Morituri: Three One-Act Plays: Teja—Fritzchen—The Eternal MasculineSudermann, Hermann
General
Morituri: Three One-Act Plays: Teja—Fritzchen—The Eternal Masculine
Sudermann, Hermann
German drama -- Translations into English
So, now give to me! Ah, that is good to the taste! Is it not good to
the taste? But ah, thou also must eat.
Balthilda.
I fear there is not enough for thee.
Teja.
Nay, that is against the agreement.... So.... Is it not good to the
taste?
Balthilda.
To me nothing hath ever tasted half so sweet.
Teja.
Pray come nearer to me ... I will take the crumbs from thy lap ...
So--why is it that suddenly I am hungry? See, now we celebrate our
marriage feast.
Balthilda.
And better than those without, with meat and wine--do we not?
Teja.
Well, did I not tell thee?... But thou hast a bad seat!
Balthilda.
Nay, I am seated well!
Teja.
Come, stand up! Pray, stand up!
Balthilda (_rising_).
Well?
Teja.
Sit there, just above!
Balthilda (_terrified_).
Upon the throne--for God's sake--how dare I----?
Teja.
Art thou not then the Queen?
Balthilda (_decidedly_).
If I must sit there in earnest! But in jest--nay!
Teja.
Ah, the stupid bit of wood! (_He hurls down the throne_.) At least it
should be of use for something!... So now lean against it!
Balthilda.
Beloved, doest thou justly?
Teja (_surprised_).
Nay! (_He sets the throne up again, leads her to her former place,
and places her head against the seat_.) There indeed thou art well
seated--yea!... And we trespass not against this trash. If the Bishop
had seen that--he, ha, ha, ha! Wait, I will eat again!
Balthilda.
There, take!
Teja.
Still--remain quite still! I shall fetch it for myself. (_He kneels
upon the podium beside her_.) Now I am quite upon my knees before
thee.... What is there that we do not learn!... Thou art beautiful!...
I never knew my mother!
Balthilda.
Never knew!
Teja.
Never had a sister.... No one.... Never played in my life.... That I am
surely learning last not least.
Balthilda.
Why last not least?
Teja.
Ask not--nay? Ah thou, thou! Ha, ha, ha! Pray eat! Bite from mine--yea?
Obediently--thou knowest what the Bishop said?
Balthilda (_bites and then springs up_).
But wilt thou not also drink?
Teja.
Ah, surely! Bring me only the milk jar! Bring me only the milk jar....
Thou knowest the one that Ildibad told us of.
Balthilda (_who has walked across_).
Is this the one?
Teja (_rising_).
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