even with men known to be their superiors.  I think, too, that one could find hundreds and hundreds of men in love who for the sake of a night of pleasure would let themselves be killed in the morning.  And you see in sieges how soldiers will desert in droves and flock to the beleaguered city, which they know must shortly surrender, and in order to live in luxury for one day will get themselves hanged the next.  One way is no more rational than the other.  In olden times even philosophers used to subject themselves deliberately to misfortune in order that after their death they might be praised.  Therefore, Eric, I thoroughly believe that you would rather have allowed yourself to be hanged than have spoiled our beautiful practical joke.

EPILOGUE

(Spoken by the Baron)

Of this adventure, children, the moral is quite clear:  To elevate the lowly above their proper sphere Involves no less a peril than rashly tumbling down The great who rise to power by deeds of just renown.  Permit the base-born yokel untutored sway to urge, The sceptre of dominion as soon becomes a scourge.  Let once despotic power drive justice from the realm, In every peaceful hamlet a Nero grasps the helm.  Could Phalaris or Caius in days of yore have been More merciless a tyrant than him we here have seen?  Before the seat of justice had time his warmth to feel He threatened us with torture, the gallows, and the wheel.  Nay, never shall we tremble beneath a boor’s dictates Or set a plowman over us, as oft in ancient states—­For if we sought to pattern us on follies such as those, Each history of dominion in tyranny would close.

THE POLITICAL TINKER

[Den politiske Kandestober]

A COMEDY IN FIVE ACTS

1722-1731

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Herman von Bremen, a tinker. 
Geske, his wife. 
Engelke, his daughter.

Henrich }
Anneke }- his servants. 
Peiter }

Antonius, Engelke’s lover.

Jens, a tavern-keeper }
Richard, a brushmaker } Members of the
Gert, a furrier }- Collegium Politicum. 
Sivert, a baggage inspector }
Franz, a cutler }

Abrahams }
Sanderus }- Practical jokers.

Madame Abrahams.
Madame Sanderus. 
Arianke, a blacksmith’s wife.

A Man pretending to be Alderman of the Hatters’ Guild, Petitioners,
Women, Boys, Lackeys, and others.

Acts I and iii

Scene:  Hamburg.  A street, showing Herman’s house.

Acts II, IV, and V