[The carriage.  The KING looks out of the coach door.]

KING.

What is it, Hunter?  Why do you shout so?

HINZE.

Help, your majesty, the Count of Carabas is drowned!

KING.

Drowned!

PRINCESS (in the carriage).

Carabas!

KING.

My daughter in a faint!  The Count drowned!

HINZE.

Perhaps he can still be saved; he is lying there in the water.

KING.

Servants!  Try everything, anything to preserve the noble man.

SERVANT.

We have rescued him, your majesty.

HINZE.

Misfortune upon misfortune, my king!  The Count was bathing here in the clear water and a rogue stole his clothing.

KING.

Unstrap my trunk at once—­give him some of my clothes.  Cheer up, daughter, the Count is rescued.

HINZE.

I must hurry.

[Exit.]

GOTTLIEB (in the king’s clothing).

Your majesty—­

KING.

Here is the Count!  I recognize him by my clothing!  Step in, my best friend—­how are you?  Where do you get all the rabbits?  I cannot compose myself for joy!  Drive on, coachman!

[The carriage drives off quickly.]

SERVANT.

None but the hangman could come up so quickly—­now I have the pleasure of running behind on foot, and besides I’m just as wet as a cat.

LEUTNER.

How many more times, pray, will the carriage appear?

WIESENER.

Neighbor!  Why, you are asleep!

NEIGHBOR.

Not at all—­a fine play.

Palace of the Bugbear

The BUGBEAR appears as a rhinoceros; a poor peasant stands before him.

PEASANT.

May it please your honor—­

BUGBEAR.

There must be justice, my friend.

PEASANT.

I cannot pay just now.

BUGBEAR.

Be still, you have lost the case; the law demands money and your punishment; consequently your land must be sold.  There is nothing else to be done and this is for the sake of justice.

[Exit peasant.]

BUGBEAR (who is re-transformed into an ordinary bugbear).

These people would lose all respect if they were not compelled to fear in this way.

[An officer enters, bowing profusely.]

OFFICER.

May it please you, honored sir—­I—­

BUGBEAR.

What’s your trouble, my friend?

OFFICER.

With your kindest permission, I tremble and quiver in your honor’s formidable presence.

BUGBEAR.

Oh, this is far from my most terrible form.

OFFICER.

I really came—­in matters—­to beg you to take my part against my neighbor.  I had also brought this purse with me—­but the presence of Lord Law is too frightful for me.