My wayfellow so counterfeits in person
The likeness of my lord the Duke of Traumberg,
From whom we come, that he in merry sport
Dubbed him his namesake.
Wherefore came ye hither?
To seek some other service, for alas !
The Duke our master hath of late been swayed
By such strange humours of dark melancholy,
That he hath doffed awhile the load of state,
And, to his court a stranger, courts repose.
This letter, by his Highness penned and sealed,
Be warrant for us both. Will't please you read it ?
“To all whom it may concern, greeting.
"Be it known that the bearer of this letter is a trusty and right loyal servant to ourself, the Duke of Traumberg, and that there is no person in all our court whom we love so well. His friend, who accompanies him, is, though less highly esteemed by us, full worthy
of regard and commendation; and both alike are diligent, deserving, and apt for any honourable employment.
I fear I shall not stead you in this business,
Good gentlemen, desire it as I may.
We keep but slender state in Schlafenstein,
And, to be plain without discourtesy,
Our revenues of late have ebbed so low,
That I am well-nigh grounded, nor may risk
To lade my vessel with a larger freight.
Thanks, sire. If I may answer you as plainly,
We come as willing workers, not for hire;
My lord of Traumberg was so liberal
To all his servants, most of all to me,
That we, well stored for many months to come,
Ask but the freedom of your Highness' court,
To do what service may be serviceable.
I take your offer, then. Count Arnfeld, tell me
What offices are vacant.
Save those of major-domo, chamberlain,
Chancellor, page, and privy counsellor,
With what beside I, charlatan in chief
Unto your Highness, have these many years
Made shift, and multiplied myself to fill.
Might I presume so far to make suggestion, Within the forest's heart, some miles to northward Of this your palace, as we journeyed hither,
We passed from hour to hour, with scarce a break,
Such tall tree-columns roofed with verdurous gloom,
That, blinded by the interminable files
Of leafy veterans on their moveless march,
Our eyes grew dizzy, and we marvelled why
Such wealth of timber, such gigantic girths,
Ringed with the watermarks of ages, stood
To whet the boar's tusk, and defy mankind.
There, sire, are pines enow for all the masts
That ever rocked o'er Spanish galleons,
And oaks to rib their armaments, or serve
The sea-beleaguered Hollanders for piles,
To found their ooze-built cities; and all these
Wait but the magic axe to make them gold.
And good Corcilius here to second me,
Backed by a thousand of your stoutest arms,
We should, by traffic with some neighbouring prince,
So underbid the merchants, I doubt not,
As both to flood the coffers of your State,
Enrich the country, strike at discontent,
And make the desert sweet and habitable.
It shall be done. Helene child, go in,
Make ready for our friends—we have too long
Been blind, or dreaming. But I pray you, sirs,
Clip not the market-value; no, no, no;
Labour is cheap in Schlafenstein, but scarce
So plenty as of old-full price, full price!
[HELENE goes slowly up palace steps, but turns
with appealing look to her father as she
hears his closing words.
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