Chapter II: The Technic of the One-Act Play (10)

COTTON. [_To_ ADONIJAH.] I am deeply grieved to report that Mistress Betty is not to be found.

[ADONIJAH. _steals a sly look of triumph at_ CHARLES.

CHARLES. [_In mock solemnity._] I prithee present my deep regrets to Mistress Betty. I will call again.

COTTON. God speed thee! [_And as_ CHARLES _takes his leave_ COTTON _places his hand affectionately upon_ ADONIJAH'S _shoulder, saying reassuringly_.] Come again, my son; Betty may not be afar off. I fain would have her soon persuaded of thy worth. Improve thy time.

ADONIJAH. [_Beaming._] Good morrow, sir; I will.

[_As the door closes behind them_ COTTON _slowly walks toward the
fire, where he stands in complete revery. Still absorbed in thought
he walks slowly out the door at the right._ BETTY _peeks cautiously
out, but hearing footsteps quickly withdraws_. COTTON _re-enters
with hat on. He is talking to himself, reflectively._

COTTON. Where can she be? Mayhap at Neighbor Ainslee's.

[_He goes hurriedly out through the hall door. The banging of the
outside door is heard. The clock door once more slowly opens and_
BETTY _peers forth, listening. The sound of a door opening causes
her to draw back. As the noise is further emphasized by approaching
footsteps, she pulls the clock door quickly to._ CHARLES _enters.
He looks inquiringly about, tosses his hat on the table, and goes
for the clock. He opens it with a gay laugh._ BETTY _steps forth
out of the clock, very much assisted by_ CHARLES.

CHARLES. Blessed relief! Thou art in very truth, then, flesh and blood?

BETTY. And what else should I be, forsooth?

CHARLES. [_Laughing._] I marked thee for a mummy there entombed.

BETTY. [_Disengaging her hand._] What? Darest thou?

CHARLES. A lively mummy now thou art come to, whilst I [_sighs_]--I waited through the ages!

BETTY. [_Laughingly._] A veritable monument of patient grief.

CHARLES. And Adonijah----

BETTY. Yea, verily, old Father Time but come to life. [_Mimics._] Thy waiting may avail thee naught.

CHARLES. In truth, it may avail me naught; thy father may be back at any time, while I have much to say, sweet Betty----

BETTY. [_Interrupting._] Nay, sweet Betty call me not.

CHARLES. Dear Betty, then, the dearest----

BETTY. [_Quickly._] Yea, call me dearest mummy, Hottentot, or what you will, just so it be not _sweet_, like Adonijah. It sickens me beyond expressing.

CHARLES. Then, _sweet_ Betty thou art _not_, say rather sour Betty, cross Betty, mean Betty, bad Betty, mad Betty, sad Betty.

BETTY. [_Suddenly dimpling._] Nay, glad Betty!

CHARLES. Art then so glad? Wilt tell me why? In sooth, I know not whither to be glad, or sad, or mad. Sometimes I am but one, sometimes I am all three.

BETTY. Wilt tell me why?

CHARLES. [_Stepping closer and imprisoning her left hand._] Thou wilt not now escape it, for I will tell thee why, and mayhap this will aid me. [_Slips ring, which he has had concealed in his pocket, on her finger._] Hath this no meaning for thee?

BETTY. [_Her eyes sparkling with mischief._] Aye, 'tis a diabolical circle for the devil to daunce in!

CHARLES. [_In astonishment._] A what?

BETTY. [_Slowly._] A diabolical circle for the devil to daunce in--so father saith. Likewise Adonijah.

CHARLES. [_Weakly endeavoring to comprehend._] A diabolical circle--but what!--say it again, Betty.

BETTY. [_Repeats slowly, emphasizing it with pointed finger._] A diabolical circle for the devil to daunce in.

CHARLES. [_Throws back his head and laughs._] May I be the devil!

BETTY. [_Shaking her finger at him._] Then daunce!

[_They take position, as though for a minuet. The knocker sounds._
BETTY _runs to the window_.

BETTY. Aye, there's ADONIJAH at the knocker. Into the clock--hie thee--quick, quick!

CHARLES. [_Reproachfully._] And would'st thou incarcerate me through the ages? [_Turns to the clock._] O timely sarcophagus!

[CHARLES _is smuggled into the clock, and_ BETTY _has barely enough
time to make a dash for the hat and conceal it behind her before
the door opens and in stalks_ ADONIJAH. _He looks about
suspiciously._ BETTY _faces him with the hat held behind her. He
removes his hat and tippet and lays them on the table._

ADONIJAH. Methought I heard a sound of many feet.

BETTY. [_Looking down._] Two feet have I; no more, no less.

ADONIJAH. [_Dryly._] Aye, two be quite sufficient.

BETTY. An thou sayest the word, they yet can beat as loud a retreat as an whole regiment.

ADONIJAH. Thou dost my meaning misconstrue.

BETTY. Construe it then, I prithee.

ADONIJAH. I came not here to vex----

BETTY. Then get thee hence. [_He steps forward._ BETTY _steps back_.] But not behind me, Satan.

ADONIJAH. [_Coming closer._] And yet thou driv'st me to it.

BETTY. [_Backing off._] Indeed, thou hast a nature born to _drive_ and not be driven.

ADONIJAH. [_Highly complimented._] So be it, yet I scarce had hoped that thou would'st notice. [_Advancing._] Born to drive, thou sayest, not be driven.

BETTY. [_Retreating._] Thou hast said it, born to _drive_. But what to drive I have not said. That knowledge hath my father yet concealed.

ADONIJAH. [_Eagerly._] Thy father, then, hath told thee----

BETTY. [_Who is retreating steadily across the room._] Thou wert born to _drive_!

[_Strikes settee and goes down on the hat._ ADONIJAH _seats himself
beside_ BETTY. BETTY _is of necessity forced to remain--on the
hat_. ADONIJAH _slides arm along the back of the settee. The clock
door strikes erratically. He jerks his arm back and gazes in the
direction of the clock. The clock hands wigwag._ ADONIJAH _stares
abstractedly and passes his hand over his forehead in a dazed
manner_.

BETTY. [_Solicitously._] What aileth thee?

ADONIJAH. [_Still staring._] The time!

BETTY. [_Stifles a yawn._] It doth grow late.

ADONIJAH. But not consistently; it changeth.

BETTY. 'Twas ever so with time.

ADONIJAH. [_Reminiscently._] Of a certainty they moved.

