentions, overviews, and considerations, along with all my + histories and poems, my compositions, modulations, connections, oppositions, + improvisations and approbations, my scores and coloraturas, my technique, polytechnic + and mechanics, practice and tactics, aesthetics and poetics, logic and demagogy, + ornithology, periphrasis and allegory, my rodomontades and jeremiads, my plastic arts + and gymnastics –

+ + + The Uncle. +

Stop! Leave a word for other people!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

But I shall step forth again from the background into which you push me.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Sir, I am the one who speaks here, no one else! For I am wealthy, since I have money, + and besides that, I am well read. And what have I read? Schiller’s plays, and Seven + Girls in Uniform, who, when they came to Pest, grew to thirteen, or otherwise + multiplied to that number. I have read Goethe’s works and Kurländer’s almanac + comedies; Newton’s treatise and Cramer’s novels; Voltaire’s Pucelle and Klopstock’s + odes; Shakespeare’s Coriolanus and The Restless Matron of Pfyrt; Hufeland’s + Macrobiotics and Schilling’s Woman as She Is; Dante’s Inferno and the poems of the + improvisatore Wolff; the Minnesongs and The Berliners in Vienna; the doctrine of the + Infinite and Jean Paul’s Flegeljahre; Krusenstern’s Voyage Round the World and the + famous comedy Come Here!; the poems of the Magyars and Heß’s Topographical Description + of the City of Hamburg; Tieck’s Puss in Boots and Aubry’s dog; Engelmann’s Lithography + and the Berlin Schnellpost –

+ + + The Uncle. +

Sir, don’t make my head spin!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Hoho! I’d be a fool to tell you now what my name is.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

But, in the devil’s name, how am I supposed to –?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Well then, for heaven’s sake! What is your esteemed name?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

I trust your niece will have no objection –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

The fellow is making me dizzy! And why now me again and not you? and not you, but + me?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. + (to himself) +

I nearly forgot she’s locked up. (aloud) At once, at once, sir. + (With a gesture, handing the chambermaid a key.) Here is the key to + my room, bring the young lady through there by the quickest way.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Shall be done. (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ Fifteenth Scene. + The Uncle. The Servant. The Niece. The Chambermaid. + + The Uncle. + (presenting) +

Love each other, marry each other, and then get to know each other. You’re + betrothed.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Yes, yes, sir, out of caution. And if I were not myself? If I were a disguised lover + of the young lady? If I wished to ensnare your niece by such means?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. + (startled) +

Why would you think that?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Because of your guardianship I shall slap a lawsuit upon you, prosecute it myself, + win said lawsuit, thereby gain compensation and fees and you shall pay.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

None of that! I won’t listen; I won’t take anyone’s advice.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Oh yes, you will! My niece, that silly creature, isn’t being asked. The notary is + already on his way here with the contract.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Ha! so my fate is sealed. You don’t want me, Miss, fine! then I don’t want you + either! and no power on earth shall ever make me budge from this firm, final, + irrevocable, unshakable decision, not even by the thousand-millionth part of a + silk-thread. There, that’s my most rectified oath!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Rectify your duty instead, and take some advice!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I’ll jump out of my skin! The man is mad!

+ + + The Niece. +

And to a madman you want to marry me off?

+ + + The Uncle. +

Yes, so that he may become sensible, or fully insane.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Away with all these absurdities! A notary, in our situation, is one of them.

+ + + The Uncle. +

No, sir. The notary is absolutely essential. I know what I stipulated with your + honoured father concerning the dowry of my ward; that shall the notary affirm, and you + will have to marry my niece.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Sir, are you possessed?

+ + + The Servant. +

Not yet; but if you drive me crazy, I’ll call you out with pistols. You shoot – I’m + bullet-proof; I shoot – you drop!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Done! You’ll keep your word?

+ + + The Lover. +

On my honor. Now just add your name to the contract.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

I should really ask. Surely you are the lover, the favored one, of this + lady. The fellow who always reappears at the end of a comedy to lead home his dearest + sweetheart, after other people have helped him out of his troubles.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Leave me alone!

+ + + The Servant. +

No! I won’t! You want to marry me to this lady who doesn’t want me: so I’ll marry you + to your pale yellow anger, until it carries you to the grave.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Is that serious?

