MODERN EVIDENCE
Hugo von Hofmannsthal
THE
CON VERSA
liON OF THE DANCERS
The Dancing Girls: Laidion, the taller; Hymnis, the smaller. The
second mate from ·a merchant ship.
Hymnis:
May I come in?
Laidion:
Yes, do.
Hymnis:
Is it Pamphilos who is with you?
Laidion
: Yes, but come in all the same.
Hymnis (entering):
But that's not Pamphilos.
Laidion:
Never mind. He's a sailor. Go on telling about the people
on the island.
The Man:
Well, what am I to tell?
(He gets
uP)
Laidion:
About the king, how they carry him and how everyone
dances round him and touches him.
The Man:
Why do you want me to tell about such things? I must
go now.
Laidion:
You must tell. I want you to stay and tell.
The Man:
What shall I tell in front of that
girl
there? I don't
know anything.
Laidion:
What you told me about the island and the people on
the island, more of it.
The Man:
You know that by now. I'm off. Your sister will stay
with you.
Laidion:
That's not my sister.
The Man:
I'll leave you with your friend. I must get back to my
ship.
Laidion:
Stay here and tell me more. Then I'll send for something