Prince!

THE DUKE.

They've surrounded me with fools and knaves.

PROKESCH.

What have you done these last six months?

THE DUKE.

I've raged!

PROKESCH.

I'd never seen this Schonbrunn.

THE DUKE.

It's a tomb.

PROKESCH.

The Gloriette looks well against the sky.

THE DUKE.

Yes, while my heart is hungering for glory I've that diminutive: the Gloriette!

PROKESCH.

You've all the park to ride in.

THE DUKE.

Oh, the park Is much too little.

PROKESCH.

Well, then, the valley.

THE DUKE.

The valley is too little for a gallop.

PROKESCH.

What do you want for galloping?

THE DUKE.

All Europe!

PROKESCH.

Oh, hush!

THE DUKE.

When from the glowing page of history I lift dazed eyes, a forehead splashed with glory, Closing my Plutarch, leap with thee, O Caesar, Upon a conquered land, with Alexander, With Hannibal, with thee, my Father--

A LACKEY.

[_Entering._]

What Will your Highness please to wear to-night?

THE DUKE.

[_To_ PROKESCH.]

There!

[_To the_ LACKEY.]

I'm not going out.

[_The_ LACKEY _disappears._]

PROKESCH.

[_Who has been turning over some books._]

They let you read?

THE DUKE.

Oh, anything. The days are past when f.a.n.n.y, That I might learn, learnt history by heart.

And, later, books were handed me in secret.

PROKESCH.

The good Archd.u.c.h.ess--?

THE DUKE.

Every day a book.

Locked safe all night I read it. I was drunk!