TheMaster of the Cellar, advancing withNeumann, Servants passing backwards and forwards.
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
The best wine! O! if my old mistress, his lady mother, could but see these wild goings on, she would turn herself round in her grave. Yes, yes, sir officer! 'tis all down the hill with this noble house! no end, no moderation! And this marriage with the Duke's sister, a splendid connection, a very splendid connection! but I tell you, sir officer, it bodes no good.
NEUMANN.
Heaven forbid! Why, at this very moment the whole prospect is in bud and blossom!
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
You think so?—Well, well! much may be said on that head.
FIRST SERVANT(comes)
Burgundy for the fourth table.
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
Now, sir lieutenant, if this an't the seventieth flask———
FIRST SERVANT.
Why, the reason is, that German lord, Tiefenbach, sits at that table.
MASTER OF THE CELLAR (continuing his discourse to Neumann.)
They are soaring too high. They would rival kings and electors in their pomp and splendour;