+ + + The Lover. +

Absolutely!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

This very hour.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Only after my word is kept.

+ + + The Lover. +

Of course.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Bon voyage! + (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Do you want to murder me?

+ + + The Servant. +

I’ll give you no peace, day or night. Exactly because you can’t stand brass music, + I’ll blow my horn under your window until the lark rises or the crows screech their + way out of town. Only when the sun’s up, or when the morning fog grows thicker and + thicker, shall you get even an hour of sleep.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Yes, the rascal has played his part splendidly, and satisfied all parties + completely.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Exactly! What becomes of the characters after a comedy ends, no famous author ever + worries about that! He’s finished his play, that’s what matters! Even tragedians often + don’t care beyond that. And my little prank today is enough material for a comedy at + best.

+ +
+
+ End of the Forepiece. +
+
+ Final Scene. + The Lover. The Niece. The Servant. The Chambermaid. + + The Niece. +

Am I bewitched? What is happening?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. + (to the Chamberm.) +

And us as well, no?

+ + + The Chamberm. +

It is not likely to be otherwise.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. + (removing the wig) +

Recognise in me the cause of this catastrophe.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

I saw him coming.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

The harshness of my guardian –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Dear girl, will I ever be able to rejoice in having him as mine?

+ +
+
+ The Old Man Outwitted, so Goes the World. + A Comedy in One Act. +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

I signaled him. He’ll be in any moment.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Quick! Is he here?

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

What letter?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (to herself) +

You’d think they hadn’t seen each other for seven years, and yet they talked and + embraced only yesterday.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (aside) +

Sweet sympathy of hearts, how you drive me out to my own sweetheart, who’s surely + already lurking nearby!

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Relieve your heart, put it into words.

+ + + The Niece. +

My uncle’s intentions –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Not so fast! I need my dowry if I’m to go with you. With a young rascal like you, it + won’t take long before someone asks: What shall we eat, what shall we drink, what + shall we wear? Then my six thousand thalers are good advisers; so let’s think this + through carefully – –

+ +
+
+ Sixth Scene. + + The Uncle. + (entering with a letter in hand) +

Yes, yes! She must. Old friend, with whom I’ve spent so many a happy hour, I won’t + break my word to you. – He writes that the boy is decent and has learned something + solid. Well, well! We’ll put him to the test, though that may hardly be necessary. My + old friend Michael Balthasar Lämmerzahn doesn’t lie. It would be an outrage to put him + to the test. (He rings. The chambermaid enters) My niece is to + come.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

As you command. (Exit)

+ + + The Uncle. +

The case shall be quickly settled. – Ha! the little bride! Well, Miss Niece?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

We’re talking about my trial, and I give the verdict; you’ll marry, + miss!

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Not my concern.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

What care I for his process? I proceeded against you, and you have lost. You shall + wed according to my will, that is my sentence!

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

But my heart already belongs – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

What process? Fear my proceedings if you don’t obey –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

That interests no one.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I do believe the little lady is threatening me.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Uncle, consider – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– a foolish child –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

Uncle, I can hardly believe you were ever my dear father’s own brother –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

– a twisted little head that needs straightening.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Off with you, I’m locking you up. Into the dark you go, since you’re a foolish girl + who could have oil for her lamp and yet refuses it. March! until you come to your + senses. (He leads her out.)

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– destined to perish in misery –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Call him at once, so we can decide what to do. The old man has gone. (The + servant exits) – Oh misery upon misery! Good thing we aren’t performing a + comedy. we’d have to drop the curtain from sheer confusion.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– to waste away in grief –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Out of my way! You’ll stay locked up until you obey. Sing from the opera if you like: + "Vous qui protégez les amours, venez, venez à mon secours!" If + people outside want to hear it – fine; it won’t move me. Only obedience will set you + free.

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

– to drain the cup of suffering –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

For instance, I straighten this crooked waistcoat of yours, bow, and say: At your + service.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What do you mean by that?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

At your service! Sir, the buckle on your hat is askew. – May I? (He adjusts + it, returns the hat, and bows silently.)

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Yes, unless you object.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

I'm not, at least not for you. Your visit is perfectly clear to me in its purpose; + and that purpose is a young lady and a handsome purse of money.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What have you against me?