BETTY. Yea, verily, 'tis not uncommon.

ADONIJAH. But backwards!

BETTY. [_Joyfully._] Why, then, my prayers are answered. How often I have prayed them thus to move! Yet hath it never come to pass.

ADONIJAH. Nay, had'st thou seen----

BETTY. Prithee calm thyself. Thou'rt ill.

ADONIJAH. [_Steals his arm along the back of the settee and moves over closer._] Sweet Betty! [BETTY _looks away with a wry face_.] Thy indifference in no wise blinds me to thy conception of my true value. [BETTY _sits up, round-eyed_.] There was a time when I despaired--[_The clock again strikes wildly. The hands drop and rise as before._ ADONIJAH _excitedly points at the clock_.] Again! Did'st mark it? Something doth ail the clock!

BETTY. Yea, truly thou art ill. The clock behaveth much more to the point than thou.

ADONIJAH. [_Tearing his gaze from the clock._] As I was on the point of saying--[_glances at the clock_] thy father hath given--[_another glance_] me to understand--[_with eye on the clock he hitches up closer_] that thou art not averse to mine affections----

[_As he attempts to put his arm around_ BETTY _the clock strikes a
tattoo and startles him excitedly to his feet, as the hands travel
all the way round_.

ADONIJAH. [_Pointing._] Now look! Mark the time!

[COTTON _enters_.

COTTON. Tarry yet awhile, my son, the time doth not prevent thee.

ADONIJAH. Tarry? Time doth not prevent? Little knowest thou! [_Gazes abstractedly about. Sights the ring on_ BETTY'S _finger, who in excitement has forgotten to keep her hands behind her back_.] Aye, there it is, the diabolical circle. It is a charm. It harms her not, while all about me is askew. Whence came she here? [_Points at_ BETTY.] She neither came nor went, and yet she was not there and now she is. A manly form did enter. Yet hath vanished into thin air. Yea, verily, it was none other than the devil himself in one of his divers forms, of which he hath aplenty. The very clock indulgeth in unseemly pranks. A strange influence hangs over me. I cannot now abide. I must depart from hence. My conscience bids me go.

COTTON. [_Striving to detain him._] Hold! Thou'rt mad!

BETTY. Nay, father, he is ill.

ADONIJAH. [_Wildly._] Aye, if I be mad, thy daughter be to blame. The spell did come upon me. I have seen strange things.

COTTON. What meanest thou?

ADONIJAH. [_Pointing at_ BETTY, _who regards him wonderingly_.] Thy daughter is a witch!

BETTY. [_Runs to_ COTTON.] Oh, father!

COTTON. [_Consoles_ BETTY; _thunders at_ ADONIJAH.] What? Darest thou to being forth such an accusation?

ADONIJAH. Aye, while I yet have strength to order mine own will. We shall see what we shall see when the fires leap round the stake. All the diabolical circles the devil may invent or his helpmeets acquire will be of small avail when the leaping tongues of flame curl round you, false servant of the devil. I can delay no longer. I will repair to the council at once, and report what I have seen.

[BETTY _faints away_. COTTON _is at once all paternal solicitude_.
ADONIJAH _gazes in stupefaction. All unobserved_ CHARLES _slips out
of the clock. Finally_ ADONIJAH, _as_ BETTY _shows signs of
reviving, turns himself away, only to find himself face to face
with_ CHARLES. ADONIJAH _stops dead in his tracks, absolutely
nonplussed_.

CHARLES. Thou goest to the council? Thou lackest evidence. Behold the devil an' thou wilt.

[ADONIJAH'S _jaw drops. He stares unbelievingly._ COTTON _looks up
in surprise as_ CHARLES _continues_.

CHARLES. An' thou goest to the council with such a message, the devil will dog thy very footsteps. And match word of thine with word of truth in such a light that thine own words shall imprison thee in the stocks over Sunday.

[ADONIJAH _recovers from his temporary abstraction, and seizing his
hat and tippet, tears out the door as if a whole legion of imps
were in full pursuit_. CHARLES _contemptuously turns on his heel
and goes over to_ BETTY, _who is now clinging to her father's arm_.

BETTY. [_Faintly._] They will not burn me for a witch?

CHARLES. [_Savagely._] Aye, let them try it an they will.

COTTON. [_Hotly._] Aye--let them! [_Then starting suddenly with a new thought._] But how cam'st thou here? Yea, verily, it seemeth to me thou did'st materialize out of thin air.

[_Surveys_ CHARLES _with piercing scrutiny_.

CHARLES. Nay, see through me an thou can'st. Thou wilt find me a most material shadow, the like of which no eye hath ever pierced. 'Twas not out of the air, but out of yonder clock that I materialized.

BETTY. Yea, father, I put him there.

COTTON. [_Going to the clock and opening it._] Of a truth, the evidence, all told, is here. Thou wert of a certainty in the clock. [_Takes out the detached pendulum. Steps back and surveys the timepiece, whose hands clearly indicate a time long passed or not yet come._] And as far as pendulums are concerned [_looking ruefully at the one in his hand_], thou certainly wert no improve----

CHARLES. Aye, that I'll warrant. And may I never more be called to fulfil such position; the requirements be far too exacting for one of my build and constitution.

COTTON. But what extremity hath induced thee to take up thine abode in such a place?

[_Lays the pendulum aside and gives_ CHARLES _his entire
attention_.

CHARLES. Why, that came all in the course of events as I take it. When I returned a short time ago, hard upon mine heels came Adonijah; and, being loath either to leave the field or share it, I hid within the clock. Once there, the temptation to help time in covering its course grew strong upon me in the hope that Adonijah, misled by the lateness of the hour, would soon depart. Only I looked not for such a departure. Judge me not too harshly, sire, for I love thy daughter, and if thou wilt give thy consent to our marriage I will do all that becometh a man to deserve such treasure.

COTTON. I like not thy frivolous manner of wearing hair that is not thine own; it becomes thee not. And I strongly mistrust thine attitude toward the more serious things of life.

CHARLES. If my wig standeth between me and my heart's desire, why, I'll have no wig at all. [_He pulls the wig off and tosses it aside._ BETTY, _with a little cry, picks it up and smooths its disarranged curls_.] And as for mine outlook on life, I promise thee that hath but matched the outer trappings, and can be doffed as quickly. I am as serious beneath all outward levity as any sober-minded judge, and can act accordingly.

