HINZE (purrs).

SHE.

It seems best to me that we be parted again.

HE.

I am at your bidding.

[Exit the lovers.]

HINZE.

Nice people, these so-called human beings.  Just look, two partridges; I will carry them off quickly.  Now, fortune, make haste, for I myself am almost getting impatient.  Now I have no longer any desire to eat the partridges.  It’s probably thus, that, by mere habit, we can implant in our nature every possible virtue.

[Exit.]

Hall in the Palace

The KING on his throne with the PRINCESS; LEANDER in a lecturer’s chair; opposite him JACKPUDDING in another lecturer’s chair; in the centre of the hall a costly hat, decorated with gold and precious stones, is fastened on a high pole.  The entire court is present.

KING.

Never yet has a person rendered such services to his country as this amiable Count of Carabas.  Our historian has already almost filled a thick volume, so often has the Count presented me with pretty and delicious gifts, sometimes even twice a day, through his hunter.  My appreciation of his kindness is boundless and I desire nothing more earnestly than to find at some time the opportunity of discharging to some extent the great debt I owe him.

PRINCESS.

Dearest father, would your majesty not most graciously permit the learned disputation to begin?  My heart yearns for this mental activity.

KING.

Yes, it may begin now.  Court scholar—­court fool—­you both know that to the one who gains the victory in this disputation is allotted that costly hat; for this very reason have I had it set up here, so that you may have it always before your eyes and never be in want of quick wit.

[LEANDER and JACKPUDDING bow.]

LEANDER.

The theme of my assertion is, that a recently published play by the name of Puss in Boots is a good play.

JACKPUD.

That is just what I deny.

LEANDER.

Prove that it is bad.

JACKPUD.

Prove that it is good.

LEUTNER.

What’s this again?  Why that’s the very play they are giving here, if I am not mistaken.

MUeLLER.

No other.

SCHLOSS.

Do tell me whether I am awake and have my eyes open.

LEANDER.

The play, if not perfectly excellent, is still to be praised in several respects.

JACKPUD.

Not one respect.

LEANDER.

I assert that it displays wit.

JACKPUD.

I assert that it displays none.

LEANDER.

You are a fool; how can you pretend to judge concerning wit?

JACKPUD.

And you are a scholar; what can you pretend to understand about wit?

LEANDER.