Scene II.

The time and place and scene just as before. From left to right there enters on the scene Quite simultaneously a man and woman. Each reads a book while walking, so absorbed That they well-nigh collide with one another. He begs her pardon which, of course, she grants. He asks her if they have not met before, Her face seems so familiar, and she says: Perhaps he saw her somewhere at a lecture. And so they start to talk about their books, About their lectures and about their books. They seat themselves upon a rock and talk, And talk and talk and talk and talk and talk. The insects are abuzzing and the leaves— The foliage of the bushes and the trees Are whispering, are gossiping in whispers. And from behind the softly swaying bushes Escape the sounds of kisses and of sighs, The kisses and the sighs of youthful lovers. And all the time the woman and the man Sit arguing, discussing and discussing Psychology, sociology and ethics. So different it is behind the bushes. And while some hug and kiss and others argue, A sudden gloom spreads over everything. The azure sky is now a sky of ink, The lightning flashes and the thunder claps, The shower is terrific’ly intense. Both couples find an overhanging rock, A scanty shelter ’gainst a raging storm. A blinding lightning flash, a thunder clap, All four lie dead. Is there a moral? Guess!