COTTON. See to it that thou suit the action to those words. My heart is strangely moved toward thee, yet I would ponder the matter more deeply. [_Turns to_ BETTY, _who has been absent-mindedly twirling the curls on the wig_.] And where is thy voice, my daughter? Thou art strangely silent--[_as an afterthought_] for the once. But it is of small wonder, since thou hast had enough excitement for one evening. Methinks that scoundrel, Adonijah, needeth following up. Do thou remain with Betty, Charles, and I will hasten after him.

CHARLES. Nay, thou need'st not trouble thyself regarding Adonijah. He hath much too wholesome a regard for the ducking-stool to cause further mischief.

COTTON. Nevertheless, I will away to the council and make sure. [_He plants his hat on his head and departs._

CHARLES. [_Turning to_ BETTY, _who has dropped the wig on the settee, and who is now gazing demurely at the floor_.] And now to finish up where we left off. The devil hath led us a merrier dance than we suspected. Thou hast not truly given answer to the question I have asked of thee.

BETTY. What more of an answer would'st thou yet require?

CHARLES. Why, I have yet had none at all.

BETTY. Must tell thee further?

CHARLES. [_Gravely._] Thou must.

BETTY. [_Mischievously._] Then--put the question once again.

CHARLES. Thou knowest the question, an thou wilt.

BETTY. An' thou knowest the answer.

[CHARLES _takes her in his arms_.

BETTY. [_Holding up her hand so that the ring sparkles._] Look, Charles--the diabolical circle!

CURTAIN

THE FAR-AWAY PRINCESS

BY

HERMANN SUDERMANN

_The Far-Away Princess_ is reprinted by special arrangement with Charles Scribner's Sons, the publishers of _Roses_, from which this play is taken. For permission to perform address the publishers.

HERMANN SUDERMANN

Hermann Sudermann, one of the foremost of the Continental European dramatists, was born at Matziken, in East Prussia, Germany, September 30, 1857. He attended school at Elbing and Tilsit, and then at fourteen became a druggist's apprentice. He received his university training at Königsberg and Berlin. Soon he devoted his energies to literary work.

His greatest literary work is in the field of the drama, in which he became successful almost instantly. His strength is not in poetic beauty and in deep insight into human character, as in the instance of a number of other German dramatists. He is essentially a man of the theatre, a dramatist, and a technician by instinct. He is a dramatic craftsman of the first order.

His chief one-act plays are in two volumes: _Morituri_, which contains _Teja_, _Fritchen_, and _The Eternal Masculine_; and _Roses_, which contains _Streaks of Light_, _Margot_, _The Last Visit_, and _The Far-Away Princess_.

_The Far-Away Princess_ is one of the most subtle and most delicate of Sudermann's plays. Its technic is exemplary.

CHARACTERS

THE PRINCESS VON GELDERN
BARONESS VON BROOK, _her maid of honor_
FRAU VON HALLDORF
LIDDY } _her daughters_
MILLY }
FRITZ STRÜBEL, _a student_
FRAU LINDEMANN
ROSA, _a waitress_
A LACKEY

THE FAR-AWAY PRINCESS[L]

THE PRESENT DAY: _The scene is laid at an inn situated above a
watering-place in central Germany._

_The veranda of an inn. The right side of the stage and half of the
background represent a framework of glass enclosing the veranda.
The left side and the other half of the background represent the
stone walls of the house. To the left, in the foreground, a door;
another door in the background, at the left. On the left, back, a
buffet and serving-table. Neat little tables and small iron chairs
for visitors are placed about the veranda. On the right, in the
centre, a large telescope, standing on a tripod, is directed
through an open window._ ROSA, _dressed in the costume of the
country, is arranging flowers on the small tables_. FRAU LINDEMANN,
_a handsome, stoutish woman in the thirties, hurries in excitedly
from the left_.

FRAU LINDEMANN. There! Now she can come--curtains, bedding--everything fresh and clean as new! No, this honor, this unexpected honor--! Barons and counts have been here often enough. Even the Russian princes sometimes come up from the Springs. I don't bother my head about them--they're just like--that!--But a princess--a real princess!

ROSA. Perhaps it isn't a real princess after all.

FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Indignantly._] What? What do you mean by that!

ROSA. I was only thinking that a real princess wouldn't be coming to an inn like this. Real princesses won't lie on anything but silks and velvets. You just wait and see; it's a trick!

FRAU LINDEMANN. Are you going to pretend that the letter isn't genuine; that the letter is a forgery?

ROSA. Maybe one of the regular customers is playing a joke. That student, Herr Strübel, he's always joking. [_Giggles._

FRAU LINDEMANN. When Herr Strübel makes a joke he makes a decent joke, a real, genuine joke. Oh, of course one has to pretend to be angry sometimes--but as for writing a forged letter--My land!--a letter with a gold crown on it--there! [_She takes a letter from her waist and reads._] "This afternoon Her Highness, the Princess von Geldern, will stop at the Fairview Inn, to rest an hour or so before making the descent to the Springs. You are requested to have ready a quiet and comfortable room, to guard Her Highness from any annoying advances, and, above all, to maintain the strictest secrecy regarding this event, as otherwise the royal visit will not be repeated. Baroness von Brook, maid of honor to Her Highness." Now, what have you got to say?

ROSA. Herr Strübel lent me a book once. A maid of honor came into that, too. I'm sure it's a trick!

FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Looking out toward the back._] Dear, dear, isn't that Herr Strübel now, coming up the hill? To-day of all days! What on earth does he always want up here?

ROSA. [_Pointedly._] He's in such favor at the Inn. He won't be leaving here all day.

FRAU LINDEMANN. That won't do at all. He's got to be sent off. If I only knew how I could--Oh, ho! I'll be disagreeable to him--that's the only way to manage it!

[STRÜBEL _enters. He is a handsome young fellow without much
polish, but cheerful, unaffected, entirely at his ease, and
invariably good-natured._

STRÜBEL. Good day, everybody.

FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Sarcastically._] Charming day.

STRÜBEL. [_Surprised at her coolness._] I say! What's up? Who's been rubbing you the wrong way? May I have a glass of beer, anyway? Glass of beer, if you please! Several glasses of beer, if you please. [_Sits down._] Pestiferously hot this afternoon.

FRAU LINDEMANN. [_After a pause._] H'm, H'm.

STRÜBEL. Landlady Linda, dear, why so quiet to-day?

FRAU LINDEMANN. In the first place, Herr Strübel, I would have you know that my name is Frau Lindemann.

