KING.
No, let us rather drink, after such a day of annoyance and sorrow—let us rather drink to cheer, jollity, and a happy turn of wit!
[They touch glasses with one another. EVERMANN moves about, serving the guests, passing coal for the pipes, and so forth.]
KING (aside).
Grumbkow, I wager it will be right jolly tonight.
GRUMBKOW (aside).
We'll soon begin to tap the Prince.
KING (aside).
Be merciful. His brow is already bedewed with the sweat of anxiety. [Aloud.] Tell me. Prince, since you have windbagged yourself about so much of the world—do they smoke tobacco in Versailles also?
[Illustration: KING FREDERICK WILLIAM I AND HIS "TOBACCO COLLEGIUM"
ADOLPH VON MENZEL]