+ +
+
+ + (Entering from the side) +

A gentleman’s desk and a young lady’s knitting bag, those are two things a clever + maid must know inside and out. Here’s proof of my expertise: I have the letter! – – + But where are my allies? Already gone? Then I must find them quickly so the farce can + begin.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What, sir? Do I not please you?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Listen to my plea. I have enough means to support a wife. – I – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Indeed I will, and namely – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

A reply only a man like you could give.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Exactly! so be it; I want it so, and to put an end to all this useless + back-and-forth, I locked up that obstinate little comedy-lover so that she – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

But suppose I tell you that even if I had not won my lawsuit, I would still possess a + considerable fortune. What then?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (to the Lover, secretly) +

What are you doing here?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

I’m leaving.

+ +
+
+ Thirteenth Scene. + The former. The Chambermaid. +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Well? Where is the newly arrived bridegroom of my niece?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Ah, ah, my dear Adonis, how do you like it so far?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Well then, sir; I am expecting a guest – my house and my rooms are becoming too + cramped for me, so – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Surprised? Delighted? Just wait, you’ll soon be overwhelmed the moment you begin to + grasp even a fraction of me: you’ll be possessed by a thousand demons of stiffness, + swooning, faintness, dissolution, and melting away in the ocean of reverence that + washes around the rocky cliffs of my colossal knowledge.

+ + + The Uncle. +

Good heavens! a rather steep sort of knowledge.

+ +
+
+ Fourteenth Scene. + The Uncle. The Chambermaid. The Servant. + (The latter in a ridiculous outfit, marking him as a dandy of the newest fashion. + As nothing ages faster than fashion, the author wisely gives no costume + description.) + + The Uncle. + (embracing him) +

Welcome, welcome!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Of course you know my name; you received yet another letter from my father not long + ago.

+ + + The Uncle. +

"Well yes, but – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Well then, for heaven’s sake! What is your name?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

All the devils, sir! why did you insist that I ask in that manner?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

I tolerate no contradiction. The world belongs to the young, a famous writer once + said; I believe it was Lavater, or Schikaneder, or – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Well yes! As though I could not be someone else, or rather, as though someone else + could not be me, in order to slip in here and, as a disguised lover, carry off your + niece right under your nose.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Absolutely not, absolutely not –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

It would be a pity if she didn’t consent at once. A man can be found any day; but not + a man like me. I trust your young lady niece won’t stand in her own light.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What? I must? Very well then! But it will cost you dearly. You love gardening, I know + it, the whole world knows it – fine! On my wedding day I’ll lay waste to your garden + until it looks like the wig of a village schoolmaster after the ABC boys have torn it + to shreds.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

The unfortunate fellow has lost his mind.

+ + + The Niece. +

And yet I am to become his wife? Oh, miserable me!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Silence, you cause of all this misery!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

To the devil with contract and notary!

+ + + The Uncle. +

Not to the devil; I am not the wretched devil incarnate! And the notary shall bring + the contract here to me, and I will sign it, and my niece will sign it, and you will + have to sign it.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Are you mad?

+ + + The Servant. +

No, sir; but you shall be. I’ll heat your head so thoroughly that not even a + cold-water bath will help you.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

I want no advice. I won’t listen to anything. Philosophers – and I am a philosopher, + you can tell that from my entire bearing – philosophers, I say, take no advice and + listen to no one but themselves.

+ + + The Uncle. +

But my niece must. Everything is settled between us; the notary is + already preparing the contract –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Who are you? I could very well ask. But my sharp mind has guessed it + already. You are this lady’s lover. – Hoho! You want to enjoy the triumph and watch + how this demoiselle submits to her uncle, how she gives me her hand and leads me on + like a fool, forcing me to make you my household friend. Missed your mark, sir! I will + not marry this young lady. I would sooner, on the spot, take that other + girl to wife, she seems to me still undecided enough.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Most assuredly! My niece is yours. – And you, you ridiculous traveller, philosopher, + ornithologist, or whatever else you pretend to be – leave my house at once! (to + the Lover.) You will be travelling soon as well, with your bride, I + presume?

