Der Tag: or, The Tragic Man

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Chancellor. Your Imperial Majesty – Officer. Sire – Emperor (the Emperorrises). Is that the paper?

Chancellor (presenting it). It awaits only your Imperial Majesty's signature.

Officer. When you have signed that paper, Sire, the Fatherland will be at war with France and Russia.

Emperor. At last, this little paper – Chancellor. Not of the value of a bird's feather until it has your royal signature. The – Emperor. Then it will sing round the planet. The vibration of it will not pass in a hundred years. My friend, how still the world has grown since I raised this pen! All Europe's listening. Europe! That's Germany, when I have signed! And yet – Officer. Your Imperial Majesty is not afraid to sign? Emperor (flashing). Afraid!

Officer (abject). Oh, Sire!

Emperor. I am irresistible to-day! "Red blood boils in my veins. To me every open door is the gift of a world! I hear a thousand nightingales! I would eat all the elephants in Hindustan and pick my teeth with the spire of Strassburg Cathedral."

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