The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries - LightNovelsOnl.com
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WIESENER.
Well, then I won't be the last, either. (_He stamps_.)
VOICES.
Be quiet, or you can't hear the music. (_All are stamping_.)
SCHLOSS.
But, I say, we really ought to let them go through the play, for, after all, we've given our money anyhow; afterward we'll pound so they'll hear us out doors.
ALL.
No, they'll now--taste--rules--art--otherwise everything will go to ruin.
A CANDLE-SNUFFER.
Gentlemen, shall the police be sent in?
LEUTNER.
We have paid, we represent the public, and therefore we will have our own good taste and no farces.
THE PLAYWRIGHT (_behind the scenes_).
The play will begin immediately.
MuLLER.
No play--we want no play--we want good taste--
ALL.
Good taste! good taste!
PLAYWR.
I am puzzled--what do you mean, if I may ask?
SCHLOSS.
Good taste! Are you an author and don't even know what good taste means?
PLAYWR.
Consider a young beginner--
SCHLOSS.
We want to know nothing about beginners--we want to see a decent play-a play in good taste!
PLAYWR.
What sort? What kind?
MuLLER.
Domestic stories--elopements--brothers and sisters from the country--something like that.
[_The Author comes out from behind the curtain_.]
PLAYWR.
Gentlemen--
ALL.
Is that the author?
FISCHER.
He doesn't look much like an author.
SCHLOSS.
Impertinent fellow!
MuLLER.
His hair isn't even trimmed.
PLAYWR.
Gentlemen-pardon my boldness.
FISCHER.
How can you write such plays? Why haven't you trained yourself?
PLAYWR.
Grant me just one minute's audience before you condemn me. I know that the honorable public must pa.s.s judgment on the author, and that from them there is no appeal, but I know the justice of an honorable public, and I am a.s.sured they will not frighten me away from a course in which I so need their indulgent guidance.
FISCHER.
He doesn't talk badly.
MuLLER.
