how dear you hold her. Shall I conduct you to them? WOODCUTTERS (a confused uproar of voices). We want bread-mwore wages-we must live. Down wi' the Duke an' Duchess. Teäke off them taxes. ARNFELD. Softly! So many tongues wagging all at once, are like the clashing of bells in a steeple: a man can distinguish nothing but noise; and who is to know whether they ring for a fire or a festival? How many are there of you? KLAUS There be a dozen on us here. KUNO. An' plenty mwore where we come vrom. ARNFELD. Well, then, since one pair of ears can only listen to one voice at once, a man must needs have four and twenty, to understand you speaking all together. Therefore, say I, appoint one of your number to make known what you want, and I'll help you if I can: the rest be silent. Come, now, who is to be your spokesman ? KLAUS. Meäster Hans Klein, ee be the best spoäksheäver in theäse peärts, leästways he wer, till the tax come on ceärts an' ceärriages, an' sin' then he be out o' work. ARNFELD. So, having all his life taught cart-wheels to go round, you would have him lead a revolution of the common weal! At his birth, methinks, Nature framed a better craftsman than herself; for, in making him, she made indeed a good felloe, but left out the nave. But come, now, jesting apart, who is your leader? Who is to speak for you? Kuno, you have a tongue in your head, as your wife knows, and can use it, can't he, Klaus? KLAUS. Ay, an' a wonderfu' scholard is Kuno; he can read and write. ARNFELD. Well, then, what have you all left your work and come here for? KUNO. We wants bread, and wull ha' it. Stay, you're too fast. ARNFELD. You may loaf in the Duke's garden till Doomsday, but you'll find no bread-trees growing there. Well, what next? KUNO. We wants our weäges mended, we wants 'em riz. ARNFELD. Do you know what wages they give to traitors, that come with weapons against their lawful rulers? KUNO. Ay, the gallus. ARNFELD. Just so, but the gallows are in good repair: therefore, why have them mended? And where's the use of raising what's high enough already? You be larfen' at we. KUNO. ARNFELD. Because I think you're acting foolishly; but I know times are hard. KUNO. Ah! times be heard, an' what's mwore, they be getten heärder. My wold 'ooman, she zays to me, "Kuno," she zays, 66 we mun a' teäk the zweet with the zour;" them's her words. Ees," zays I, "gammer, I knows we mun. Noor I doon't vind noo vault wi' it; but what I vinds vault wi' is this; us worken vo'k gets, as a man may zay, a' the zour and none ov the zweet; and that ain't squeäre-lik." A VOICE. We wants to bring a hamputation to 'is 'ighness. KLAUS. A reputation, he meäns, yer honour. ARNFELD. (Aside) The first is what I feared, the second is no easy matter. (Aloud) Yes, yes, a deputation; well, I'll see if I can get you audience to-day, and we must find out where the shoe pinches; but mind, no violence. Meanwhile get back quietly to work, and here's wherewith to sup to-night in honour of the Princess. Now then, some of you were in the Duke's body-guard till it was disbanded, and can obey orders. Right about face! Quick march! [The men retire, cheering in a desultory manner. Arnfeld ! DUKE (from within). ARNFELD (aside). So far, at least, so good. DUKE. Arnfeld! I say. Thunder and lightning! must I call till doom? ARNFELD (aside). That may be nearer, Highness, than you think. [Exit. Enter KAUZ from the bushes, where he has been listening. KAUZ. All this shall to the Duchess, chamberlain, If not for love of her, for hate of thee. |