STRÜBEL. Just so.

FRAU LINDEMANN. And, secondly, if you don't stop your familiarity----

STRÜBEL. [_Singing, as_ ROSA _brings him a glass of beer_.] "Beer--beer!"--Heavens and earth, how hot it is! [_Drinks._

FRAU LINDEMANN. If you find it so hot, why don't you stay quietly down there at the Springs?

STRÜBEL. Ah, my soul thirsts for the heights--my soul thirsts for the heights every afternoon. Just as soon as ever my sallow-faced pupil has thrown himself down on the couch to give his red corpuscles a chance to grow, "I gayly grasp my Alpine staff and mount to my beloved."

FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Scornfully._] Bah!

STRÜBEL. Oh, you're thinking that _you_ are my beloved? No, dearest; my beloved stays down there. But to get nearer to her, I have to come up here--up to your telescope. With the aid of your telescope I can look right into her window--see?

ROSA. [_Laughing._] Oh, so that's why----

FRAU LINDEMANN. Perhaps you think I'm interested in all that? Besides, I've no more time for you. Moreover, I'm going to have this place cleaned right away. Good-by, Herr Strübel. [_Goes out._

STRÜBEL. [_Laughing._] I certainly caught it that time! See here, Rosa, what's got into her head?

ROSA. [_Mysteriously._] Ahem, there are crowned heads and other heads--and--ahem--there are letters _with_ crowns and letters _without_ crowns.

STRÜBEL. Letters--? Are you----?

ROSA. There are maids of honor--and other maids! [_Giggles._

STRÜBEL. Permit me. [_Tapping her forehead lightly with his finger._] Ow! Ow!

ROSA. What's the matter?

STRÜBEL. Why, your head's on fire. Blow! Blow! And while you are getting some salve for my burns, I'll just----

[_Goes to the telescope._

[_Enter_ FRAU VON HALLDORF, LIDDY, _and_ MILLY. FRAU VON HALLDORF
_is an aristocratic woman, somewhat supercilious and affected_.

LIDDY. Here's the telescope, mother. Now you can see for yourself.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. What a pity that it's in use just now.

STRÜBEL. [_Stepping back._] Oh, I beg of you, ladies--I have plenty of time. I can wait.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_Condescendingly._] Ah, thanks so much. [_She goes up to the telescope, while_ STRÜBEL _returns to his former place_.] Waitress! Bring us three glasses of milk.

LIDDY. [_As_ MILLY _languidly drops into a chair_.] Beyond to the right is the road, mother.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. Oh, I have found the road, but I see no carriage--neither a royal carriage nor any other sort.

LIDDY. Let me look.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. Please do.

LIDDY. It has disappeared now.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. Are you quite sure that it was a royal carriage?

LIDDY. Oh, one has an instinct for that sort of thing, mother. It comes to one in the cradle.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_As_ MILLY _yawns and sighs aloud_.] Are you sleepy, dear?

MILLY. No, only tired. I'm always tired.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. Well, that's just why we are at the Springs. Do as the princess does: take the waters religiously.

MILLY. The princess oughtn't to be climbing up such a steep hill either on a hot day like this.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_More softly._] Well, you know why we are taking all this trouble. If, by good luck, we should happen to meet the princess----

LIDDY. [_Who has been looking through the telescope._] Oh, there it is again!

FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_Eagerly._] Where? Where?

[_Takes_ LIDDY'S _place_.

LIDDY. It's just coming around the turn at the top.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. Oh, now I see it! Why, there's no one inside!

LIDDY. Well, then she's coming up on foot.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_To_ MILLY.] See, the princess is coming up on foot, too. And she is just as anæmic as you are.

MILLY. If I were going to marry a grand-duke, and if I could have my own carriage driven along beside me, I wouldn't complain of having to walk either.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. I can't see a thing now.

LIDDY. You have to turn the screw, mother.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. I have been turning it right along, but the telescope won't move.

LIDDY. Let me try.

STRÜBEL. [_Who has been throwing little wads of paper at_ ROSA _during the preceding conversation_.] What are they up to?

LIDDY. It seems to me that you've turned the screw too far, mother.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. Well, what shall we do about it?

STRÜBEL. [_Rising._] Permit me to come to your aid, ladies. I've had some experience with these old screws.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. Very kind--indeed.

[STRÜBEL _busies himself with the instrument_.

LIDDY. Listen, mother. If the carriage has almost reached the top the princess can't be far off. Wouldn't it be best, then, to watch for them on the road?

FRAU V. HALLDORF. Certainly, if you think that would be best, dear Liddy.

STRÜBEL. This is not only an old screw, but it's a regular perverted old screw.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. Ah, really? [_Aside to her daughters._] And if she should actually speak to us at this accidental meeting--and if we could present ourselves as the subjects of her noble fiancé, and tell her that we live at her future home--just imagine what an advantage that would give us over the other women of the court!

STRÜBEL. There, ladies! We have now rescued the useful instrument to which the far-sightedness of mankind is indebted.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. Thanks, so much. Pardon me, sir, but have you heard anything about the report that the princess is going to make the journey up here to-day?

STRÜBEL. The princess? The princess of the Springs? The princess of the lonely villa? The princess who is expected at the iron spring every morning, but who has never been seen by a living soul? Why, I am enormously interested. You wouldn't believe how much interested I am!

LIDDY. [_Who has looked out, back._] There--there--there--it is!

FRAU V. HALLDORF. The carriage?

LIDDY. It's reached the top already. It is stopping over there at the edge of the woods.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. She will surely enter it there, then. Come quickly, my dear children, so that it will look quite accidental. Here is your money. [_She throws a coin to_ ROSA _and unwraps a small package done up in tissue-paper, which she has brought with her_.] Here is a bouquet for you--and here's one for you. You are to present these to the princess.

MILLY. So that it will look quite accidental--oh, yes!

[_All three go out._

STRÜBEL. Good heavens! Could I--? I don't believe it! Surely she sits--well, I'll make sure right away--[_Goes up to the telescope and stops._] Oh, I'll go along with them, anyhow.

[_Exit after them._

FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Entering._] Have they all gone--all of them?

ROSA. All of them.

FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Looking toward the right._] There--there--two ladies and a lackey are coming up the footpath. Mercy me! How my heart is beating!--If I had only had the sofa recovered last spring!--What am I going to say to them?--Rosa, don't you know a poem by heart which you could speak to the princess? [ROSA _shrugs her shoulders_.] They're coming through the court now!--Stop putting your arms under your apron that way, you stupid thing!--oh dear, oh dear----

[_The door opens._ A LACKEY _in plain black livery enters, and
remains standing at the door. He precedes_ THE PRINCESS _and_ FRAU
V. BROOK. THE PRINCESS _is a pale, sickly, unassuming young girl,
wearing a very simple walking costume and a medium-sized leghorn
hat trimmed with roses_. FRAU V. BROOK _is a handsome, stately,
stern-looking woman, in the thirties. She is well-dressed, but in
accordance with the simple tastes of the North German nobility._

FRAU V. BROOK. Who is the proprietor of this place?

FRAU LINDEMANN. At your command, your Highness.

FRAU V. BROOK. [_Reprovingly._] I am the maid of honor. Where is the room that has been ordered?

FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Opens the door, left._] Here--at the head of the stairs--my lady.

FRAU V. BROOK. Would your Highness care to remain here for a few moments?

THE PRINCESS Very much, dear Frau von Brook.

FRAU V. BROOK. Edward, order what is needed for Her Highness, and see that a room next to Her Highness is prepared for me. I may assume that these are Your Highness's wishes?

THE PRINCESS. Why certainly, dear Frau von Brook.

[THE LACKEY, _who is carrying shawls and pillows, goes out with_ ROSA, _left_.

THE PRINCESS. Mais puisque je te dis, Eugénie, que je n'ai pas sommeil. M'envoyer coucher comme une enfant, c'est abominable.

FRAU V. BROOK. Mais je t'implore, chérie, sois sage! Tu sais, que c'est le médecin, qui----

THE PRINCESS. Ah, ton médecin! Toujours cette corvée. Et si je te dis----

FRAU V. BROOK. Chut! My dear woman, wouldn't it be best for you to superintend the preparations?

FRAU LINDEMANN. I am entirely at your service.

[_About to go out, left._

FRAU V. BROOK. One thing more. This veranda, leading from the house to the grounds--would it be possible to close it to the public?

FRAU LINDEMANN. Oh, certainly. The guests as often as not sit out under the trees.

FRAU V. BROOK. Very well, then do so, please. [FRAU LINDEMANN _locks the door_.] We may be assured that no one will enter this place?

FRAU LINDEMANN. If it is desired, none of us belonging to the house will come in here either.

FRAU V. BROOK. We should like that.

FRAU LINDEMANN. Very well. [_Exit._

FRAU V. BROOK. Really, you must be more careful, darling. If that woman had understood French--{SPACE}You must be careful!

THE PRINCESS. What would have been so dreadful about it?

FRAU V. BROOK. Oh, my dear child! This mood of yours, which is due to nothing but your illness--that reminds me, you haven't taken your peptonized milk yet--this is a secret which we must keep from every one, above all from your fiancé. If the Grand Duke should discover----

THE PRINCESS. [_Shrugging her shoulders._] Well, what of it?

FRAU V. BROOK. A bride's duty is to be a happy bride. Otherwise----

THE PRINCESS. Otherwise?

FRAU V. BROOK. She will be a lonely and an unloved woman.

THE PRINCESS. [_With a little smile of resignation._] Ah!

FRAU V. BROOK. What is it, dear? [THE PRINCESS _shakes her head_.] And then think of the strain of those formal presentations awaiting you in the autumn! You must grow strong. Remember that you must be equal to the most exacting demands of life.

THE PRINCESS. Of life? Whose life?

FRAU V. BROOK. What do you mean by that?

THE PRINCESS. Ah, what good does it do to talk about it?

FRAU V. BROOK. Yes, you are right. In my soul, too, there are unhappy and unholy thoughts that I would rather not utter. From my own experience I know that it is best to keep strictly within the narrow path of duty.

THE PRINCESS. And to go to sleep.

FRAU V. BROOK. Ah, it isn't only that.

THE PRINCESS. Look out there! See the woods! Ah, to lie down on the moss, to cover oneself with leaves, to watch the clouds pass by high above----

FRAU V. BROOK. [_Softening._] We can do that, too, some-time.

THE PRINCESS. [_Laughing aloud._] Sometime!

[THE LACKEY _appears at the door_.

FRAU V. BROOK. Is everything ready?

[THE LACKEY _bows_.

THE PRINCESS. [_Aside to_ FRAU V. BROOK.] But I simply cannot sleep.

FRAU V. BROOK. Try to, for my sake. [_Aloud._] Does Your Highness command----

THE PRINCESS. [_Smiling and sighing._] Yes, I command.

[_They go out, left._

[_The stage remains empty for several moments. Then_ STRÜBEL _is
heard trying the latch of the back door_.

STRÜBEL'S VOICE. Hullo! What's up! Why is this locked all of a sudden? Rosa! Open up! I've got to look through the telescope! Rosa! Won't you? Oh, well, I know how to help myself. [_He is seen walking outside of the glass-covered veranda. Then he puts his head through the open window at the right._] Not a soul inside? [_Climbs over._] Well, here we are. What on earth has happened to these people? [_Unlocks the back door and looks out._] Everything deserted. Well, it's all the same to me. [_Locks the door again._] But let's find out right away what the carriage has to do with the case.

[_Prepares to look through the telescope._ THE PRINCESS _enters
cautiously through the door at the left, her hat in her hand.
Without noticing_ STRÜBEL, _who is standing motionless before the
telescope, she goes hurriedly to the door at the back and unlocks
it_.

STRÜBEL. [_Startled at the sound of the key, turns around._] Why, how do you do? [THE PRINCESS, _not venturing to move, glances back at the door through which she has entered_.] Wouldn't you like to look through the telescope a while? Please do. [THE PRINCESS, _undecided as to whether or not she should answer him, takes a few steps back toward the door at the left_.] Why are you going away? I won't do anything to you.

THE PRINCESS. [_Reassured._] Oh, I'm not going away.

STRÜBEL. That's right. But--where have you come from? The door was locked. Surely you didn't climb through the window as I did?

THE PRINCESS. [_Frightened._] What? You came--through the window?----

STRÜBEL. Of course I did.

THE PRINCESS. [_Frightened anew._] Then I had rather----

[_About to go back._

STRÜBEL. Oh, my dear young lady, you just stay right here. Why, before I'd drive you away I'd pitch myself headlong over a precipice!

THE PRINCESS. [_Smiling, reassured._] I only wanted to go out into the woods for half an hour.

