KING.
Yes, what did the old Dessauer invent?
SECKENDORF (_aside_).
Aha, you see, now we have caught him.
PRINCE.
It can"t be gunpowder, because Count Seckendorf has already discovered that. [_All laugh_.]
SECKENDORF (_aside_).
Never mind, Grumbkow, I"ll wait the fitting moment.
KING.
He invented _iron ramrods_. Now, you see, my son in Rheinsberg, for all his Homers and Voltaires, and whatever their heathen names may be, that he gathers round him, couldn"t think of anything like that. [_Aside_.]
Is he drinking, Eversmann?
HOTHAM (_to_ PRINCE).
Don"t let slip your advantage.
PRINCE.
Who the devil could think of iron ramrods!
GRUMBKOW (_rising_).
We"ll drink a pleasant journey to His Highness, the Prince Hereditary of Baireuth. [_They all rise except the_ KING.]
ALL.
A pleasant journey.
HOTHAM (_aside_).
You"re done for--you"ve lost everything.
PRINCE (_aside_).
It was shameful perfidy!
HOTHAM (_aside_).
Make him respect you--be as brutal as he is--pretend to be drunk. [_They all sit down after having touched gla.s.ses amid laughter_.]
PRINCE (_rises, his tankard in his hand. Speaks as if slightly intoxicated_).
Gentlemen--
KING (_aside_).
I believe he"s hipped.
PRINCE.
And--and--and--I thank you. [_He sits down. They all laugh_.]
KING.
Bravo, Prince, you are a most excellent speaker.
GRUMBKOW.
He"s done for, Your Majesty: we must have him make a speech now.
KING.
Yes. Give us a speech, Prince.
ALL.
A speech--speech!
[The PRINCE _rests his head in his hands and does not rise_.]
HOTHAM.
The question is--what shall he talk about?
KING.
About anything--whatever he chooses.
HOTHAM.
I could suggest an interesting subject.
KING.
Out with it.
HOTHAM.
What if he were to discuss some member of this merry company?
KING.