eaves death-sentences are shed,
Good Emperor Franz is like these specimens.

[_He closes the herbarium._]

However, he's beloved, he's popular,
I love him well.

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

How he could help your cause!

THE DUKE.

Ah! if he would!

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

Promise you'll never fly
Until you've tried your utmost with him.

THE DUKE.

Yes,
I promise that.

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

And I'll reward you now.

THE DUKE.

You?

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

Oh, one has one's little influence!
The astounding Prokesch they deprived you of--
I said and did so much--in short, he's here.

[_She strikes the ground with her parasol. The
door opens and_ PROKESCH _enters. The_ DUKE
_rushes to him. The_ ARCHDUCHESS _goes out
quickly._]

THE DUKE.

At last!

PROKESCH.

They may be listening.

THE DUKE.

Oh, they are!
They never tell, though.

PROKESCH.

What?

THE DUKE.

I've tested them.
Uttered the most seditious sentiments;
They've never been repeated. Never.

PROKESCH.

Strange!

THE DUKE.

I think the listener, paid by the police,
Pockets the cash and stops his friendly ears.

PROKESCH.

The Countess Camerata? Any news?

THE DUKE.

Nothing.

PROKESCH.

Oh!

THE DUKE.

Nothing. She's forgotten me;
Or else she's been discovered--or, perhaps--
What folly not to have fled last year! And yet
'Twas better; now I'm readier, but--forgotten.

PROKESCH.

Oh, hush! Your work-room? Charming.

THE DUKE.

It's Chinese.
The hideous gilded birds! The nightmare faces
Sneering with scorpion-smiles from every corner!
They lodge me in the famous lacquered chamber
So that my uniform may seem more white
Against the blackness of its glowing walls!

PROKESCH.

Prince!

THE DUKE.

They've surrounded me with fools and knaves.

PROKESCH.

What have you done these last six months?

THE DUKE.

I've raged!

PROKESCH.

I'd never seen this Schoenbrunn.

THE DUKE.

It's a tomb.

PROKESCH.

The Gloriette looks well against the sky.

THE DUKE.

Yes, while my heart is hungering for g