Chapter 20
LUD. I quake with fear!
(NOTARY offers card to LUDWIG.)
LUD. First draw to you!
RUD. If that's the case, Behold the King! (Drawing card from his sleeve.)
LUD. (same business). Behold the Ace!
CHORUS. Hurrah, hurrah! Our Ludwig's won And wicked Rudolph's course is run-- So Ludwig will as Grand Duke reign Till Rudolph comes to life again--
RUD. Which will occur to-morrow!
I come to life to-morrow!
GRET. (with mocking curtsey).
My Lord Grand Duke, farewell!
A pleasant journey, very, To your convenient cell In yonder cemetery!
LISA (curtseying).
Though malcontents abuse you, We're much distressed to lose you!
You were, when you were living, So liberal, so forgiving!
BERTHA. So merciful, so gentle!
So highly ormamental!
OLGA. And now that you've departed, You leave us broken-hearted!
ALL (pretending to weep). Yes, truly, truly, truly, truly-- Truly broken-hearted!
Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! (Mocking him.)
RUD. (furious). Rapscallions, in penitential fires, You'll rue the ribaldry that from you falls!
To-morrow afternoon the law expires.
And then--look out for squalls!
[Exit RUDOLPH, amid general ridicule.
CHORUS. Give thanks, give thanks to wayward fate-- By mystic fortune's sway, Our Ludwig guides the helm of State For one delightful day!
(To LUDWIG.) We hail you, sir!
We greet you, sir!
Regale you, sir!
We treat you, sir!
Our ruler be By fate's decree For one delightful day!
NOT. You've done it neatly! Pity that your powers Are limited to four-and-twenty hours!
LUD. No matter, though the time will quickly run, In hours twenty-four much may be done!
SONG--LUDWIG.
Oh, a Monarch who boasts intellectual graces Can do, if he likes, a good deal in a day-- He can put all his friends in conspicuous places, With plenty to eat and with nothing to pay!
You'll tell me, no doubt, with unpleasant grimaces, To-morrow, deprived of your ribbons and laces,
(Dancing.) I've something to say--I've something to say--I've something to say!
Oh, our rule shall be merry--I'm not an ascetic-- And while the sun s.h.i.+nes we will get up our hay-- By a pus.h.i.+ng young Monarch, of turn energetic, A very great deal may be done in a day!
CHORUS. Oh, his rule will be merry, etc.
(During this, LUDWIG whispers to NOTARY, who writes.)
For instance, this measure (his ancestor drew it), (alluding to NOTARY) This law against duels--to-morrow will die-- The Duke will revive, and you'll certainly rue it-- He'll give you "what for" and he'll let you know why!
But in twenty-four hours there's time to renew it-- With a century's life I've the right to imbue it-- It's easy to do--and, by Jingo, I'll do it!
(Signing paper, which NOTARY presents.)
It's done! Till I perish your Monarch am I!
Your Monarch am I--your Monarch am I--your Monarch am I!
Though I do not pretend to be very prophetic, I fancy I know what you're going to say-- By a pus.h.i.+ng young Monarch, of turn energetic, A very great deal may be done in a day!
ALL (astonished).
Oh, it's simply uncanny, his power prophetic-- It's perfectly right--we were going to say, By a pus.h.i.+ng, etc.
Enter JULIA, at back.
LUD. (recit.). This very afternoon--at two (about)-- The Court appointments will be given out.
To each and all (for that was the condition) According to professional position!
ALL. Hurrah!
JULIA (coming forward). According to professional position?
LUD. According to professional position!
JULIA Then, horror!
ALL. Why, what's the matter? What's the matter? What's the matter?
SONG--JULIA. (LISA clinging to her.) Ah, pity me, my comrades true, Who love, as well I know you do, This gentle child, To me so fondly dear!
ALL. Why, what's the matter?
JULIA Our sister love so true and deep From many an eye unused to weep Hath oft beguiled The coy reluctant tear!
ALL. Why, what's the matter?
JULIA Each sympathetic heart 'twill bruise When you have heard the frightful news (O will it not?) That I must now impart!
ALL. Why, what's the matter?
JULIA. Her love for him is all in all!
Ah, cursed fate! that it should fall Unto my lot To break my darling's heart!