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Changes to a spacious chamber in the house of the Duke of

Friedland. — Servants employed in putting the tables and chairs in

order. During this enters SENI, like an old Italian doctor, in black,

and clothed somewhat fantastically. He carries a white staff, with which

he marks out the quarters of the heaven.

First Servant. Come — to it, lads, to it! Make an end of it.

I hear the sentry call out, ‘Stand to your arms!’ They will

be there in a minute.

Second Servant. Why were we not told before that the

audience would be held here? Nothing prepared — no orders — no 5

instructions —

Third Servant. Ay, and why was the balcony-chamber

countermanded, that with the great worked carpet? — there one can

look about one.

First Servant. Nay, that you must ask the mathematician there. 10

He says it is an unlucky chamber.

Second Servant. Poh! stuff and nonsense! That’s what I call

a hum. A chamber is a chamber; what much can the place

signify in the affair?

Seni. My son, there’s nothing insignificant, 15

Nothing! But yet in every earthly thing

First and most principal is place and time.

First Servant (to the Second). Say nothing to him, Nat. The

Duke himself must let him have his own will.

Seni (counts the chairs, half in a loud, half in a low voice, till

he comes to eleven, which he repeats). Eleven! an evil number!

Set twelve chairs. 20

Twelve! twelve signs hath the zodiac: five and seven,

The holy numbers, include themselves in twelve.

Second Servant. And what may you have to object against

eleven? I should like to know that now.

Seni. Eleven is — transgression; eleven oversteps 25

The ten commandments.

Second Servant. That’s good! and why do you call five an

holy number?

Seni. Five is the soul of man: for even as man

Is mingled up of good and evil, so 30

The five is the first number that’s made up

Of even and odd.

Second Servant. The foolish old coxcomb!

First Servant. Ey! let him alone though. I like to hear

him; there is more in his words than can be seen at first sight. 35

Third Servant. Off! They come.

Second Servant. There! Out at the side-door.

[They hurry off. SENI follows slowly. A page brings the

staff of command on a red cushion, and places it on

the table near the DUKE’S chair. They are announced

from without, and the wings of the door fly open.

[Before 15] Seni (with gravity). 1800, 1828, 1829.