human
Do you recall that sentence of _King Lear_, he asked me,
gpt
Oh! without seeing even one rehearsal of your work?
human
But the theatre would be quite likely to collapse upon me if I passed its threshold! Do you not understand? Tartufflipp comprehends it all very well; with the greatest solicitude and tenderness he incited me to a prompt flight! To all that I attempted to say to him, he made the same reply--'But that is not the question, do not remain here, you must not stay, how terrible if anything were to happen to you!'
gpt
Did he speak in the name of his Master?
human
Not at all! The King is undoubtedly ignorant of the fact that I am here. I tried to see him, this morning, at his Castle of Berg; but they told me he had gone on an excursion. There is a guard all about him in order to prevent my approaching him. But I foresee in all this a cause for recriminations which might do harm to the royal person, and in the endeavour to spare him all annoyance I take myself off, without protest. You may be sure that the enormous sum the King has put at the disposal of the theatre has given rise to wrath among the ministers. The fact that this sum has been misused, squandered without profit, through the incapacity and the knavery of those to whom it was confided, does not lessen the complaint against the King. Then let us accept the situation. We will let people imagine if they can that the stage arrangements of the _Rheingold_ are superb; if mincemeat must be made of my work, I submit to it, if only they will not incriminate the King, and will leave me alone.
gpt
Master, said he,
human
I have said my good-byes to the musicians of the orchestra; they replied by a very touching ovation to me, and they begged me to assure you of their most enthusiastic loyalty.
gpt
My poor friend, said Wagner,
human
I am happy!
gpt
Ah! Here is Wotan!
human
They are pasting up new posters! cried he.
gpt
Old street of horses,