Page:Poet Lore, volume 31, 1920.djvu/38

 (Enter of . Both bow.  stops on seeing .)

Bilent (Approaching ).—The master is not here.

Ctibor.—I am not seeking him. I was just coming to you. (Secretly) You can do it now as easily as another time,—speak a word for me to Hannewaldt.

Bilent.—I will do so, wait right here; perhaps you may be of service to him yourself. (Goes to .)

Hannewaldt (Quietly).—It is necessary to go.

Bilent.—He is our friend.

Hannewaldt.—But still I hesitate to act in his presence.

Bilent.—Would you care to step into my laboratory?

Hannewaldt.—No, not there.

Bilent.—Then into the observatory. (Aloud.) Here is where my realm begins. ( approaches him. points to the secret door.)

Ctibor (Jokingly).—Do not venture into those places,—that is the antechamber of the archdevil.

Hannewaldt.—What is here?

Bilent.—First the laboratory for my alchemistic experiments which extends beyond the master’s apartments, to the main door. The other one is underground. Upstairs is the astrological observatory where the master tries out his experiments and cabalistic rites, in which, however, I have but little faith. And this space here (pointing to the room in which they were standing) also has its own history, more erotic than terrible: more than one dove has been captured here.

Ctibor (Maliciously).—Birdcatcher Bilent!

Bilent.—I promise you freedom of both body and soul. Pray enter. If you fear the laboratory, we will step into the observatory only. ( vanishes in the doorway.) You, friend, remain for the present in my place. (Vanishes. As he is closing the door, enters the room from the antechamber.  hastens to her.)