“Your Majesty is too generous,” said the old Cantor. “It does not require much musical ability to show off a piano. I pray you for some more important task than that.”
“Well, well, if you call that of no importance we must try something else. Will you take a theme and construct a fugue and variations upon it?”
“Gladly, Your Majesty, and if you are willing I will use the piano in Your Majesty’s workroom. It is the best of all the instruments.”
“I think so, too. Come in, gentlemen.”
All entered the apartment, eager with expectation, and grouped themselves around the piano. “Now, select a theme, dear Bach, and give us a three-part fugue, if it be not asking too much.”
The old master smiled quietly. “Will not Your Majesty have the goodness to give me the theme?”
“What? I? And you will extemporize a fugue and variations at the same time?”
“If it so please Your Majesty, I will undertake it with God’s help.”
“Well, I must say—but you shall have your way.”
The King went to the piano, stood a moment in thought, and then gracefully and elegantly played this charming theme: