philosophers, makes man good; whereas melancholy,
on the other hand, is to be considered a vice for the very reason that
it encourages all the vices. Whose duty is it, I now ask, in whose
power does it so lie, to preserve the good spirits of the monarch, so
much as in the hands of a cook? Are not rabbits very innocent animals?
My favorite dish--by means of these animals I could succeed in never
becoming tired of making my country happy--and these rabbits he lets
me do without! Sucking pigs and sucking pigs daily. Rascal, I am
disgusted with this at last!

COOK.

Let not my king condemn me unheard. Heaven is my witness, that I
took all pains to secure those pretty white animals; I even wanted to
purchase them at a rather high price, but there are absolutely none to
be had. If it were possible to get possession of even one of these
rabbits, do you think you would be allowed to doubt for one moment
longer the love your subjects bear you?

KING.

Stop with those roguish words, betake yourself to the kitchen
and show by your action that you love your king. (_Exit cook._) Now I
turn to you, my prince, and to you my daughter. I have been informed,
worthy prince, that my daughter does not love you; she is a
thoughtless, silly girl, but I still give her credit for so much
common sense as probably to have several reasons. She causes me care
and sadness, grief and worry, and my old eyes are flooded with tears
when I think of how she will get along after my death. "You will be
left an old maid," I have told her a thousand times; "take your chance
while it is offered you;" but she will not hear; well, then she'll
have to be made to feel.

PRINCESS.

My father--

KING (_weeping and sobbing_).

Go, ungrateful, disobedient girl--by
your refusal you are drawing me into--alas, only too early a grave!
(_He supports himself on the throne, covers his face with his cloak
and weeps bitterly._)

FISCHER.

Why, the king does not remain true to his character for a
moment.

[_Groom of the Chamber comes in._]

GROOM.

Your majesty, a strange man is outside and begs to be admitted
before your majesty.

KING (_sobbing_).

Who is it?

GROOM.

I beg pardon, my king, for not being able to answer this
question. Judging by his long white beard, one should say he is an old
man, and his face completely covered with hair should almost confirm
one in this opinion, but then again he has such bright, youthful ey