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Heavens, at least let me explain – –

+ + + The Servant. +

You hear it, I don’t want to hear anything, and I won’t stop tormenting you until + you’re past hearing and seeing –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Oh yes, sir! I know your favorite hobbies, among others your shell and butterfly + collection. Good! On my wedding day I’ll pound your shells into powder and serve them + to you in Madeira wine; your butterflies I’ll release so the street boys can chase + them.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Well then, within an hour we’ll settle the matter in writing. Take the girl – God + bless you both! The stagecoach leaves today. For your information, Mr. Philosopher and + rambling improviser. – When are bride and bridegroom travelling?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What right have you to ask? Why are you meddling with the most intimate family + matters? This is my bride – and this is the bride’s uncle, my second father, so to + speak, who has destined me for life’s greatest happiness, and to whom I shall return + the favour by making his earthly life a hell, because he – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

For God’s sake, the man is raving! I know him – (secretly to the + Uncle) He was locked up in Bückeburg two years ago already on account of – + (points to forehead)

+ + + The Uncle. +

What are you saying!

+ + + The Lover. +

Oh, certainly! Let him go on. Rather hear me. I shall go even further, I shall take + your niece without a dowry. Are you content now? Do you consent?

+ + + The Uncle. +

You’ll give me that in writing?

+ + + The Lover. +

This very day.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. + (to the Chamberm.) +

And the two of us as well, I hope?

+ + + The Chamberm. + (affirming.) + +
+
+ + The Servant. + (revealing himself) +

Yes, that was one of my little pranks.

+ +
+
+ (The curtain falls.) +
+
+ + The Lover. +

No matter, by then we’ll be far away.

+ + + The Niece. +

To Switzerland!

+ + + The Lover. +

To the land of freedom.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Wollen Sie mich rasend machen?

+ + + The Servant. +

Ja, mein Herr, das will ich. Ich will in Ihrem Hause das Unterste zu oberst kehren. + Ich will Sie ängstigen, quälen, verfolgen, todt ärgern –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Undoubtedly. Only the title is missing.

+ + + The Niece. +

"A trifle! the play is called: Love’s Joy and Love’s Pain.

+ + + The Servant. +

Or: Love’s Pain and Love’s Joy.

+ + + The Lover. +

Or: He Who Has the Luck Wins the Bride.

+ + + The Servant. +

Or: He Who Wins the Bride Has the Luck.

+ + + The Chamberm. +

Not always! so I propose: The Letter from Zimpelshausen, or: The + Bridegroom on the Road.

+ + + The Servant. +

Or: The Bridegroom Without a Bride – but enough with the "ors". The + honored audience may choose for itself. Anyone can make titles; it’s the play, + especially the comedy, that usually causes trouble. Just look at the critical + journals, articles: Fine Arts, etc. ibid.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Wonder no more, my love. Thanks to that rascal’s trick, all obstacles to our union + have fallen away.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Sir, have I earned my reward? What if the real young Mr. von ** actually shows + up?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Delightful! Then I’ve achieved the true goal of my scheme, namely this adorable + little handful. Let the bridegroom, if he indeed should come, find his bird flown. – + What is that to us? For us, the whole matter ends as a comedy?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Patience, he isn’t far now.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

What then?

+ + + The Niece. +

What lies closest to both our hearts.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (to herself) +

Away! Out to my waiting Seladon, so I can share love’s manna with him as well. + (Exit.)

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Nonsense! Your sweetheart, Mr. **, is not my man; he’s one-sided, and + has few means, both in head and purse –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

What? You take me for – –

+ +
+
+ + The Niece. +

My Guardian, I am no wench, but a – –

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

No delays, no postponements, no time to think it over. I have no patience for such + newly-poetic frippery. In my day, children and subordinates were taught to obey. + Nowadays they think themselves super-clever and mock old age.

+ +
+
+ + The Uncle. +

Off with you! You’ll be locked up. If your lover were nothing but a skeleton, I’d do + it just like in the ballad, tie the two of you together and throw you into the + dungeon.

+ +
+
+ Eighth Scene. + + The Chamberm. + (peeking through the central door, then entering.) + +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Count on it, he’s waiting.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Why wouldn’t he? He’s standing outside as if nailed to the spot.

+ +
+
+ Eighth Scene. + + The Chamberm. + (looks through the door first, then enters.) + +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Patience! Only cunning can save us.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Just as I thought. And if you pull it off, you won’t go unrewarded.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Then he truly has her – –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

That’s exactly how a true lover would say it.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Tyrannical uncle!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

If you help, don’t worry about your reward.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

So she’s imprisoned?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Cunning? – Pomade to me!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Well, then we can surely use some other means – –

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Detestable pander!

