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King-Hunger 305
would not readily recognize her. But I can t say why I
did all this. Whose will did I shape? To what end
did I aspire? My head is dull. I am dead tired. My
strength oppresses me. Explain it to me, O King! Or
I ll clutch this hammer and crack the earth as a hollow
nut.
King-Hunger. Patience, my son! Save your powers
for the last great revolt. Then you ll know all.
First Workingman. I shall wait.
Second Workingman. He cannot comprehend it, O
King. He thinks that we must crack the earth. It is
a gross falsehood, O King! The earth is fair as the
garden of God. We must guard and caress her as a lit
tle girl. Many that stand there in the darkness say,
there is no sky, no sun, as if eternal night is upon the
earth. Just think: eternal night!
King-Hunger. Why, coughing blood, do you smile
and gaze to heaven?
Second Workingman. Because flowers will blossom on
my blood, and I see them now. On the breast of a beau
tiful rich lady I saw a red rose she didn t know it was
my blood.
King-Hunger. You are a poet, my son. I suppose
you write verses, as they do.
Second Workingman. King, O King, sneer not at me.
In darkness I learned to worship fire. Dying I under
stood that life is enchanting. Oh, how enchanting!
King, it shall become a great garden, and there shall walk
in peace, unmolested, men and animals. Dare not ruffle
the animals! Wrong not any man! Let them play,
embrace, caress one another let them! But where is
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