Erdgeist (Earth-Spirit): A Tragedy in Four Acts

(At rise, is seen the entrance to a tent, out of which steps an animal-tamer, with long, black curls, dressed in a white cravat, a vermilion dress-coat, white trowsers and white top-boots. He carries in his left hand a dog-whip and in his right a loaded revolver, and enters to the sound of cymbals and kettle-drums.)

Walk in! Walk in to the menagery, Proud gentlemen and ladies lively and merry! With avid lust or cold disgust, the very Beast without Soul bound and made secondary To human genius, to stay and see! Walk in, the show’ll begin!—As customary, One child to each two persons comes in free.

Here battle man and brute in narrow cages Where one in haught disdain his long whip lashes And one, with growls as when the thunder rages, Against the man’s throat murderously dashes,— Where now the crafty conquers, now the strong, Now man, now beast, lies cowed the floor along; The animal rears,—the human on all fours! One ice-cold look of dominance— The beast submissive bows before that glance, And the proud heel upon his neck adores.