n
publisher writes me every day: All that's needed is for you to die. Why
then in the world don't you?

GERARDO. All I can reply to you is this: that since Wagner's death
there hasn't been a call for new operas anywhere. If you offer new
music, you have all conservatories, all singers and the whole public
against you from the start. If you want to see your works performed,
write a music which does not differ the least from what is in vogue
today; just copy; steal your opera in bits and scraps from the whole of
Wagner's operas. Then you may count with considerable probability on
having it accepted. My tremendous hit last night should prove to you
that the old music is all that's needed for years to come. And my
opinion is that of every other singer, of every manager and of the
whole paying public. Why should I go out of my way to have a new music
whipped into me when the old music has already cost me such inhuman
whippings?

DUeHRING (offers him his trembling hand). I am sorry but I fear I'm too
old to learn to steal. That's the kind of thing one has to begin young
or one will never learn.

GERARDO. I hope I haven't offended you, Sir.--But, my dear Sir,--if you
would permit me--the thought that life means a hard struggle to
you--(speaking very rapidly) it so happens that I have received five
hundred marks more than I ...

DUeHRING (looks at GERARDO with his eyes wide open, then suddenly starts
for the door). Please, please, I beg of you, no! Don't finish what you
meant to say. No, no, no! That is not what I came for. You know what a
great sage has said:--They are all of them good-natured, but ...!--No,
Mr. Gerardo, I did not ask you to listen to my opera in order to
practise extortion on you. I love my child too much for that. No
indeed, Mr. Gerardo ...

[Exit through the centre door.]

GERARDO (escorting him to the door). Oh please. Sir.--Happy to have
known you, Sir.

SCENE VIII

GERARDO (alone, comes forward, sinks into an armchair, with basket
of champagne in front of him, looks at the bottles). For whom am I
raking together so much money?--For my children I Yes, if I had any
children!--For my old age?--Two more years will make a wreck of
me!--Then it will be:

"Alas, alas,
The hobby is forgotten!"

SCENE IX

GERARDO, HELEN MAROWA, later the valet.

HELEN