The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann Volume 7 - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 edition. Excerpt: ... THE THIRD ACT Inside of the yard of Eumus' farmstead. The yard is surrounded by block-houses, which serve the needs of the household, and by tall fences. Toward the sea the farm is unfortified because it lies upon a mountain height and is inaccessible from the shore. In the background a strong gate of wood which is barricaded; in the middle of the yard a well which is now dry. Not far from it stands Melanto and stirs blood in a pot of earthenware. The dwelling house stands at the left. Next to the door is a stationary bench. Upon this bench crouches feebly the beggar OdysSeus. Laertes, who is now the counterpart of Odysseus in every way comes from the house and sits down next to him. Laertes Thou bathest thee i' the sun! Wilt thou not leave A little space also for me, good comrade? Odysseus Leaps up, trembling. Zeus be with me! Who art thou? Laertes I have eaten Of oatmeal porridge! Hee, hee! May be thou V Wouldst like some oatmeal porridge too, good comrade? Odysseus Hast thou naught better? Laertes Nay, I want naught better. Odysseus O eyes of mine, so dull and blind! Must ye, Having seen many woes, confess at last That ye have seen no thing unto this day? Laertes What murmurest thou, comrade! Let us chat! odysseus sits down again beside Laertes. Odysseus What are they busy with beyond there? Laertes One Cleaneth a swine, and the maid stirreth blood. That is the custom on our island now. Greed wastes the forest and the half-ripe fruit, Greed wastes the blade upon the fields of wheat, And greed gnaws at the root. Cellar and barn Swarm with a vermin unescapable, Even the king's golden house; for also it Is wasted and picked clean by robbery. Voracious teeth crush the land's marrow, maws Insatiable still gorge themselves with it. Let us...