Balthilda.
How should I laugh at thee, beloved?
Teja.
I am hungry.
Balthilda(springing up in surprise).
Alas, surely thou hast given everything away!
Teja.
Oh, by no means! Go just over there, wilt thou? (She obeys.) Behind my couch--seest thou the fireplace?
Balthilda.
Here where the ashes lie?
Teja.
There standeth a chest?
Balthilda.
Yea.
Teja.
Wilt thou open the lid?
Balthilda.
Ah, it is heavy!
Teja.
Now feel within! Deep, deep!... There Ildibad the old miser--well?
Balthilda(disappointedly).
A couple of bread crusts; is that all, Sire?
Teja.
There is indeed nothing more.
Balthilda.
May I not then go quickly over to the Wagenburg?... Perhaps still ...
Teja.
Oh nay.... They themselves need the fragments.... Bring that hither! As brothers we shall share it--eh? And then there is sufficient for both. Wilt thou?
Balthilda.
Yea. (She sits beside him.)
Teja.
So, now give to me! Ah, that is good to the taste! Is it not good to the taste? But ah, thou also must eat.
Balthilda.
I fear there is not enough for thee.
Teja.
Nay, that is against the agreement.... So.... Is it not good to the taste?
Balthilda.
To me nothing hath ever tasted half so sweet.
Teja.
Pray come nearer to me ... I will take the crumbs from thy lap ... So--why is it that suddenly I am hungry? See, now we celebrate our marriage feast.
Balthilda.
And better than those without, with meat and wine--do we not?
Teja.
Well, did I not tell thee?... But thou hast a bad seat!
Balthilda.
Nay, I am seated well!
Teja.
Come, stand up! Pray, stand up! Balthilda (rising). Well?
Teja.
Sit there, just above! Balthilda (terrified). Upon the throne--for God's sake--how dare I----?
Teja.
Art thou not then the Queen? Balthilda (decidedly). If I must sit there in earnest! But in jest--nay!
Teja.
Ah, the stupid bit of wood! (He hurls down the throne.) At least it should be of use for something!... So now lean against it!
Balthilda.
Beloved, doest thou justly?
Teja(surprised).
Nay! (He sets the throne up again, leads her to her former place, and places her head against the seat.) There indeed thou art well seated--yea!... And we trespass not against this trash. If the Bishop had seen that--he, ha, ha, ha! Wait, I will eat again!
Balthilda.
There, take!
Teja.
Still--remain quite still! I shall fetch it for myself. (He kneels upon the podium beside her.) Now I am quite upon my knees before thee.... What is there that we do not learn!... Thou art beautiful!... I never knew my mother!
Balthilda.
Never knew!
Teja.
Never had a sister.... No one.... Never played in my life.... That I am surely learning last not least.
Balthilda.
Why last not least?
Teja.
Ask not--nay? Ah thou, thou! Ha, ha, ha! Pray eat! Bite from mine--yea? Obediently--thou knowest what the Bishop said?
Balthilda(bites and then springs up).
But wilt thou not also drink?
Teja.
Ah, surely! Bring me only the milk jar! Bring me only the milk jar.... Thou knowest the one that Ildibad told us of.
Balthilda(who has walked across).
Is this the one?
Teja(rising).
That is indeed it. But thou also must drink.
Balthilda.
Is it fitting so?
Teja.
I know not. It should be!
Balthilda.
So be it, then. (She drinks and shakes with laughter.) Ugh! That hath a bad taste.
Teja.
Give it to me. (He drinks.) Nay! (He drinks again.) Go!... Art thou then such a despiser of nourishment?... Yea, who art thou then? And how comest thou hither? And just what wilt thou of me?
Balthilda.
I will love thee!
Teja.
Thou--my wife! Thou ... (They fly into one another's arms. Softly.) And wilt thou not kiss me?
(Balthildashakes her head, ashamed.)
Teja.
Why not?
(Balthildaagain shakes her head.)
Teja.
Yet tell me, why not?
Balthilda.
I will tell thee in thine ear.
Teja.
Well?
Balthilda.
Thou hast a downy beard.[1]
Teja.
(Wipes his month in terror, then in assumed anger.) What have I? Knowest thou not who I am? How then dost thou suffer thyself to tell thy King he--say it yet once more! I will but see.
Balthilda(laughing).
A--downy--beard.
Teja(laughing).
Now, wait!
THE SAME.ILDIBAD.
Ildibad.
Sire, thou calledst? (He stands rigid with astonishment, and is about to retire silently.)
Teja.
(Collects himself abruptly. He appears to wake out of a dream. His manners and bearing revert to the gloomy energy which previously had the ascendency.) Stop, stay, what happens without?
Ildibad.
The warriors return from the Wagenburg, sire, and most of the wives come with them.
Teja.
Are the leaders assembled?
Ildibad.
Yea, Sire.
Teja.
They might have patience for a moment more.
Ildibad.
Yea, Sire.
Teja.
For I also have a wife.
