Chapter 15

_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._

LINENOTES:

[13] _hum_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

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

[15] _nothing_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[16] _Nothing_ 1800, 1828, 1829.