ACT V
SCENE I
(Same as Act IV. Henrich, alone.)
HENRICH. Well, well, here comes grist to my mill; it's the audience hour. Now, you shall see, good people, if a man who had been twenty years in the service could bear himself better than I.—There's some one knocking. Whom do you wish to see, my good men?
(Enter two Lawyers.)
FIRST LAWYER. We should very much like to have the honor of speaking to the burgomaster.
HENRICH. He is not up yet.
FIRST LAWYER. Not up at four in the afternoon?
HENRICH. Oh, he is up, to be sure, but he has gone out.
FIRST LAWYER. But we just met a man at the door who had been talking to him.
HENRICH. He really is in, but he is not well. (Aside.) These fellows are as stupid as cattle, they don't seem to grasp my meaning.
FIRST LAWYER (aside). I perceive, mon frere, that this fellow wants to be oiled; we must slip a gulden into his fist, and then the burgomaster will come fast enough. Listen, my friend! You will not refuse a couple of gulden to drink our healths with?
HENRICH. Oh, no, my dear sirs, I never take anything as a present.
FIRST LAWYER. What shall we do, then, mon frere? Evidently we must go away until another day.
HENRICH (beckons to them). Hey, gentlemen! you are in too much of a hurry. For your sake I will accept the two guldens; otherwise you might think that I was proud and our house would be ill spoken of in consequence.
FIRST LAWYER. Here, comrade! Here are two guldens, if you will accept them; now be good enough to obtain us an audience.
HENRICH. Your most humble servant. For your sake I shall do all I can. The burgomaster is really as sound as a horse, but still he is not well enough to talk with every one. But seeing that it is you, gentlemen, it is another story. If you will be so good as to wait a moment, gentlemen, I will announce you. But there's some one else knocking. Whom do you want to see, my good man?
(Enter a Man.)
MAN (feeling in his breeches pocket). I should like to have the honor of talking with the burgomaster.
HENRICH (aside). This man knows the ropes: he goes right for his pocket. (Aloud.) Yes, sir, he is at home. You may speak to him immediately.
(Henrich reaches out his hand, but the other instead of money merely pulls out his watch.)
MAN. I see it is already four o'clock.
HENRICH. Who was it you wished to see?
MAN. The burgomaster.
HENRICH. He is not at home, sir.
MAN. You just said that he was at home.
HENRICH. Perhaps I did, sir, but if I did, I made a mistake. (Exit Man. Henrich goes on, aside.) Look at that sharper! Now you shall see if the burgomaster is at your beck and call! (To the lawyers.) I shall announce you immediately. [Exit
FIRST LAWYER. Just see how that rascal knows how to fit into his place already. Keep good countenance, mon frere, it is we who shall start the plaguing of the good tinker. Our comrades will complete the tale. But here he comes.