Ildibad.
Yea, verily, Sire.
[Exit.]
TEJA.BALTHILDA.
Balthilda.
Teja, beloved, what happeneth to thee?
Teja.
(Remains standing before her and takes her head in his hands.) To me, it is as if in this hour we had strayed hand in hand through a whole world of joy and sorrow. That disappeareth--all disappeareth. I am again the--I was--nay, I am not he.--But be thou high above all the women, the Queen ... Wilt thou?
Balthilda.
Sire, what dost thou require of me?
Teja.
Thou wilt not entreat and wilt not cry out?
Balthilda.
Nay, Sire.
Teja.
The day draweth nigh. Before us standeth death.
Balthilda.
Sire, I understand thee not. None can attack us, and until the ships come----
Teja.
The ships come never more.
(Balthildastrokes herself on the cheeks, and then stands motionless.)
Teja.
But we men are going forth upon the field, to fight.
Balthilda.
That can ye not do--that is surely--impossible.
Teja.
We must. Art thou the Queen, and perceivest not that we must?
Balthilda.
Yea--I--per--ceive--it.
Teja.
The King fights in the foremost rank, and we shall see each other no more alive.... Knowest thou that?
Balthilda.
Yea, I know it!... (Silence. They look at each other.)
Teja.
Thy blessing will I have upon the way. (He sinks on his knees before her; she lays her hands upon his head, bends down to him, trembling, and kisses him on the forehead.)
Teja.
(Springs up and tears back the curtain.) Enter, who waiteth there!
THE SAME.AMALABERGA,EURIC,AGILA,ATHANARIC,THEODEMIR,and other leaders.
Amalaberga.
King, I sent my child to thee.... I hear ye men have to act.... Give her again to me.
Teja.
Here hast thou thy child! (ExeuntAmalabergaandBalthilda.)
THE SAME.ExceptAMALABERGAandBALTHILDA.
Teja.
(Stares after them, rouses himself, and perceives the Bishop.) Bishop, I treated thee basely this evening. Forgive me and have my thanks, for surely I also know why the Goth loveth death.... (Grasps his sword.) Now be ye ready? Have the farewells been said?
Theodemir.
Sire, we have disobeyed thy command. Which of our wives betrayed it, and which of us told it, that cannot be determined. Enough, they all know it.
Teja.
And then have cried ah and woe?
Theodemir.
Sire, they have silently kissed the blessing of death upon our brows.
Teja(exclaims half to himself).
They also! (Aloud.) Truly we are a nation of kings. It is our misfortune. So come! (He strides to the background. The others follow. Amid the noisy cries of the people greeting the King, the curtain falls.)
Herr von Drosse, Major (retired), Lord of the Manor.Helene, his wife.Fritz, their son.Agnes, niece of Frau von Drosse.Von Hallerpfort, lieutenant.Stephan, overseer.Wilhelm, servant.
Herr von Drosse, Major (retired), Lord of the Manor.
Helene, his wife.
Fritz, their son.
Agnes, niece of Frau von Drosse.
Von Hallerpfort, lieutenant.
Stephan, overseer.
Wilhelm, servant.
The action takes place on Herr von Drosse's estate. Time, the present.
The scene represents a drawing-room on the ground floor. In the rear are wide glass doors which stand open, and permit a view of the terrace and splendid park lying beyond. Windows to the right and left. On the right side, a sofa with table and chairs; on the left, a secretary with writing materials. Handsome old-fashioned decorations, pictures of battles, portraits in oval frames, racing prints, etc. The terrace is sheltered by a broad awning which slightly subdues the glare of the bright summer afternoon.
Wilhelm(servant over sixty, in half livery, is engaged in arranging the samovar for the afternoon coffee).Agnes(extremely slender, nervous, with traces of mental distress--twenty years of age--blonde hair smoothed on the temples, light muslin gown, a garden hat in her hand--enters from the terrace).
Agnes.
Wilhelm, has the postman been here?
Wilhelm(sighing).
Yes, yes, he was here.
Agnes.
Where are the things?
Wilhelm.
They are on the table, Fräulein.
Agnes.
(Goes quickly to the table and with feverish haste looks through the small pile of newspapers and letters lying there.) Again, nothing!
Wilhelm.
Yes, indeed--and this is the seventh day. Ah, it is really heart-breaking.
Agnes.
Are your master and mistress still taking their afternoon nap?
Wilhelm.
I have just heard the Major. He will be here directly--there he is now!
THE SAME.MAJOR VON DROSSE(about fifty, tall, broad-shouldered, rather stout. Dark-grayish full beard parted in the middle, waving right and left over his shoulders. In the full, well-browned face with flashing eyes and bushy eyebrows, there are energy and abundant vitality, controlled by the self-command and chivalric manner of an old officer. Brief in speech, domineering, but never without a gleam of inner kindness).
Major.
Afternoon, Agnes!
Agnes.
Afternoon, uncle!
Major.
