How happy I am!
GOTTLIEB.
I, likewise. But, my king, I would desire to reward my servant.
KING.
By all means; I herewith raise him to the nobility. (He hangs an order about the cat's neck.) What is his actual name?
GOTTLIEB.
Hinze. By birth he is of but a lowly family—but his merits exalt him.
LEANDER (quickly stepping forward).
After the King I rode with due submission,
And now implore his Majesty's permission
To close with laudatory lines poetic
This play so very wondrous and prophetic.
In praise of cats my grateful anthem soars—
The noblest of those creatures on all fours
Who daily bring contentment to our doors.
In Egypt cats were gods, and very nice is
The Tom-cat who was cousin to Great Isis.
They still protect our cellar, attic, kitchen,
And serve the man who this world's goods is rich in.
Our homes had household gods of yore to grace them.
If cats be gods, then with the Lares place them!
[Drumming. The curtain falls.]