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Heavens no, that would ruin our whole plan. – Come now, out with it, you rascal!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

What? Only let not my reputation suffer thereby; and nothing from some worn-out old + comedy trick –

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

How do we go about chasing off that squire of a bridegroom?

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

The old man will drive me insane with his contracted bridegroom.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

No matter. I divine his name already. Thaddäus Bocklümmel or Bastian Feldkümmel or + Theophilus Lämmerzahn or Plumper plain and simple – yes, so must he be + called. – "There must be lightning!" says Johanna von Montfaucon, who is known to + employ only classical expressions.

+ +
+
+ + + The Chamberm. +

Can it be?

+ + + The Lover. +

Heavens!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + + The Lover. +

What is the meaning of this?

+ + + The Chamberm. +

I perceive!

+ + (simultaneously) + +
+
+ + The Chamberm. +

Yes, who knows that!

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

The extraordinary has occurred; yet in the distress itself lies deliverance. – You, + who truly know nothing, know this: that the contracted bridegroom is already here.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

'Tis I! Am one of the lost souls, who shall go for wool and return home shorn. "Such + is the lot of beauty on earth!" – What is his name again, the fair contracted one?

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (bows and exits.) + +
+
+ + The Lover. + (to the Chamberm.) +

Here, something on account of my gratitude. (He gives her money.)

+ +
+
+ Tenth Scene. + The Lover. The Servant. +
+
+ + The Lover. + (to the Chamberm.) +

Here, here! Take this first as encouragement in your noble occupation.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

It is impossible to tell you that. I could have confided it to the chambermaid. I + dare not confide it to you; that would be to make you of age in a matter wherein you + must for the present remain a minor.

+ +
+
+ + The Lover. +

Well? What action though – –

+ +
+
+ Eleventh Scene. + The Chambermaid. +
+
+ + The Lover. +

You will be compelled to set your niece at liberty again.

+ +
+
+ + The Chamberm. + (secretly to the Lover) +

What the deuce are you doing here?

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Calmly, sir; for only I have to speak here! Who am I? A rhetorician and historian, a + Platonist and anatomist and mnemonist, a magister and polyhistor, a connoisseur and a + patron, a critic and politician, a belletrist and a purist and an antagonist. – I have + breakfasted on the Brocken and dined at Vesuvius, have eaten grapes in Saint Helena + and stockfish at the Shetlands, have drunk porter in London and Chateau-neuf in Paris, + have seen the ballet in Naples and in Pest the seven maidens in uniform, have made a + journey through the panoramas of the Brothers Suhr and have travelled on the + trekschuit from Amsterdam to Maastricht; therefore – –

+ + + The Uncle. +

Sir, I should like to show you the door at once.

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

How wise you pretend to be and how little you are so! Sir, I am not disinclined to + take you for a moral philosopher who delivers a panegyric to the fashionable world. + Yet you must know my name! Why do you pretend, then, as if you knew it not? Why do you + deny your actual self, your peculiar nature, your true essence, your ideal or real + self, your inner man?

+ +
+
+ Fifteenth Scene. + The Uncle. The Servant. The Niece. The Chambermaid. + + The Uncle. + (presenting) +

The young Mr. von ** – My niece –

+ +
+
+ + The Servant. +

Well, I orientate, secure, palisade, entrench, provision myself gladly on all sides, + toward all sides, against all sides – –