(Goes to the table, examines the letters, sits down and looks straight before him for a little while.) Wilhelm!
Wilhelm.
What does the Major wish?
Major.
Stephan is to come at once to the castle.
Wilhelm.
Very well, Major. (Exit.)
Major.
Agnes, my child, just listen to me ... You are a reasonable creature ... One that I can talk to.... So the rascal has again not written. He should have come to us, day before yesterday. Has made no excuses--doesn't write--nothing. That has not happened during the six years that he has been away from home. I ordered him most strictly to send a letter, or at least a card, every day--for with her illness, your aunt must be guarded against the slightest anxiety or excitement. He knows that, and moreover has always observed it conscientiously. I can't any longer be responsible for your aunt and her weakened heart. Unless we use every means to keep her in her--visionary life, she will go to pieces.
Agnes.
Uncle!
Major.
We must make up our minds to that, Agnes. Really, I do what I can. Yesterday I even forged a telegram to her--you know that, eh! I did intend to write to his intimate friend Hallerpfort, but thought better of it. I shall drive into town directly after dark. Without your aunt knowing it, of course--for now, during the harvest, that would upset her still more. So you will stay all night with her, and er--well, the rest I will arrange with Stephan.
Agnes.
Very well, dear uncle.
Major.
Just come here, girl, look me in the face ... We two know each other and ... Eh?
(Agnescasts down her eyes.)
Major.
Now see, I know very well that for two years you have been secretly corresponding with Fritz.
Agnes.
Uncle! (Presses her hands to her face.)
Major.
There, that will do, that will do, that will do.... You can well believe, if I had been opposed to it on principle, I should have long since put an end to the business, shouldn't I?... But there are things--well, in short, that you don't understand. Well, I should not have begun about the matter to-day, but necessity knows no law, eh? And if I go to see him this evening, I don't wish to grope altogether in the dark.... So--on the basis of what has just been said--have you, perhaps, by any chance had a letter from him?
Agnes.
No, uncle!
Major.
Hm!
Agnes (hesitating, embarrassed).
For some time we have not corresponded.
Major.
So?--Ho, ho ...! Who is to blame for that?
Agnes.
Ah, let us not talk about that, uncle. But from another quarter, I have had news of him.
Major.
When?
Agnes.
Yesterday.
Major.
And that you have----?
Agnes.
(Taking a letter from her pocket.) Please read--and I think you will not reproach me.
Major(unfolding the letter).
Ah, from the little Frohn! Now then, what does the little Frohn write? (Reads, muttering.) Lanskis--Steinhof--met cousin--danced (aloud). Indeed, then he could dance, but not write, that is a nice business--I should not have believed it of him at all.... (Reads further, muttering.) Eyes for the so-called beautiful Frau von Lanski ... The whole regiment is talking of it.... Hm! eh, what! Such a goose! What things such a goose does cackle!... Regiment has other things to bother itself about.... But such a regulation goose ... If a young lieutenant like that isn't all the time trotting after them. And when he once shows attention to a lady who doesn't belong to the regiment ... Besides, the Lanski is nearly forty ... Such idiocy! Then he might at least--hm--hm--eh, pardon! Now then, what is it?... My poor old girl ... Yes, yes, jealousy ... You have borne up disgracefully since yesterday.
Agnes.
I think I have controlled myself, uncle?
Major.
Yes, very true, girl, no one has noticed anything.
THE SAME.WILHELM.AfterwardSTEPHAN,the overseer.
Wilhelm(entering from the right).
Herr Stephan is there, Major.
Major.
Come in!
(EnterStephan.)
Very well, my dear Stephen, I must drive into town directly after dark. Unless I should be detained, I shall be here early to-morrow morning--four and a half and four and a half more miles--nine miles.... The coach horses have been exercised to-day?
Stephan.
Yes, indeed, Major.
Major.
Which are in better condition now, the browns or the whites?
Stephan.
That I don't permit myself to decide, Major. They have all had it severely!
Major.
Well, I will just go and have a look myself. Wilhelm--cap!
Wilhelm.
Very well, Major. (Exit to the right.)
Major.
And at half after nine this evening, send a message to my wife and have her told that I must stay all night at the brick kilns--eh, you remember (softly, looking around atAgnes) how we managed it the other times when I was out at night.
Stephan.
All right, Major.
Major.
Where is that fellow stopping with my cap? (EnterWilhelm.) Where were you hiding, man? (Wilhelmhands him the cap.) And he is tottering on his old legs! What are you tottering so for?
Wilhelm.
Indeed I am not tottering, Major.
Major.
Well, come on, Stephan! (ExeuntMajor,Stephan,through the garden door.)
AGNES.WILHELM.AfterwardLIEUTENANT VON HALLERPFORT.
Wilhelm(softly).
Fräulein, just now as I went out, Lieutenant von Hallerpfort was standing there and wished to speak with Fräulein, privately. Neither the master nor the mistress is to know anything of it ... God, Fräulein is deadly pale!