Страница 698 из 788

"Pray give orders for the band to restrain itself for a while

longer. You know that to-day sees the betrothal of my nephew, and

it is the ancient custom of our family to celebrate betrothals

and marriages with village music. Look, there stand the player of

the dulcimer, the fiddler, and the bagpiper, all worthy

musicians-already the fiddler is making mouths, and the bagpiper

is bowing and begging with his eyes that I will have them

begin-the poor fellows will weep. The common folk will not know

how to skip to other music; so let them begin and let the folk

have their fun; afterwards we will listen to your excellent

band."