That is what I say. There is nothing above being a spectator. It is the highest thing one can be. PIERROT. Ay, that it is. Are we not more than all the emperors and princes that are but acted? SCARAMUCCIO. Thunder and lightning! Where, in the hangman’s name, is my Parnassus? GRÜNHELM. I will go and get it. (_Exit._) WAGEMANN. Now all is in order. Adieu, Sir Scaramuccio. SCARAMUCCIO. Your humble servant. Beg you to express my respects to Madam, your wife. (_The manager exit. Three attendants enter, carrying the Parnassus._) Put it down here,--a trifle further to this side, so that I can hear the prompter. (_He climbs up and takes a seat._) A pleasant mount this. What revenues does it yield? Can any one tell me? Send for the treasurer. (_Enter the Treasurer._) SCARAMUCCIO. What does the mount bring me annually? TREASURER. Under your predecessor, the only profits derived were those from the Castalian Spring. SCARAMUCCIO. What sort of a spring? Was it a mineral spring; a sulphur spring, perhaps? Was there much demand for the waters? What was the price per bottle? TREASURER. What little there was wanted was given away. Few people liked the water. Your predecessor, the other Apollo, was fond of it. SCARAMUCCIO. I hope there are no mortgages on the mount? TREASURER. No, your majesty. SCARAMUCCIO. Is it insured? TREASURER. Oh, yes. SCARAMUCCIO. There is some security in that. I shall have a brewery and a bakery put up at the foot. The common pastures must be otherwise disposed of; Pegasus and the other beasts that belong to me must henceforth be fed in the stable. TREASURER. It shall be as you say. SCARAMUCCIO. Have the spectators paid for the play? TREASURER. Yes, your excellency. SCARAMUCCIO. I hereby decree that there shall be no complimentary tickets in future. TREASURER. These are innovations not at all in accordance with the institutions of Greece. SCARAMUCCIO. Hang Greece! Thank goodness we live in better times. This is an age of enlightenment, and I reign supreme. Send for the Muses. (_Exit the Treasurer._) (_Enter the nine Muses, bowing profoundly._) SCARAMUCCIO (_lightly nodding to them_). Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mademoiselles. Hope we shall get on finely together. Henceforth you shall be my tenants on the Parnassus. Should you ever desire to change your residence, quarterly notice is required. What is your name, fair child? MELPOMENE. I am Melpomene. SCARAMUCCIO. You look so woe-begone. MELPOMENE. Oh, Herr Apollo! I am of a very good family. My father had a high position at court, and the thane gave me a matchless education. Ah, how happy I was in my parents’ house, and what a dutiful daughter did I strive to be! I also had a lover, but he jilted me, and my parents died of grief. Our family physician, a worthy man, took an interest in me; but he was too poor to marry me, so there was nothing for it but to join the Muses. Have I no right to be sad? SCARAMUCCIO.