+ +
+
+ End of the Comedy. +
+
+ + + diff --git a/src/lib/components/HamburgerMenu.svelte b/src/lib/components/HamburgerMenu.svelte new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3a8bbcc --- /dev/null +++ b/src/lib/components/HamburgerMenu.svelte @@ -0,0 +1,249 @@ + + + + + + + + + diff --git a/src/lib/components/Header.svelte b/src/lib/components/Header.svelte new file mode 100644 index 0000000..942f933 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/lib/components/Header.svelte @@ -0,0 +1,17 @@ + + +
+
+ {#if children} + {@render children()} + {/if} +
+
diff --git a/src/lib/components/Segment.svelte b/src/lib/components/Segment.svelte index 17e3592..447bd8d 100644 --- a/src/lib/components/Segment.svelte +++ b/src/lib/components/Segment.svelte @@ -1,5 +1,6 @@ {#await segmentPromise} diff --git a/src/lib/components/ShareButton.svelte b/src/lib/components/ShareButton.svelte index 2bc7ac3..1bd464c 100644 --- a/src/lib/components/ShareButton.svelte +++ b/src/lib/components/ShareButton.svelte @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ - Neunhundert neun und neunzig und noch etliche Almanachs-Lustspiele durch den Würfel + {title}
diff --git a/src/routes/+page.svelte b/src/routes/+page.svelte index 9b0e051..8385b7f 100644 --- a/src/routes/+page.svelte +++ b/src/routes/+page.svelte @@ -1,20 +1,23 @@ - - -
-
+ +
+ { + playMode = mode as PlayMode + isRolling = true + }} + /> + - - - - - - - {#if $locale === "de"} -
-

Ein Dramenautomat von 1829 digital aufbereitet

-

- Der 1829 von Georg Nikolaus Bärmann veröffentlichte Würfelalmanach - ist ein spielerisches System zur Erzeugung von Einaktern per Würfelwurf. Diese kurzen Dramen - waren auf der Bühne und im privaten Kreis beliebt, und Bärmanns Buch ermöglichte die Erstellung - von 4×10155 Variationen aus 1.200 Textfragmenten. Diese Webanwendung bringt den - Almanach in digitaler Form zurück und lädt dazu ein, eine frühe Form algorithmischen Erzählens - interaktiv zu erkunden. -

-
- {:else} -
-

A literary automaton from 1829, reborn online

-

- The Würfelalmanach, published by Georg Nikolaus Bärmann in 1829, is a playful system for generating one-act - plays by rolling dice. These short dramas were popular on stage and in private gatherings, - and Bärmann's book offered a way to create 4×10155 possible variations from 1,200 - text fragments. This web app recreates the experience, letting you explore an early example - of algorithmic storytelling in an interactive way. -

-
- {/if} + {$locale + + + {#if $locale === "de"} +
+

Ein Dramenautomat von 1829 digital aufbereitet

+

+ Der 1829 von Georg Nikolaus Bärmann veröffentlichte Würfelalmanach + ist ein spielerisches System zur Erzeugung von Einaktern per Würfelwurf. Diese kurzen Dramen + waren auf der Bühne und im privaten Kreis beliebt, und Bärmanns Buch ermöglichte die Erstellung + von 4×10155 Variationen aus 1.200 Textfragmenten. Diese Webanwendung bringt den Almanach + in digitaler Form zurück und lädt dazu ein, eine frühe Form algorithmischen Erzählens interaktiv + zu erkunden. +

+
+ {:else} +
+

A literary automaton from 1829, reborn online

+

+ The Würfelalmanach, published by Georg Nikolaus Bärmann in 1829, is a playful system for generating one-act + plays by rolling dice. These short dramas were popular on stage and in private gatherings, + and Bärmann's book offered a way to create 4×10155 possible variations from 1,200 + text fragments. This web app recreates the experience, letting you explore an early example of + algorithmic storytelling in an interactive way. +

+
+ {/if} - - -
-
+ + +
@@ -442,8 +258,15 @@ >

- Neunhundert neun und neunzig
und noch etliche
Almanachs-Lustspiele -
durch den Würfel + {#if $sourceLocale === "de"} + Neunhundert neun und neunzig
und noch etliche
+ Almanachs-Lustspiele +
durch den Würfel + {:else} + Rolling the Dice for
+ 999 and Many More
+ Almanac Comedies + {/if}

@@ -452,7 +275,7 @@
-
+
{#each Array.from(new Array(200), (_x, i) => i + 1) as index}

{index}

@@ -514,34 +337,5 @@ animation: pulse 2s infinite; } - /* Hamburger menu styles */ - .hamburger-icon { - position: relative; - width: 42px; - height: 33px; - padding-inline: 0.5em; - } - - .hamburger-line { - display: block; - position: absolute; - width: 100%; - height: 4px; - background-color: var(--color-amber-50); - border-radius: 1px; - transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; - } - - .hamburger-line:nth-child(1) { - top: 0; - } - - .hamburger-line:nth-child(2) { - top: 50%; - transform: translateY(-50%); - } - - .hamburger-line:nth-child(3) { - bottom: 0; - } + /* Hamburger menu styles moved to HamburgerMenu.svelte */ diff --git a/src/routes/about/+page.svelte b/src/routes/about/+page.svelte new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c31b8c7 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/routes/about/+page.svelte @@ -0,0 +1,250 @@ + + +
+ + + {$locale + + +
+ {#if $locale !== "de"} +
+

