DUKE. What is it? Is the playing still going on here, while outside ... but don't you know what manner of things are taking place outside? I have seen Delaunay's head carried past on a pole. Nay, why do you look at me like that? (Steps down.) Henri-- FRANCOIS. Guard yourself from Henri. [Henri rushes like a madman on the Duke and plunges a dagger into his neck.] COMMISSAIRE (stands up). This goes too far! ALL. He bleeds. ROLLIN. A murder has been done here. SEVERINE. The Duke is dying. MARQUIS. I am distracted, dear Severine, to think that today of all days I should have brought you to this place. SEVERINE. Why not? (In a strained tone.) It is a wonderful success. One does not see a real duke really murdered every day. ROLLIN. I cannot grasp it yet. COMMISSAIRE. Silence! Let no one leave the place! GRASSET. What does he want? [Illustration: GEORG BRANDES] _Permission Albert Langen, Munich_ From Olaf Gulbransson's "Famous Contemporaries" COMMISSAIRE. I arrest this man in the name of the law. GRASSET (laughs). It is we who make the laws, you blockheads! Out with the rabble! He who kills a duke is a friend of the people. Vive la Liberte! ALBIN (draws his sword). Make way! Follow me, my friends! [Leocadie rushes in over the steps.] VOICES. His wife! LEOCADIE. Let me in here. I want my husband! (She comes to the front, sees, and shrieks out.) Who has done this? Henri! [HENRI looks at her.] LEOCADIE. Why have you done this? HENRI. Why? LEOCADIE. I know why. Because of me. Nay, nay, say not 'twas because of me. Never in all my life have I been worth that. GRASSET (begins a speech). Citizens of Paris, we will celebrate our victory. Chance has led us on our way through the streets of Paris to this amiable host. It could not have fitted in more prettily. Nowhere can the cry "Vive la Liberte!" ring sweeter than over the corpse of a duke. VOICES. Vive la Liberte! Vive la Liberte! FRANCOIS. I think we might go. The people have gone mad. Let us go. ALBIN. Shall we leave the corpse here? SEVERINE. Vive la Liberte! Vive la Liberte! MARQUIS. Are you mad? CITIZENS _and_ ACTORS. Vive la Liberte! Vive la Liberte! SEVERINE (leading the nobles to the exit). Rollin, wait you tonight outside my window. I will throw the key down like t'other night. We will pass a pretty hour--I feel quite pleasurably excited. SHOUTS. Vive la Liberte! Vive Henri! Vive Henri! LEBRET. Look at the fellows--they are running away from us. GRASSET. Let them for tonight--let them; they will not escape us. LITERATURE A COMEDY IN ONE ACT * * * * * CHARACTERS MARGARET CLEMENT GILBERT LITERATURE (1902) BY ARTHUR SCHNITZLER TRANSLATED BY A. I. DU P. COLEMAN, A.M. Professor of English Literature, College of the City of New York