COOK.

Let not my king condemn me unheard.  Heaven is my witness, that I took all pains to secure those pretty white animals; I even wanted to purchase them at a rather high price, but there are absolutely none to be had.  If it were possible to get possession of even one of these rabbits, do you think you would be allowed to doubt for one moment longer the love your subjects bear you?

KING.

Stop with those roguish words, betake yourself to the kitchen and show by your action that you love your king. (Exit cook.) Now I turn to you, my prince, and to you my daughter.  I have been informed, worthy prince, that my daughter does not love you; she is a thoughtless, silly girl, but I still give her credit for so much common sense as probably to have several reasons.  She causes me care and sadness, grief and worry, and my old eyes are flooded with tears when I think of how she will get along after my death.  “You will be left an old maid,” I have told her a thousand times; “take your chance while it is offered you;” but she will not hear; well, then she’ll have to be made to feel.

PRINCESS.

My father—­

KING (weeping and sobbing).

Go, ungrateful, disobedient girl—­by your refusal you are drawing me into—­alas, only too early a grave! (He supports himself on the throne, covers his face with his cloak and weeps bitterly.)

FISCHER.

Why, the king does not remain true to his character for a moment.

[Groom of the Chamber comes in.]

GROOM.

Your majesty, a strange man is outside and begs to be admitted before your majesty.

KING (sobbing).

Who is it?

GROOM.

I beg pardon, my king, for not being able to answer this question.  Judging by his long white beard, one should say he is an old man, and his face completely covered with hair should almost confirm one in this opinion, but then again he has such bright, youthful eyes, such a smooth, flexible back, that one cannot understand him.  He appears to be a wealthy man; for he is wearing a pair of fine boots and as far as I can infer from his exterior he seems to be a hunter.

KING.

Bring him in; I am curious to see him.

        [Groom goes and returns directly with HINZE.]

HINZE.

With your majesty’s most gracious permission the Count of
Carabas makes bold to present you with a rabbit.

KING (delighted).

A rabbit?  Do you hear it, really, people?  Ah, fate
has become reconciled with me again!  A rabbit?

HINZE (takes it out of his knapsack).

Here, great monarch!

KING.

Here—­just hold the sceptre a moment, prince. (He feels the rabbit.) Fat! nice and fat!  From the Count of ——­

HINZE.

Carabas.

KING.