Credits

+

The “999” Drama Automaton app was developed by:

+
    +
  • Viktor J. Illmer (ORCID)
    • +
  • Mark Schwindt (ORCID)
    • +
  • Nele Heindorf (ORCID)
    • +
  • Jonas Rohe (ORCID)
    • +
  • Dîlan Canan Çakir (ORCID)
    • +
  • Roya Zendebudie (ORCID)
    • +
  • Frank Fischer (ORCID)
    • +
+ +

How to Cite

+
    +
  • + Viktor J. Illmer, Frank Fischer, Mark Schwindt, Jonas Rohe: + »999 und noch etliche [mehr]«. Georg Nikolaus Bärmanns »Würfel-Almanach« von 1829 als + Web-App. + In: DHd2025: »Under Construction«. 3–7 March 2025. Book of Abstracts. Bielefeld University. + (doi:10.5281/zenodo.14943242) + {ger} +
    • +
  • + Viktor J. Illmer, Dîlan Canan Çakir, Frank Fischer, Mark Schwindt, Jonas Rohe: + More Plays than Atoms in the Universe: The Digitization of a 19th-Century Generator + for One-Act Comedies. + In: IEEE Transactions on Games. 2025. (doi:10.1109/TG.2025.3608847) {eng} +
    • +
  • + Viktor J. Illmer, Nele Heindorf, Roya Zendebudie, Mark Schwindt, Frank Fischer: + Generating TEI Documents Through a Game of Dice. In: TEI2025: »New + Territories«. 16–19 September 2025. Kraków. Book of Abstracts, pp. 109–110. (doi:10.5281/zenodo.17312233) {eng} +
    • +
+ +

How to Use

+
    +
  1. + Begin by taking a look at the + original 1829 book + and the associated + dice table + to understand what the app sets out to do. +
    2. +
  2. + In the app, you can click on the large dice at the top. This rolls one of six variants + for each of the 200 different scenes. This is the simplest way to generate one of the 6200 possible variants of the play. +
    3. +
  3. + The main path highlighted in the centre of the screen represents the randomly generated + trajectory through the play. Each of the 200 scenes can be shifted left and right to + view all variants available for that scene. +
    4. +
  4. + Any combination of scenes that constitutes a complete play can be shared via a unique + link (Share button at the bottom right). +
    5. +
  5. + Any combination of scenes can be saved in the + TEI format (Download + button at the bottom right). +
    6. +
  6. + The English translation was produced with the assistance of ChatGPT (GPT-4o) and + subsequently checked manually. The translation does not aim to be perfect; several + historical allusions and wordplays are difficult to render. The main goal was to enable + non-German-speaking users to make meaningful use of the app. +
    7. +
+ +

Acknowledgement

+

+ Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under + Germany’s Excellence Strategy in the context of the Cluster of Excellence Temporal + Communities: Doing Literature in a Global Perspective – EXC 2020 – Project ID 390608380. +

+
+ {:else} +
+

Credits

+

Die App “999” (Dramenautomat) wurde entwickelt von:

+
    +
  • Viktor J. Illmer (ORCID)
    • +
  • Mark Schwindt (ORCID)
    • +
  • Nele Heindorf (ORCID)
    • +
  • Jonas Rohe (ORCID)
    • +
  • Dîlan Canan Çakir (ORCID)
    • +
  • Roya Zendebudie (ORCID)
    • +
  • Frank Fischer (ORCID)
    • +
+ +