STRÜBEL. Oh, then you're a regular guest here at the Inn?

THE PRINCESS. [_Quickly._] Yes--yes, of course.

STRÜBEL. And of course you drink the waters down below?

THE PRINCESS. [_In a friendly way._] Oh, yes, I drink the waters. And I'm taking the baths, too.

STRÜBEL. Two hundred metres up and down every time! Isn't that very hard on you? Heavens! And you look so pale! See here, my dear young lady, don't you do it. It would be better for you to go down there--that is--{SPACE}Oh, forgive me! I've been talking without thinking. Of course, you have your own reasons--{SPACE}It's decidedly cheaper up here. _I_ know how to value a thing of that sort. I've never had any money in all my life!

THE PRINCESS. [_Trying to seem practical._] But when one comes to a watering-place, one must have money.

STRÜBEL. [_Slapping himself on the chest._] Do I look to you as if I drank iron? Thank Heaven, I can't afford such luxuries! No; I'm only a poor fellow who earns his miserable pittance during vacation by acting as a private tutor--that's to say, "miserable" is only a figure of speech, for in the morning I lie abed until nine, at noon I eat five and at night seven courses; and as for work, I really haven't a thing to do! My pupil is so anæmic--why, compared to him, _you're_ fit for a circus rider!

THE PRINCESS. [_Laughing unrestrainedly._] Oh, well, I'm rather glad I'm not one.

STRÜBEL. Dear me, it's a business like any other.

THE PRINCESS. Like any other? Really, I didn't think that.

STRÜBEL. And pray, what did you think then?

THE PRINCESS. Oh, I thought that they were--an entirely different sort of people.

STRÜBEL. My dear young lady, all people are "an entirely different sort." Of course _we_ two aren't. We get along real well together, don't we? As poor as church mice, both of us!

THE PRINCESS. [_Smiling reflectively._] Who knows? Perhaps that's true.

STRÜBEL. [_Kindly._] Do you know what? If you want to stay down there--I'll tell you how one can live cheaply. I have a friend, a student like myself. He's here to mend up as you are. I feed him up at the house where I'm staying. [_Frightened at a peculiar look of_ THE PRINCESS'S.] Oh, but you mustn't be--No, I shouldn't have said it. It wasn't decent of me. Only, let me tell you, I'm so glad to be able to help the poor fellow out of my unexpected earnings, that I'd like to be shouting it from the housetops all the time! Of course, you understand that, don't you?

THE PRINCESS. You like to help people, then?

STRÜBEL. Surely--don't you?

THE PRINCESS. [_Reflecting._] No. There's always so much talk about it, and the whole thing immediately appears in the newspapers.

STRÜBEL. What? If you help some one, that appears----?

THE PRINCESS. [_Quietly correcting herself._] I only mean if one takes part in entertainments for charity----

STRÜBEL. Oh, yes, naturally. In those things they always get some woman of rank to act as patroness, if they can, and she sees to it, you may be sure, that the newspapers make a fuss over it.

THE PRINCESS. [_Demurely._] Oh, not every----

STRÜBEL. Just try to teach me something I don't know about these titled women! Besides, my dear young lady, where is your home--in one of the large cities, or----?

THE PRINCESS. Oh, no. In quite a small town--really more like the country.

STRÜBEL. Then I'm going to show you something that you probably never saw before in all your life.

THE PRINCESS. Oh do! What is it?

STRÜBEL. A princess! H'm--not a make-believe, but a real, true-blue princess!

THE PRINCESS. Oh, really?

STRÜBEL. Yes. Our Princess of the Springs.

THE PRINCESS. And who may that be?

STRÜBEL. Why, Princess Marie Louise.

THE PRINCESS. Of Geldern?

STRÜBEL. Of course.

THE PRINCESS. Do you know her?

STRÜBEL. Why, certainly.

THE PRINCESS. Really? I thought that she lived in great retirement.

STRÜBEL. Well, that doesn't do her any good. Not a bit of it. And because you are such a jolly good fellow I'm going to tell you my secret. I'm in love with this princess!

THE PRINCESS. Oh!

STRÜBEL. You can't imagine what a comfort it is. The fact is, every young poet has got to have a princess to love.

THE PRINCESS. Are you a poet?

STRÜBEL. Can't you tell that by looking at me?

THE PRINCESS. I never saw a poet before.

STRÜBEL. Never saw a poet--never saw a princess! Why, you're learning a heap of things to-day!

THE PRINCESS. [_Assenting._] H'm--and have you written poems to her?

STRÜBEL. Why, that goes without saying! Quantities of 'em!

THE PRINCESS. Oh, please recite some little thing--won't you?

STRÜBEL. No, not yet. Everything at the proper time.

THE PRINCESS. Ah, yes, first I should like to see the princess.

STRÜBEL. No, first I am going to tell you the whole story.

THE PRINCESS. Oh, yes, yes. Please do. [_Sits down._

STRÜBEL. Well, then--I had hardly heard that she was here before I was dead in love with her. It was just as quick as a shot, I tell you. Just as if I had waited all my life long to fall in love with her. Besides, I also heard about her beauty--and her sorrow. You see, she had an early love affair.

THE PRINCESS. [_Disconcerted._] What? Are they saying that?

STRÜBEL. Yes. It was a young officer who went to Africa because of her--and died there.

THE PRINCESS. And they know that, too?

STRÜBEL. What don't they know? But that's a mere detail--it doesn't concern me. Even the fact that in six months she will become the bride of a grand-duke--even that can make no difference to me. For the present she is _my_ princess. But you're not listening to me!

THE PRINCESS. Oh, yes, I am!

STRÜBEL. Do you know what that means--_my_ princess! I'll not give up _my_ princess--not for anything in all the world!

THE PRINCESS. But--if you don't even know her----?

STRÜBEL. I don't know her? Why, I know her as well as I know myself!

THE PRINCESS. Have you ever met her, then?

STRÜBEL. I don't know of any one who has ever met her. And there's not a soul that can tell what she looks like. It is said that there were pictures of her in the shop-windows when she first came, but they were removed immediately. In the morning a great many people are always lurking around the Springs trying to catch a glimpse of her. I, myself, have gotten up at six o'clock a couple of times--on the same errand--and if you knew me better, you'd realize what that meant. But not a sign of her! Either she has the stuff brought to her house or she has the power of making herself invisible. [THE PRINCESS _turns aside to conceal a smile_.] After that, I used to hang around her garden--every day, for hours at a time. Until one day the policeman, whom the managers of the Springs have stationed at the gates, came up to me and asked me what on earth I was doing there. Well, that was the end of those methods of approach! Suddenly, however, a happy thought struck me. Now I can see her and have her near to me as often as I wish.

