I expected also to see a
military display, but there were no soldiers present, because the
king traveled "incognito," which means that it was forbidden to
reveal his royal identity. He was supposed to be a plain nobleman
merely, "Herr von Beerstein" for instance.
But a king, who is human after all, may wish to enjoy himself as
others do and desire to associate occasionally with ordinary people.
So "Herr von Beerstein" goes to a beer garden in quest of a pleasing
companion who is readily found, for he has money to burn and invests
it freely.
An obliging bar-maid introduces him to her lovely cousin and they
retire to a lonely seat in the most secluded spot of the garden.
"Herr von Beerstein" now places his heart and purse in the keeping of
his gentle companion, who calls directly for "zwei beers."
Now follows a repetition of the old, old legend that yet is always
new and ever recurring in the romance of mutual love on sight, two
hearts beating as one and in the love that laughs at locksmiths, but
as the course of true love seldom runs smooth, now with the maiden's
oft repeated calls for "lager" "Herr von Beerstein" grows by stages
sentimental, incautious and then so reckless that "presto!" before he
is aware of any danger to himself he has stopped Cupid's fatal dart
with his royal personal circumference.
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