COURTIER.
His majesty suffers much.
[Violent stamping and whistling in the pit; they cough, they hiss; those in the gallery laugh; the king gets up, arranges his cloak and sits down majestically with his sceptre. It is all in vain; the noise continues to increase, all the actors forget their parts, a terrible pause on the stage. HINZE has climbed up a pillar. The author appears on the stage, overcome.]
AUTHOR.
Gentlemen—most honorable public—just a few words!
IN THE PIT.
Quiet! Quiet! The fool wishes to speak!
AUTHOR.
For the sake of heaven, do not disgrace me thus; why, the act will be over directly. Just look, the king, too, is again calmed; take an example from this great soul which certainly has more reason to be vexed than you.