(Enter Abrahams and Sanderus.)
ABRAHAMS. Isn't the burgomaster at home?
HENRICH. Yes, he's sitting under the table. Mr. Burgomaster!
SANDERUS. What? Are you sitting under the table, your Honor?
HERMAN. Oh, good sirs, I never asked to be made burgomaster. Why
have you got me into all this trouble?
ABRAHAMS. You certainly accepted it at one time. Do come out, your
Honor! We have come to point out the great wrong you did the foreign
minister when you dismissed him so haughtily-because of which the
city may get into difficulties. We thought that the burgomaster
understood Jus publicum and ceremony better than that.
HERMAN. Oh, good gentlemen, you can depose me, and then I shall be
relieved of a burden I am too weak to bear, and the foreign minister
will get satisfaction at the same time.
SANDERUS. Far be it from us, your Honor, to depose you! You must
come with us straight to the City Hall to consider with the syndics
how the error can be remedied.
HERMAN. I won't go to the City Hall, even if I'm dragged by the
hair. I don't want to be burgomaster, I never did want to be
burgomaster, and I'd rather you killed me. I am a tinker, before God
and honor, and a tinker I shall die.
SANDERUS. Will you make fools of the entire council? Listen,
colleague, did he not accept the office of burgomaster?
ABRAHAMS. Certainly, and it is a fact which we have already reported
to the council.
SANDERUS. We must consider the matter. The whole Senate is not going
to allow itself to be made game of in this way. [Exeunt Abrahams and
Sanderus.]