Zitationsempfehlungen

+
    +
  • + Viktor J. Illmer, Frank Fischer, Mark Schwindt, Jonas Rohe: + »999 und noch etliche [mehr]«. Georg Nikolaus Bärmanns »Würfel-Almanach« von 1829 als + Web-App. + In: DHd2025: »Under Construction«. 3.–7. März 2025. Book of Abstracts. Universität Bielefeld. + (doi:10.5281/zenodo.14943242) + {ger} +
    • +
  • + Viktor J. Illmer, Dîlan Canan Çakir, Frank Fischer, Mark Schwindt, Jonas Rohe: + More Plays than Atoms in the Universe: The Digitization of a 19th-Century Generator + for One-Act Comedies. + In: IEEE Transactions on Games. 2025. (doi:10.1109/TG.2025.3608847) {eng} +
    • +
  • + Viktor J. Illmer, Nele Heindorf, Roya Zendebudie, Mark Schwindt, Frank Fischer: + Generating TEI Documents Through a Game of Dice. In: TEI2025: »New + Territories«. 16.–19. September 2025. Krakau. Book of Abstracts, S. 109–110. (doi:10.5281/zenodo.17312233) {eng} +
    • +
+ +

Kurzanleitung

+
    +
  1. + Wirf zunächst einen Blick auf das + Originalbuch von 1829 + sowie die zugehörige + Wurftabelle + um zu erfahren, worum es in der App geht. +
    2. +
  2. + In der App kannst du auf den großen Würfel ganz oben klicken; dadurch wird für jede der + 200 Szenen eine von sechs Varianten ausgewürfelt. Das ist der einfachste Weg, um eine + der 6200 möglichen Fassungen des Dramas zu erzeugen. +
    3. +
  3. + Der hervorgehobene Hauptstrang in der Mitte zeigt den zufällig erzeugten Pfad durch das + Drama. Jede der 200 Szenen kann nach links und rechts verschoben werden, um alle + Varianten dieser Szene einzusehen. +
    4. +
  4. + Jede Kombination von Szenen kann durch einen eindeutigen Link geteilt werden + (Share-Button rechts unten). +
    5. +
  5. + Jede Szenenkombination kann zudem im + TEI-Format gespeichert + werden. (Download-Button rechts unten) +
    6. +
  6. + Die englische Übersetzung aller Textsegmente wurde mit Unterstützung von ChatGPT + (GPT-4o) angefertigt und danach von uns überprüft. Sie erhebt keinen Anspruch darauf + perfekt zu sein; einige historische Anspielungen und Wortspiele lassen sich nur schwer + übertragen. Ziel war es vor allem, nicht-deutschsprachigen Nutzer*innen eine sinnvolle + Verwendung der App zu ermöglichen. +
    7. +
+ +

Förderhinweis

+

+ Gefördert durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) im Rahmen der Exzellenzstrategie + des Bundes und der Länder innerhalb des Exzellenzclusters Temporal Communities: Doing + Literature in a Global Perspective – EXC 2020 – Projekt-ID 390608380. +

+
+ {/if} +
+
+ + diff --git a/static/play-template.xml b/static/play-template.xml new file mode 100644 index 0000000..50ec896 --- /dev/null +++ b/static/play-template.xml @@ -0,0 +1,114 @@ + + + + + + + + + <!-- generated title --> + + + <!-- generated subtitle --> + + + Simplicius + + Georg + Nikolaus + Bärmann + + Q1505487 + 107968169 + + + Du + + + Edited by + Frank Fischer + Viktor J. Illmer + Nele Heindorf + + + + RA5 of EXC2020 »Temporal Communities« at Freie Universität Berlin + https://www.temporal-communities.de/research/digital-communities/ + + + CC0 1.0 + Licence + + + + + + + + »999 und noch etliche [mehr]«: Web app for Georg Nikolaus Bärmann’s Würfelalmanach from 1829 + + + + + +

In the public domain.

+ + Simplicius (= Georg Nikolaus Bärmann): + Neunhundert neun und neunzig und noch etliche Almanachs-Lustspiele durch den + Würfel. Das ist: Almanach Dramatischer Spiele für die Jahre 1829 bis 1961. Ein Noth- + und Hülfs-Büchlein für alle stehenden, gehenden und verwehenden Bühnen, so wie für + alle Liebhabertheater und Theaterliebhaber Deutschlands. + Zwickau: Gebrüder Schumann + 1829. + + + + + + + + + + + + file generated + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + „– Dans l’art dangereux de rimer et d’écrire, + Il n’est point de degrés du médiocre au pire.“ + + Boileau. + + + + + + +
+ +
+ + + + + +