But do you know for what great invention mankind is indebted to the old Dessauer? PRINCE (_aside_). Do you know that, Hotham? HOTHAM. Damn their cross questioning--say it was gaiters. PRINCE. Your Majesty wishes to know what--what the old Dessauer invented? KING. Yes, what did the old Dessauer invent? SECKENDORF (_aside_). Aha, you see, now we have caught him. PRINCE. It can't be gunpowder, because Count Seckendorf has already discovered that. [_All laugh_.] SECKENDORF (_aside_). Never mind, Grumbkow, I'll wait the fitting moment. KING. He invented _iron ramrods_. Now, you see, my son in Rheinsberg, for all his Homers and Voltaires, and whatever their heathen names may be, that he gathers round him, couldn't think of anything like that. [_Aside_.] Is he drinking, Eversmann? HOTHAM (_to_ PRINCE). Don't let slip your advantage. PRINCE. Who the devil could think of iron ramrods! GRUMBKOW (_rising_). We'll drink a pleasant journey to His Highness, the Prince Hereditary of Baireuth. [_They all rise except the_ KING.] ALL. A pleasant journey. HOTHAM (_aside_). You're done for--you've lost everything. PRINCE (_aside_). It was shameful perfidy! HOTHAM (_aside_). Make him respect you--be as brutal as he is--pretend to be drunk. [_They all sit down after having touched glasses amid laughter_.] PRINCE (_rises, his tankard in his hand. Speaks as if slightly intoxicated_). Gentlemen-- KING (_aside_). I believe he's hipped. PRINCE. And--and--and--I thank you. [_He sits down. They all laugh_.] KING. Bravo, Prince, you are a most excellent speaker. GRUMBKOW. He's done for, Your Majesty: we must have him make a speech now. KING. Yes. Give us a speech, Prince. ALL. A speech--speech! [The PRINCE _rests his head in his hands and does not rise_.] HOTHAM. The question is--what shall he talk about? KING. About anything--whatever he chooses. HOTHAM. I could suggest an interesting subject. KING. Out with it. HOTHAM. What if he were to discuss some member of this merry company? KING. 'Tis done! And that we need waste no time in choice--let him discuss--me. ALL (_startled_). Your Majesty? KING. It's very warm here. [_Opens his coat_.] Let's make ourselves comfortable, Eversmann. Well, Prince--begin. Give us a speech about me. HOTHAM. Please-- KING. No hesitation--let it be as if I had just died-- HOTHAM. Your Majesty-- KING. Quiet! Silence all. The Prince of Baireuth will give us a speech about me. [_Aside_.] _In vino veritas_. I am curious to know whether such a French windbag is composed entirely of falsehoods. HOTHAM (_aside_). This is the decisive moment. PRINCE (_steps forward, he staggers slightly then controls himself_). Merry company! KING. Merry? I'm dead. PRINCE. No matter, they're merry just the same. KING. Gad! is that true? PRINCE. Merry company--cheerful mourners--permit me to interrupt your enjoyment by a few painful remarks on the qualities of the deceased. KING.