The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben).
by Hermann Sudermann.
Note
_The translation of dramatic dialogue is attended with special difficulties, and these are peculiarly marked in translating from German into English. The German sentence carries more ballast than English readers are accustomed to, and while in translating narrative one may, by means of subordinate clauses, follow the conformation of the original, it is hard to do so in rendering conversation, and virtually impossible when the conversation is meant to be spoken on the stage. To English and American spectators the long German speeches are a severe strain on the attention, and even in a translation intended only for the "closet" a too faithful adherence to German construction is not the best way of doing justice to the original._
_Herr Sudermann"s dialogue is more concise than that of many other German dramatists; yet in translation his sentences and speeches need to be divided and recast: to preserve the spirit, the letter must be modified. This is true not only of the construction of his dialogue but also of his forms of expression. Wherever it has been possible, his a.n.a.logies, his allusions, his "tours de phrase," have been scrupulously followed; but where they seemed to obscure his meaning to English readers some adaptation has been necessary. Apart from these trifling changes, the original has been closely followed; and such modifications as have been made were suggested solely by the wish to reproduce Herr Sudermann"s meaning more closely than a literal translation would have allowed._
CHARACTERS
Count Michael von Kellinghausen.
Beata, his wife.
Ellen, their daughter.
Baron Richard von Volkerlingk.
Leonie, his wife.
Norbert, their son, reading for the Bar.
Baron Ludwig von Volkerlingk (_Secretary of State, Richard"s step-brother_).
Prince Usingen.
Baron von Brachtmann.
Herr von Berkelwitz-Grunhof.
Dr. Kahlenberg (_Privy Councillor at the Board of Physicians_).
Holtzmann (_candidate for Holy Orders, private Secretary to Baron Richard von Volkerlingk_).
Meixner.
A Physician.
Conrad, servant at Count Kellinghausen"s.
George, Baron Richard"s servant.
Another Servant.
_The scene is laid in Berlin--the first three and the fifth acts at the house of Count Kellinghausen; the fourth act at Baron Richard Volkerlingk"s._
_Period: about 1899_.
ACT I
THE JOY OF LIVING
ACT I
_A drawing-room in the Empire style in_ Count Kellinghausen"s _house.
In front, on the left, a fireplace; to the left, in the background, a door to the inner apartments; to the right, back, a door into the front pa.s.sage; in the foreground, on the right, a window. In the centre of back wall a wide opening between two columns, partly closed by an old Gobelins tapestry. On the right a sofa, table and chairs. On the left, in front of the fireplace, several low seats. Near the middle, placed diagonally, a writing-table with shelves; beside the table two seats with low backs and a comfortable arm-chair. Old portraits and coloured prints on the walls._
Holtzmann _is seated at the back of the room, a portfolio on his lap_.
Conrad _ushers in_ Baron Ludwig.
Conrad (_in the doorway_).
If your Excellency will kindly come this way--the doctor is with Madame von Kellinghausen.
Baron Ludwig.
Ah? In that case perhaps I had better----
Conrad.
Madame von Kellinghausen will be here in a moment, your Excellency. The other gentleman has already been announced. (_Indicating_ Holtzmann.)
Baron Ludwig.
Very well. (Conrad _goes out_.)
Holtzmann (_rises and makes a deep bow_).
Baron Ludwig.
(_Bowing slightly in return wanders about the room and at last pauses before_ Holtzmann.) I beg your pardon but--surely I know your face.
Holtzmann.
Very likely, your Excellency. My name is Holtzmann, private secretary to Baron Richard von Volkerlingk.
Baron Ludwig.
Indeed? I am so seldom at my brother"s. The fact is--er, well.
Yesterday was election-day at Lengenfeld, by the way. The papers were full of it this morning. It seems to cause a good deal of surprise that Count Kellinghausen should not only have withdrawn in favour of my brother, but should actually have gone about canva.s.sing for him. I daresay that"s an exaggeration, though?
Holtzmann.
On the contrary, your Excellency. The Count has been down in the country electioneering for weeks.
Baron Ludwig.
Really? And you were with him, I suppose?