Volume 7 / Act 4 — SCENE V
Reading edition
_A plain low-ceilinged room in the palace. The walls are gray. The main entrance is in the centre. One door at the left, a small window at the right.
Lackeys carry in an oaken table and place a number of wooden stools around it. Then they bring tankards on wooden platters and set them in a circle on the table. A brazier with live coals is also brought in. The lackeys go out.
The_ KING comes from the door on the left in easy, undress house uniform. He has a short Dutch pipe in his mouth, he shuts the door carefully behind him.
KING.
Are they gathering already
EVERSMANN.
There's noise enough outside there.
KING.
My only recreation! While I may keep this little diversion, I am willing to bear the burdens and cares of government. Are the clay cannons loaded?
EVERSMANN.
Aye—and some are fuming already outside there.
KING.
Is the beer right fresh? And a little bitter, eh?
EVERSMANN.
It might be better.
KING.
Those Bernau brewers had best have a care—I may pay an unexpected visit to their brewery. How about the white smock I ordered?
EVERSMANN.
Ready, at hand.
KING.
When the meeting is over—you know what I have planned
EVERSMANN.
Everything is ready for Your Majesty.
KING.
You may go now. The door is to be opened at the stroke of ten.
EVERSMANN.
Yes, Your Majesty. [He goes out.]
[The KING walks to the window, remaining there for a few moments. There is a pause.]
KING.
Light in my wife's apartments again! Three rooms illuminated where one would have been enough—and tallow so expensive now. A dozen women have been invited there tonight, and a great conspiracy is going forward, with the Prince of Wales received incognito—all to defy me. But wait a bit—I'll be with you. This day has begun weightily and shall end weightily.