Comedy plays; German drama -- Translations into English
LAND.
We landlords are instructed not to take in any stranger, of whatever
rank or sex he may be, for four-and-twenty hours, without delivering,
in writing, his name, place of abode, occupation, object of his
journey, probable stay, and so on, to the proper authorities.
MIN.
Very well.
LAND.
Will your ladyship then be so good...
(going to the table, and making ready to write).
MIN.
Willingly. My name is!!!!!
LAND.
One minute!
(He writes.)
"Date, 22nd August, A. D., &C.; arrived at the King of Spain hotel."
Now your name, my lady.
MIN.
Fraulein von Barnhelm.
LAND. (writes).
"Von Barnhelm." Coming from.... where, your ladyship?
MIN.
From my estate in Saxony.
LAND. (writes).
"Estate in Saxony." Saxony! Indeed, indeed! In Saxony, your ladyship?
Saxony?
FRAN.
Well, why not? I hope it is no sin in this country to come from Saxony!
LAND.
A sin? Heaven forbid! That would be quite a new sin! From Saxony then?
Yes, yes, from Saxony, a delightful country, Saxony! But if I am
right, your ladyship, Saxony is not small, and has several--how shall
I call them? districts, provinces. Our police are very particular,
your ladyship.
MIN.
I understand. From my estate in Thuringia, then.
LAND.
From Thuringia! Yes, that is better, your ladyship; that is more
exact.
(Writes and reads.)
"Fraulein von Barnhelm, coming from her estate in Thuringia, together
with her lady in waiting and two men servants."
FRAN.
Lady in waiting! That means me, I suppose!
LAND.
Yes, my pretty maid.
FRAN.
Well, Mr. Landlord, instead of "lady in waiting," write "maid in
waiting." You say, the police are very exact; it might cause a
misunderstanding, which might give me trouble some day when my banns
are read out. For I really am still unmarried, and my name is
Franziska, with the family name of Willig: Franziska Willig. I also
come from Thuringia. My father was a miller, on one of my lady's
estates. It is called Little Rammsdorf. My brother has the mill now. I
was taken very early to the manor, and educated with my lady. We are
of the same age--one-and-twenty next Candlemas. I learnt everything my
lady learnt. I should like the police to have a full account of me.
LAND.
Quite right, my pretty maid; I will bear that in mind, in case of
future inquiries. But now, your ladyship, your business here?
MIN.
My business here?
LAND.
Have you any business with His Majesty the King?
MIN.
Oh! no.
LAND.
Or at our courts of justice?
MIN.
No.
LAND.
Or!!!!!
MIN.
No, no. I have come here solely on account of my own private affairs.
LAND.
Quite right, your ladyship; but what are those private affairs?
MIN.
They are... Franziska, I think we are undergoing an examination.
FRAN.
Mr. Landlord, the police surely do not ask to know a young lady's
secrets!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account