Indeed, he must be an excellent man.  I must become better acquainted with him.  Who is the man?  Which of you knows him?  Why does he keep himself concealed?  If such heads as that are allowed to remain idle, what will become of our throne!  I would cry for joy. Sends me a rabbit! Groom, give it to the cook directly.

[Groom takes it.  Exit.]

NATHAN.

My king, I beg most humbly to make my departure.

KING.

Why, indeed!  I had almost forgotten that in my joy!  Farewell, prince, yes, you must make room for other suitors; it cannot be otherwise.  Adieu!  I wish you had a highroad all the way home.

[Prince kisses his hand.  Exit.]

KING (shouting).

People!  Let my historian come!

[The historian appears.]

KING.

Here, friend, come, here’s some material for our history of the world.  You have your book with you, of course!

HISTORIAN.

Yes, my king.

KING.

Now enter immediately, that on such and such a day (whatever date we happen to have today) the Count of Carabas sent me a present of a most delicious rabbit.

[HISTORIAN seats himself and writes.]

KING.

Do not forget, Anno currentis.  I must think of everything, otherwise it’s always sure to be done wrong. (Blast of a trumpet is heard.) Ah, dinner is ready—­come, my daughter, do not weep; if it isn’t one prince, it will be another.  Hunter, we thank you for your trouble.  Will you accompany us to the dining-room?

(They go, HINZE follows.)

LEUTNER.

Pretty soon I shall not be able to stand it any longer; why, what has happened to the father now, who was so tender to his daughter at first and touched us all so?

FISCHER.

The only thing that vexes me is that not a person in the play wonders at the cat; the king and all act as though it had to be so.

SCHLOSS.

My head is all dizzy with this queer stuff.

Royal dining-room

Large table set.  Sound of drums and trumpets.  Enter the KING, the PRINCESS, LEANDER, HINZE, several distinguished guests and JACKPUDDING, Servants, waiting at the table.

KING.

Let us sit down, otherwise the soup will get cold!  Has the hunter been taken care of?

SERVANT.

Yes, your majesty, he will eat at the little table here with the court fool.

JACKPUDDING (to HINZE).

Let us sit down, otherwise the soup will get
cold.

HINZE (sits down).

With whom have I the honor of dining?

JACKPUD.

A man is what he is, Sir Hunter; we cannot all do the same thing.  I am a poor, exiled fugitive, a man who was once, a long time ago, witty, but who has now become stupid and re-entered service in a foreign land where he is again considered witty for a while.