e necessary to keep the
people in order, but what need there is here of _our Law_ who devours
all of us, I cannot understand.

[HINZE _comes running_.]

HINZE.

Now I have blisters-on my soles already--well, it doesn't
matter, Gottlieb, Gottlieb must get the throne for it. Hey, good
friend!

KUNZ.

Who's _this_ fellow?

HINZE.

The king will drive by here directly. If he asks you to whom
all this belongs, you must answer--to the Count of Carabas; otherwise
you will be chopped into a thousand million pieces. For the welfare of
the public, the law desires it thus.

FISCHER.

For the welfare of the public?

SCHLOSS.

Naturally, for otherwise the play would never end.

HINZE.

Your life is probably dear to you.

[_Exit._]

KUNZ.

That's just how the edicts always sound. Well, I don't mind
saying that, if only no new taxes result from it. One must trust no
innovation.

[_The coach drives up and stops; the_ KING _and the_ PRINCESS _step
out._]

KING.

A fine landscape, too. We have already seen a great deal of
very fine country. To whom does this land belong?

KUNZ.

To the Count of Carabas.

KING.

He has splendid estates, that must be true--and so near mine;
daughter, that seems to be a good match for you. What is your opinion?

PRINCESS.

You embarrass me, my father. What new things one sees while
traveling, though. Do tell me, pray, good peasant, why do you cut down
the straw like that?

KUNZ (_laughing_).

Why, this is the harvest, Mam'selle Queen--the
corn.

KING.

Corn? What do you use that for, pray?

KUNZ (_laughing_).

Bread is baked from that.

KING.

Pray, daughter, for heaven's sake, bread is baked of it! Who would
ever think of such tricks! Nature is something marvelous, after all.
Here, good friend, get a drink, it is warm today. (_He steps in again
with the_ PRINCESS; _the carriage drives away._)

KUNZ.

If he wasn't a king, you'd almost think he was stupid. Doesn't know
what corn is! Well, you learn new things every day, of course. Here he
has given me a shining piece of gold and I'll fetch myself a can of
good beer at once. [_Exit._]

_Another part of the country, beside a river_

GOTTLIEB.

Now here I've been standing two hours already, waiting for my friend,
Hinze. And he's not coming yet. There he is! But how he's running--he
seems all out of breath.