Here. Master Leander, is my essay. I have entitled it Thoughts at
Night.
LEANDER (reads).
Excellent! Inspired! Ah! I feel as though I hear the hour of midnight striking. When did you write it?
PRINCESS.
Yesterday noon, after dinner.
LEANDER.
Beautifully conceived! Truly, beautifully conceived! But with your most gracious permission! The moon shines sadly down in the world. If you will not take it amiss, it should read: into the world.
PRINCESS.
Very well, I will note that for the future; it's too stupid that poetry should be made so hard for us; one can't write five or six lines without making a mistake.