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<![CDATA[entlemen. Good-day.
[FORESTI _and the_ OFFICERS _go out._]
THE DUKE.
[_To_ SEDLINZKY, _taking a letter out of his pocket, and
tossing it toward him._]
Dear Count, here is another you've not read.
[SEDLINZKY _and the_ DOCTOR _go out._]
DIETRICHSTEIN.
[_Who came in a moment ago._]
I think you treat him rather harshly, Highness.
THE ARCHDUCHESS.
Is not the Duke at perfect liberty?
DIETRICHSTEIN.
Of course the Duke is not a prisoner, but--
THE DUKE.
I like that "but," I hope you feel its value!
Good Lord, I'm not a prisoner, "but"--that's all!
"But"--not a prisoner, "but"--that is the word,
The formula! A prisoner? Oh, not a moment!
"But" there are always people at my heels.
A prisoner? Not I! You know I'm not;
"But" if I risk a stroll across the park
A hidden eye blossoms behind each leaf.
Of course not prisoner, "but" let anyone
Seek private speech with me, beneath each hedge
Up springs the mushroom ear. I'm truly not
A prisoner, "but" when I ride, I feel
The delicate attention of an escort.
I'm not the least bit in the world a prisoner,
"But" I'm the second to unseal my letters.
Not at all prisoner, "but" at night they post
A lackey at my door--look! there he goes.
I, Duke of Reichstadt, prisoner? Never! never!
I, prisoner? No! I'm not a prisoner--"but"--!
DIETRICHSTEIN.
I love to see this mirth--so rare--
THE DUKE.
Yes, devilish!
DIETRICHSTEIN.
[_Taking his leave._]
Your Highness--
THE DUKE.
Serenissimus!
DIETRICHSTEIN.
Eh!
THE DUKE.
--issimus!
That is my title. My particular title
Kindly remember it another time!
DIETRICHSTEIN.
[_Bowing._]
I leave you--
[_He goes._]
THE DUKE.
[_To the_ ARCHDUCHESS.]
Serenissimus! how glorious!
[_Pointing to the album._]
What's that?
THE ARCHDUCHESS.
The Emperor's herbarium.
THE DUKE.
Lord!
Grandpapa's botany!
THE ARCHDUCHESS.
He lent it me
This morning, Franz.
THE DUKE.
[_Examining it._]
It's pretty.
THE ARCHDUCHESS.
You know Latin,
What is this withered black thing?
THE DUKE.
That's a rose.
THE ARCHDUCHESS.
Franz, there's been somet]]>
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