Chapter 17
SONG--RUDOLPH.
A pattern to professors of monarchical autonomy, I don't indulge in levity or compromising bonhomie, But dignified formality, consistent with economy, Above all other virtues I particularly prize.
I never join in merriment--I don't see joke or j.a.pe any-- I never tolerate familiarity in shape any-- This, joined with an extravagant respect for tuppence-ha'penny, A keynote to my character sufficiently supplies.
(Speaking.) Observe. (To Chamberlains.) My snuff-box!
(The snuff-box is pa.s.sed with much ceremony from the Junior Chamberlain, through all the others, until it is presented by the Senior Chamberlain to RUDOLPH, who uses it.)
That incident a keynote to my character supplies.
RUD. I weigh out tea and sugar with precision mathematical-- Instead of beer, a penny each--my orders are emphatical-- (Extravagance unpardonable, any more than that I call), But, on the other hand, my Ducal dignity to keep-- All Courtly ceremonial--to put it comprehensively-- I rigidly insist upon (but not, I hope, offensively) Whenever ceremonial can be practised inexpensively-- And, when you come to think of it, it's really very cheap!
(Speaking.) Observe. (To Chamberlains.) My handkerchief!
(Handkerchief is handed by Junior Chamberlain to the next in order, and so on until it reaches RUDOLPH, who is much inconvenienced by the delay.)
It's sometimes inconvenient, but it's always very cheap!
RUD. My Lord Chamberlain, as you are aware, my marriage with the wealthy Baroness von Krakenfeldt will take place to-morrow, and you will be good enough to see that the rejoicings are on a scale of unusual liberality. Pa.s.s that on. (Chamberlain whispers to Vice-Chamberlain, who whispers to the next, and so on.) The sports will begin with a Wedding Breakfast Bee. The leading pastry-cooks of the town will be invited to compete, and the winner will not only enjoy the satisfaction of seeing his breakfast devoured by the Grand Ducal pair, but he will also be ent.i.tled to have the Arms of Pfennig Halbpfennig tattoo'd between his shoulder-blades. The Vice-Chamberlain will see to this. All the public fountains of Speisesaal will run with Gingerbierheim and Currantweinmilch at the public expense. The a.s.sistant Vice-Chamberlain will see to this. At night, everybody will illuminate; and as I have no desire to tax the public funds unduly, this will be done at the inhabitants' private expense.
The Deputy a.s.sistant Vice-Chamberlain will see to this. All my Grand Ducal subjects will wear new clothes, and the Sub-Deputy a.s.sistant Vice-Chamberlain will collect the usual commission on all sales. Wedding presents (which, on this occasion, should be on a scale of extraordinary magnificence) will be received at the Palace at any hour of the twenty-four, and the Temporary Sub-Deputy a.s.sistant Vice-Chamberlain will sit up all night for this purpose. The entire population will be commanded to enjoy themselves, and with this view the Acting Temporary Sub-Deputy a.s.sistant Vice-Chamberlain will sing comic songs in the Market-place from noon to nightfall. Finally, we have composed a Wedding Anthem, with which the entire population are required to provide themselves. It can be obtained from our Grand Ducal publishers at the usual discount price, and all the Chamberlains will be expected to push the sale. (Chamberlains bow and exeunt). I don't feel at all comfortable. I hope I'm not doing a foolish thing in getting married. After all, it's a poor heart that never rejoices, and this wedding of mine is the first little treat I've allowed myself since my christening. Besides, Caroline's income is very considerable, and as her ideas of economy are quite on a par with mine, it ought to turn out well.
Bless her tough old heart, she's a mean little darling! Oh, here she is, punctual to her appointment!
Enter BARONESS VON KRAKENFELDT.
BAR. Rudolph! Why, what's the matter?
RUD. Why, I'm not
I am afraid, after all, I shall have to take the bull by the horns and have an egg with my breakfast.
BAR. I shouldn't do anything rash, dear. Begin with a jujube. (Gives him one.) RUD. (about to eat it, but changes his mind). I'll keep it for supper. (He sits by her and tries to put his arm round her waist.) BAR. Rudolph, don't! What in the world are you thinking of?
RUD. I was thinking of embracing you, my sugarplum. Just as a little cheap treat.
BAR. What, here? In public? Really, you appear to have no sense of delicacy.
RUD. No sense of delicacy, Bon-bon!
BAR. No. I can't make you out. When you courted me, all your courting was done publicly in the Marketplace. When you proposed to me, you proposed in the Market-place. And now that we're engaged you seem to desire that our first tte- occur in the Marketplace! Surely you've a room in your Palace--with blinds--that would do?
