HENRICH. You must realize that the master has two professions: he is
both tinker and politician.

ANTONIUS. The two don't seem to go together very well.

HENRICH. The same idea has occurred to us. For when he does a piece
of work, which is rarely, there is such a political look to the job
that we have to do it all over again. But if you want to talk to
him, go right into the sitting-room.

ANTONIUS. I have an important errand, Henrich, for between you and
me, I want to ask him for his daughter, whom I've been engaged to
for a long time.

HENRICH. My word, that is an important errand, indeed. But listen,
Master Antonius, you must not take it amiss if I warn you of just
one thing: if you want your suit to prosper, you must tune up your
language and make a graceful speech, for he has become devilish
particular recently.

ANTONIUS. No, I can't do that, Henrich! I'm a good workman, and I've
never learned to pass compliments. I can only speak out straight and
plain that I love his daughter and want her for my wife.

HENRICH. Nothing more? Then I'll risk my neck that you don't get
her. At the very least you must start with "Whereas" or "Inasmuch."
You must realize, Master Antonius, that you have to do with a
learned man, who spends his days and nights in reading political
works, till he's on the verge of madness. The one thing that he's