THE PRINCESS. Why, that's very interesting. How?

STRÜBEL. Yes, that's just the point. H'm, should I risk it? Should I take you into my confidence?

THE PRINCESS. You promised me some time ago that you would show her to me.

STRÜBEL. Wait a second. [_Looks through the telescope._] There she is. Please look for yourself.

THE PRINCESS. But I am--[_She, too, looks through the telescope._] Actually, there is the garden as plain as if one were in it.

STRÜBEL. And at the corner window on the left--with the embroidery-frame--that's she.

THE PRINCESS. Are you absolutely certain that that is the princess?

STRÜBEL. Why, who else could it be?

THE PRINCESS. Oh, 'round about a princess like that--there are such a lot of people. For instance, there is her waiting-woman, there's the seamstress and her assistants, there's----

STRÜBEL. But, my dear young lady, if you only understood anything about these matters, you would have been certain at the very first glance that it was she--and no one else. Observe the nobility in every motion--the queenly grace with which she bends over the embroidery-frame----

THE PRINCESS. How do you know that it's an embroidery-frame?

STRÜBEL. Why, what should a princess be bending over if not an embroidery-frame? Do you expect her to be darning stockings?

THE PRINCESS. It wouldn't hurt her at all!

STRÜBEL. Now, that's just one of those petty, bourgeois notions which we ought to suppress. It's not enough that _we_ have to stick in this misery, but we'd like to drag her down, too--that being far above all earthly care----

THE PRINCESS. Oh, dear me!

STRÜBEL. What are you sighing about so terribly?

THE PRINCESS. Tell me, wouldn't you like to have a closer acquaintance with your princess, some time?

STRÜBEL. Closer? Why should I? Isn't she close enough to me, my far-away princess?--for that's what I call her when I talk to myself about her. And to have her _still_ closer?

THE PRINCESS. Why, so that you could talk to her and know what she really was like?

STRÜBEL. [_Terrified._] Talk to her! Heaven forbid! Goodness gracious, no! Just see here--how am I to face a princess? I'm an ordinary fellow, the son of poor folks. I haven't polished manners--I haven't even a decent tailor. A lady like that--why, she'd measure me from top to toe in one glance. I've had my lessons in the fine houses where I've applied as tutor. A glance from boots to cravat--and you're dismissed!

THE PRINCESS. And you think that I--[_correcting herself_] that this girl is as superficial as that?

STRÜBEL. "This girl"! Dear me, how that sounds! But, how should I ever succeed in showing her my real self? And even if I should, what would she care? Oh, yes, if she were like you--so nice and simple--and with such a kindhearted, roguish little twinkle in her eye----!

THE PRINCESS. Roguish--I? Why so?

STRÜBEL. Because you are laughing at me in your sleeve. And really I deserve nothing better.

THE PRINCESS. But your princess deserves something better than your opinion of her.

STRÜBEL. How do you know that?

THE PRINCESS. You really ought to try to become acquainted with her some time.

STRÜBEL. No, no, no--and again no! As long as she remains my far-away princess she is everything that I want her to be--modest, gracious, loving. She smiles upon me dreamily. Yes, she even listens when I recite my poems to her--and that can't be said of many people! And as soon as I have finished she sighs, takes a rose from her breast, and casts it down to the poet. I wrote a few verses yesterday about that rose, that flower which represents the pinnacle of my desires, as it were.

THE PRINCESS. [_Eagerly._] Oh, yes. Oh, please, please!

STRÜBEL. Well, then, here goes. H'm----

"Twenty roses nestling close----"

THE PRINCESS. What? Are there twenty now?

STRÜBEL. [_Severely._] My princess would not have interrupted me.

THE PRINCESS. Oh, please--forgive me.

STRÜBEL. I shall begin again.

"Twenty roses nestling close
Gleam upon thy breast,
Twenty years of rose-red love
Upon thy fair cheeks rest.

"Twenty years would I gladly give
Out of life's brief reign,
Could I but ask a rose of thee
And ask it not in vain.

"Twenty roses thou dost not need--
Why, pearls and rubies are thine!
With nineteen thou'dst be just as fair,
And _one_ would then be _mine_!

"And twenty years of rose-wreathed joy
Would spring to life for me--
Yet twenty years could ne'er suffice
To worship it--and thee!"

THE PRINCESS. How nice that is! I've never had any verses written to me b----

STRÜBEL. Ah, my dear young lady, ordinary folks like us have to do their own verse-making!

THE PRINCESS. And all for one rose! Dear me, how soon it fades! And then what is left you?

STRÜBEL. No, my dear friend, a rose like that never fades--even as my love for the gracious giver can never die.

THE PRINCESS. But you haven't even got it yet!

STRÜBEL. That makes no difference in the end. I'm entirely independent of such externals. When some day I shall be explaining Ovid to the beginners, or perhaps even reading Horace with the more advanced classes--no, it's better for the present not to think of reaching any such dizzy heights of greatness--well, then I shall always be saying to myself with a smile of satisfaction: "You, too, were one of those confounded artist fellows--why, you once went so far as to love a princess!"

THE PRINCESS. And that will make you happy?

STRÜBEL. Enormously! For what makes us happy, after all? A bit of happiness? Great heavens, no! Happiness wears out like an old glove.

THE PRINCESS. Well, then, what does?

STRÜBEL. Ah, how should I know! Any kind of a dream--a fancy--a wish unfulfilled--a sorrow that we coddle--some nothing which suddenly becomes everything to us. I shall always say to my pupils: "Young men, if you want to be happy as long as you live, create gods for yourselves in your own image; these gods will take care of your happiness."

The Princess. And what would the god be like that you would create?

STRÜBEL. _Would be?_ _Is_, my dear young lady, _is!_ A man of the world, a gentleman, well-bred, smiling, enjoying life--who looks out upon mankind from under bushy eyebrows, who knows Nietzsche and Stendhal by heart, and--[_pointing to his shoes_] who isn't down at the heels--a god, in short, worthy of my princess. I know perfectly well that all my life long I shall never do anything but crawl around on the ground like an industrious ant, but I know, too, that the god of my fancy will always take me by the collar when the proper moment comes and pull me up again into the clouds. Yes, up there I'm safe. And your god, or rather your goddess--what would she look like?

THE PRINCESS. [_Thoughtfully._] That's not easy to say. My goddess would be--a quiet, peaceful woman who would treasure a secret little joy like the apple of her eye, who would know nothing of the world except what she wanted to know, and who would have the strength to make her own choice when it pleased her.

STRÜBEL. But that doesn't seem to me a particularly lofty aspiration, my dear young lady.

THE PRINCESS. Lofty as the heavens, my friend.

STRÜBEL. My princess would be of a different opinion.

THE PRINCESS. Do you think so?

STRÜBEL. For that's merely the ideal of every little country girl.

THE PRINCESS. Not her ideal--her daily life which she counts as naught. It is my ideal because I can never attain it.

STRÜBEL. Oh, I say, my dear young girl! It can't be as bad as that! A young girl like you--so charming and--I don't want to be forward, but if I could only help you a bit!

THE PRINCESS. Have you got to be helping all the time? Before, it was only a cheap lunch, now it's actually----

STRÜBEL. Yes, yes, I'm an awful donkey, I know, but----

THE PRINCESS. [_Smiling._] Don't say any more about it, dear friend! I like you that way.

STRÜBEL. [_Feeling oppressed by her superiority._] Really, you are an awfully strange person! There's something about you that--that----

THE PRINCESS. Well?

STRÜBEL. I can't exactly define it. Tell me, weren't you wanting to go into the woods before? It's so--so oppressive in here.

THE PRINCESS. Oppressive? I don't find it so at all--quite the contrary.

STRÜBEL. No, no--I'm restless. I don't know what--at all events, may I not escort you--? One can chat more freely, one can express himself more openly--if one----

[_Takes a deep breath._

THE PRINCESS. [_Smiling._] And you are leaving your far-away princess with such a light heart?

STRÜBEL. [_Carelessly._] Oh, she! She won't run away. She'll be sitting there to-morrow again--and the day after, too!

THE PRINCESS. And so that is your great, undying love?

STRÜBEL. Yes, but when a girl like you comes across one's path----

FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_Hurrying in and then drawing back in feigned astonishment._] Oh!

LIDDY AND MILLY. [_Similarly._] Oh!

STRÜBEL. Well, ladies, didn't I tell you that you wouldn't find her? Princesses don't grow along the roadside like weeds!

FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_Disregarding him--ceremoniously._] The infinite happiness with which this glorious event fills our hearts must excuse in some measure the extraordinary breach of good manners which we are committing in daring to address Your Highness. But, as the fortunate subjects of Your Highness's most noble fiancé, we could not refrain from----

STRÜBEL. Well, well! What's all this?

FRAU V. HALLDORF.--from offering to our eagerly awaited sovereign a slight token of our future loyalty. Liddy! Milly! [LIDDY _and_ MILLY _come forward, and, with low court bows, offer their bouquets_.] My daughters respectfully present these few flowers to the illustrious princess----

STRÜBEL. I beg your pardon, but who is doing the joking here, you or----?

[FRAU V. BROOK _enters_. THE PRINCESS, _taken unawares, has
retreated more and more helplessly toward the door at the left,
undecided whether to take flight or remain. She greets the arrival
of_ FRAU V. BROOK _with a happy sigh of relief_.

FRAU V. BROOK. [_Severely._] Pardon me, ladies. Apparently you have not taken the proper steps toward being presented to Her Highness. In matters of this sort one must first apply to me. I may be addressed every morning from eleven to twelve, and I shall be happy to consider your desires.

FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_With dignity._] I and my children, madame, were aware of the fact that we were acting contrary to the usual procedure; but the impulse of loyal hearts is guided by no rule. I shall be glad to avail myself of your--very kind invitation.

[_All three go out with low curtsies to_ THE PRINCESS.

FRAU V. BROOK. What forwardness! But how could you come down without me? And what is that young man over there doing? Does he belong to those people?

[THE PRINCESS _shakes her head_. STRÜBEL, _without a word, goes to
get his hat, which has been lying on a chair, bows abruptly, and is
about to leave_.

THE PRINCESS. Oh, no! That wouldn't be nice. Not that way----

FRAU V. BROOK. [_Amazed._] What? What! Why, Your Highness----!

THE PRINCESS. Let me be, Eugenie. This young man and I have become far too good friends to part in such an unfriendly, yes, almost hostile fashion.

FRAU V. BROOK. Your Highness, I am _very_ much----

THE PRINCESS. [_To_ STRÜBEL.] You and I will certainly remember this hour with great pleasure, and I thank you for it with all my heart. If I only had a rose with me, so as to give you your dear wish! Eugenie, haven't we any roses with us?

FRAU V. BROOK. Your Highness, I am _very_ much----

THE PRINCESS. [_Examining herself and searching among the vases._] Well, how are we going to manage it?

STRÜBEL. I most humbly thank--your Highness--for the kind intention.

THE PRINCESS. No, no--wait! [_Her glance falls upon the hat which she is holding in her hand--with a sudden thought._] I have it! But don't think that I'm joking. And we'll have to do without scissors! [_She tears one of the roses from the hat._] I don't know whether there are just twenty--[_Holding out one of the roses to him._] Well? This rose has the merit of being just as real as the sentiment of which we were speaking before--and just as unfading.

STRÜBEL. Is this--to be--my punishment? [THE PRINCESS _smilingly shakes her head_.] Or does your Highness mean by it that only the Unreal never fades?

THE PRINCESS. That's exactly what I mean--because the Unreal must always dwell in the imagination.

STRÜBEL. So that's it! Just as it is only the _far-away_ princesses who are always near to us.

FRAU V. BROOK. Permit me to remark, Your Highness--that it is _high_ time----

THE PRINCESS. As you see, those who are near must hurry away. [_Offering him the rose again._] Well?

STRÜBEL. [_Is about to take it, but lets his hand fall._] With the far-away princess there--[_pointing down_] it would have been in harmony, but with the--[_Shakes his head, then softly and with emotion._] No, thanks--I'd rather not.

[_He bows and goes out._

THE PRINCESS. [_Smiling pensively, throws away the artificial flower._] I'm going to ask my fiancé to let me send him a rose.

FRAU V. BROOK. Your Highness, I am _very_ much--surprised!

THE PRINCESS. Well, I told you that I wasn't sleepy.

CURTAIN

THE STRONGER

BY

AUGUST STRINDBERG

AUGUST STRINDBERG