ything.

JACKPUD.

My dear German countrymen--

SCHLOSS.

I believe the setting of the play is in Asia.

JACKPUD.

But now, you see, I am talking to you merely as an actor to
the spectators.

SCHLOSS.

People, it's all over with me now; I am crazy.

JACKPUD.

Do be pleased to hear that the former scene, which you just
saw, is not part of the play at all.

FISCHER.

Not part of the play? Then how does it get in there?

JACKPUD.

The curtain was raised too soon. It was a private discussion
which would not have taken place on the stage at all if it were not so
horribly crowded behind the scenes. Now if you were deceived, it is of
course so much the worse; then just be kind enough to eradicate this
delusion again; for from now on, do you understand me, only after I
have gone away, will the act really begin. Between you and me, all the
preceding has nothing to do with it at all. But you are to be
compensated; much is coming soon which is very essential to the plot.
I have spoken to the playwright myself and he has assured me of it.

FISCHER.

Yes, your playwright is just the fellow.

JACKPUD.

He's good for nothing, isn't it so? Well, I am glad after
all, that there is still some one else who has the same taste as I--

THE PIT.

All of us, all of us!

JACKPUD.

Your obedient servant; it is too great an honor by far. Yes,
God knows, he is a wretched writer--only to give a bad example; what a
miserable part he has given me! Where, pray, am I witty and funny? I
appear in so few scenes, and I believe, if I hadn't stepped forward
even now, by a lucky chance, I should not have appeared again at all.

PLAYWRIGHT (_rushing forward_).

Impudent fellow--

JACKPUD.

Look, he is even jealous of the small part I am playing now.

PLAYWRIGHT (_on the other side of the stage with a bow_).

Worthy
friends! I never should have dared to give this man a more important
part since I know your taste--

JACKPUDDING (_on the other side_).

_Your_ taste? Now you see his
jealousy--and they have all just declared that my taste is the same as
theirs.

PLAYWR.

I wished, by means of the present play, only to prepare you
for even more extravagant products of the imagination.

ALL IN THE PIT.

How? What?

JACKPUD.

Of course for plays in which I would have no part to act at
all.

PLAYWR.

For the development of this matter must advance step by step.

JACKPUD.

Don't believe a word he says!