cloak over head and runs off.]

WAGONMAKER. This is the last time I'm going to lend myself to such
tomfoolery! Good-bye!

SHOEMAKER. [Alone.] And now I'm going to the burgomaster's for a
brandy. But first, I must deliver my speech to the old man on the
pedestal; then my conscience will be easier. [Talks to statue.] You
think, you old Schulze, it is for your sake that we sing, for your
sake that we speechify; can't you comprehend that we do so for our
own sakes? We need a big man to push forward when we turn out to be
too little ourselves. We need your word to quote, since no one
credits ours. Our little town needed your statue in order to become
a great city; your insignificant relatives needed your statue to
help them get on and find occupation in this troublesome world--and
therefore, mark you, you stand so high above us all--a figure for
naught but ciphers! Now you have heard a true remark, you poor
wretch! the first and the last you'll hear, perhaps--[Alarmed.]
Surely no one has been listening to what I said? Ah! here comes the
great man's relative.

[Enter Relative.]

RELATIVE. Good morning, Shoemaker. Have you heard--have you heard
of the scurrilous attack?

SHOEMAKER. What now? What's up, Herr Relative?

RELATIVE. A reformer has come to the city; haven't you read his
broad-sheet?