Ludwig Tieck

“ I must tell you, gentlemen, that I like to peer at small things as a devotional exercise; it is actually edifying to do so; it uplifts my heart when I see how gargantuan a worm appears when magnified, how strangely constructed maggots and flies are, and how in all their glory they can even compete with a king. ”

“ Hinze
You must be fed up playing the fool here.
Hanswurst
It's impossible to come up with anything novel; there are too many working in this profession.
King
And you also maintain that the Earth is continuously spinning round and round, now one way, now another, like a drunk?
Leander
It's not exactly like that; it's more like a rolling motion.
King
And it is, in your opinion, a sphere?
Leander
Exactly, so that there are people living on this world whose feet are pointing upwards towards our feet — they are our Antipodes, just as we in our turn are their Antipodes. ”

“ Hanswurst
Why, you scratch like a cat!
Hinze laughs mischievously.
King
But what's wrong with the world today? Why does one no longer engage in intelligent conversation at the dinner-table? I cannot enjoy a bite unless my mind has some nourishment too. Court scholar, have you decided to play the Court fool today? ”

“ Yes, your majesty; he will be dining here at the little table with the court jester.
Hanswurst
to Hinze
Let us sit down, the soup is getting cold.
Hinze
sitting down
With whom do I have the honor of dining?
Hanswurst
A man is what he is, Mr Hunter; we cannot all do the same thing. I am a poor exiled fugitive, a man who was once, a long time ago, held to be witty, who was subsequently looked upon as stupid, vulgar and loutish, and who has now re-entered service in a foreign land, where he is once again considered witty, for the time being, at least. ”

“ If, however, you say that the fool is ignorant in matters of religion and philosophy, and that his mind wanders astray too much, can you yourself (since the foolish man is surely your next of kin) not sit down with him in a friendly manner and say to him lovingly: Look here, my dear, this is so, and that is so, and you have this all backwards, but I will lovingly show you the light. And then give him a thorough grounding in logic, metaphysics and hydrostatics, so that he conquers his ignorance and turns over a new leaf. That is how one who wishes to be taken for a philosopher would act. ”

“ The Pacifier plays his bells, the stamping keeps time with his music; he beckons; Monkeys and Bears appear and dance affectionately around him, Eagles and Other Birds; an eagle sits on Hinze's head, who is terrified, two Elephants and two Lions also dance. ”

“ He puts his ear to Hinze
King
I can't hear anything; it's as quiet as a mouse in there.
Hanswurst
It stopped when his hair was pulled out; it seems he only grinds this organ when he's happy. Think of something pleasant, Mr Hunter, imagine something charming; otherwise we will think it is just out of spite that you refuse to grind your little organ for us.
King
Hold some of the roast in front of his nose. — Like so. — Look, huntsman, what have we here? Well? — I'll try stroking his head and ears at the same time: hopefully this display of favor will operate his organ of satisfaction. ”

“ Furthermore, it does a man like me good to see a fool who is more stupid than myself, who does not possess the gifts I have, who is not as well educated as I; why, then, one feels greater oneself and is grateful to heaven. ”

“ There's nothing in the world I like better than to hear of such large numbers — millions, trillions — that gives one something to think about. — Upon my soul, that's quite a lot, a thousand million, more or less.
Leander
As the numbers increase, so human intelligence expands. ”

“ Hanswurst
Typical! When you don't want such things, they're always around: but now that they're needed for educational purposes, they're nowhere to be found! But, your majesty, I humbly propose that we observe one of those strange whiskers of the foreign hunter. That would surely be well worth the trouble.
King
An excellent idea! See, our fool is on song today. But to spare the hunter unnecessary embarrassment, the best-looking hair should be plucked by just two chamberlains. Everyone else turn around!
Hinze ”