RUD. But, my own, I can't help myself. I'm bound by my own decree.
BAR. Your own decree?
RUD. Yes. You see, all the houses that give on the Market-place belong to me, but the drains (which date back to the reign of Charlemagne) want attending to, and the houses wouldn't let--so, with a view to increasing the value of the property, I decreed that all love-episodes between affectionate couples should take place, in public, on this spot, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, when the band doesn't play.
BAR. Bless me, what a happy idea! So moral too! And have you found it answer?
RUD. Answer? The rents have gone up fifty per cent, and the sale of opera-gla.s.ses (which is a Grand Ducal monopoly) has received an extraordinary stimulus! So, under the circ.u.mstances, would you allow me to put my arm round your waist? As a source of income. Just once!
BAR. But it's so very embarra.s.sing. Think of the opera-gla.s.ses!
RUD. My good girl, that's just what I am thinking of.
Hang it all, we must give them something for their money! What's that?
BAR. (unfolding paper, which contains a large letter, which she hands to him). It's a letter which your detective asked me to hand to you. I wrapped it up in yesterday's paper to keep it clean.
RUD. Oh, it's only his report! That'll keep. But, I say, you've never been and bought a newspaper?
BAR. My dear Rudolph, do you think I'm mad? It came wrapped round my breakfast.
RUD. (relieved). I thought you were not the sort of girl to go and buy a newspaper! Well, as we've got it, we may as well read it. What does it say?
BAR. Why--dear me--here's your biography! "Our Detested Despot!"
RUD. Yes--I fancy that refers to me.
BAR. And it says--Oh, it can't be!
RUD. What can't be?
BAR. Why, it says that although you're going to marry me to-morrow, you were betrothed in infancy to the Princess of Monte Carlo!
RUD. Oh yes--that's quite right. Didn't I mention it?
BAR. Mention it! You never said a word about it!
RUD. Well, it doesn't matter, because, you see, it's practically off.
BAR. Practically off?
RUD. Yes. By the terms of the contract the betrothal is void unless the Princess marries before she is of age. Now, her father, the Prince, is stony-broke, and hasn't left his house for years for fear of arrest. Over and over again he has implored me to come to him to be married-but in vain. Over and over again he has implored me to advance him the money to enable the Princess to come to me--but in vain. I am very young, but not as young as that; and as the Princess comes of age at two tomorrow, why at two to-morrow I'm a free man, so I appointed that hour for our wedding, as I shall like to have as much marriage as I can get for my money.
BAR. I see. Of course, if the married state is a happy state, it's a pity to waste any of it.
RUD. Why, every hour we delayed I should lose a lot of you and you'd lose a lot of me!
BAR. My thoughtful darling! Oh, Rudolph, we ought to be very happy!
RUD. If I'm not, it'll be my first bad investment. Still, there is such a thing as a slump even in Matrimonials.
BAR. I often picture us in the long, cold, dark December evenings, sitting close to each other and singing impa.s.sioned duets to keep us warm, and thinking of all the lovely things we could afford to buy if we chose, and, at the same time, planning out our lives in a spirit of the most rigid and exacting economy!
RUD. It's a most beautiful and touching picture of connubial bliss in its highest and most rarefied development!
DUET--BARONESS and RUDOLPH.
BAR. As o'er our penny roll we sing, It is not reprehensive To think what joys our wealth would bring Were we disposed to do the thing Upon a scale extensive.
There's rich mock-turtle--thick and clear--
RUD. (confidentially). Perhaps we'll have it once a year!
BAR. (delighted). You are an open-handed dear!
RUD. Though, mind you, it's expensive.
BAR. No doubt it is expensive.
BOTH. How fleeting are the glutton's joys!
With fish and fowl he lightly toys,
RUD. And pays for such expensive tricks Sometimes as much as two-and-six!
BAR. As two-and-six?
RUD. As two-and-six--
BOTH. Sometimes as much as two-and-six!
BAR. It gives him no advantage, mind-- For you and he have only dined, And you remain when once it's down A better man by half-a-crown.
RUD. By half-a-crown?
BAR. By half-a-crown.
BOTH. Yes, two-and-six is half-a-crown.
Then let us be modestly merry, And rejoice with a derry down derry.
For to laugh and to sing No extravagance bring-- It's a joy economical, very!
BAR. Although as you're of course aware (I never tried to hide it) I moisten my insipid fare With water--which I can't abear--
RUD. Nor I--I can't abide it.