Roses: Four One-Act Plays: Streaks of Light—The Last Visit—Margot—The Far-away PrincessSudermann, Hermann
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Roses: Four One-Act Plays: Streaks of Light—The Last Visit—Margot—The Far-away Princess
Sudermann, Hermann
German drama -- Translations into English
The Princess.
And they know that, too?
Struebel.
What don't they know?--But that's a mere detail--it doesn't concern
me. Even the fact that in six months she will become the bride of a
grand-duke--even that can make no difference to me. For the present she
is _my_ princess.--But you're not listening to me!
The Princess.
Oh, yes I am!
Struebel.
Do you know what that means--_my_ princess? I'll not give up _my_
princess--not for anything in all the world!
The Princess.
But--if you don't even know her----?
Struebel.
I don't know her? Why, I know her as well as I know myself!
The Princess.
Have you ever met her, then?
Struebel.
I don't know of any one who has ever met her. And there's not a soul
that can tell what she looks like. It is said that there were pictures
of her in the shop-windows when she first came, but they were removed
immediately. In the morning a great many people are always lurking
around the Springs trying to catch a glimpse of her. I myself have
gotten up at six o'clock a couple of times--on the same errand--and if
you knew me better, you'd realise what that meant. But not a sign of
her! Either she has the stuff brought to her house, or she has the
power of making herself invisible. (The Princess _turns aside to
conceal a smile._) After that, I used to hang around her garden--every
day, for hours at a time. Until one day the policeman, whom the
managers of the Springs have stationed at the gates, came up to me and
asked me what on earth I was doing there. Well, that was the end of
those methods of approach! Suddenly, however, a happy thought struck
me. Now I can see her, and have her near to me as often as I wish.
The Princess.
Why, that's very interesting. How?
Struebel.
Yes, that's just the point. H'm, should I risk it? Should I take you
into my confidence?
The Princess.
You promised me some time ago that you would show her to me.
Struebel.
Wait a second. (_Looks through the telescope._) There she is. Please
look for yourself.
The Princess.
But I am-- (_She, too, looks through the telescope._) Actually, there
is the garden as plain as if one were in it.
Struebel.
And at the corner window on the left--with the embroidery-frame--that's
she.
The Princess.
Are you absolutely certain that that is the princess?
Struebel.
Why, who else could it be?
The Princess.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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