ACT THREE
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Scene Five
Another part of the country.
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Kunz reaping corn.
Kunz
This is damned hard work! It wouldn't be so bad if I were doing it for myself, but the corvée! Here we are obliged to sweat for the Bugbear and he does not even thank us. — Of course they always say that laws are necessary to keep the people in order, but why our particular Law, who devours us all, should be necessary is quite beyond me.[1]
Enter Hinze running.
Hinze
Now I have blisters on the soles of my feet! — Oh well, who cares? So long as Gottlieb ends up on the throne. — Hey, my good friend!
Kunz
Who on earth is this chap, then?
Hinze
The king will be driving past here presently. If he asks you who all this belongs to, you must reply: the Count of Carabas. Otherwise you will be chopped up into a billion little pieces. The law demands it for the common good.
Fischer
What? For the common good?
Schlosser
Of course, otherwise this play would never end.
Hinze
I presume you hold your life dear!
Exit Hinze.
Kunz
That's just what edicts always sound like. Well, I don't mind having to say that, provided no new taxes result from it. One should always be wary of innovation.
The coach pulls up and stops; The King and The Princess get out.
King
Another beautiful spot. We have already seen lots of really nice spots. — To whom does this land here belong?
Kunz
The Count of Carabas.
King
Upon my word! The count has splendid estates — and so close to mine. My dear, he would be quite a catch for you. What do you think?
Princess
You're embarrassing me, father. — But what new things one sees while traveling! Pray tell me, kind peasant, why are you cutting that straw?
Kunz
laughing
Why, this is the harvest, Mistress Queen. Corn.
King
Corn? — Why, whatever do you need that for?
Kunz
laughing
To bake our bread, of course.
King
For heaven's sake, my dear! — Bread is baked out of that! — Who could ever have come up with such a trick! — Isn't Nature wonderful? Here, my good friend, get yourself a drink, it's hot today.
He gets in again with the Princess; the carriage drives off.
Kunz
Not know what corn is! I guess you learn something new every day. — If he hadn't given me a shiny piece of gold and if he wasn't a king, you'd almost think he was just a simpleminded fellow. — Oh well, I might as well go and get myself a can of good beer now. Not know what corn is!
Exit Kunz.
Notes
edit- ↑ In an earlier scene we were told that the Bugbear's name is Gesetz, which means Law.