"Jetzt und in der Stunde unseres Absterbens.". Scene. Wegwarten II.

First edition of Rilke's early one-act play, one of 300 copies, which Rilke began distributing himself while wandering the public squares of Prague. It represents the second number in his self-published periodical Wegwarten, in which he first issued works under his own name. The play premiered later the same year at Heines Garten, Prague on 6 August 1896. In the foreword to the first instalment of Wegwarten, Rilke sets out the idealistic basis of the publication: "Cheap editions are not enough: even two kreuzer is too much if the choice is book or bread. If you want to give to all - then give! According to Paracelsus, the wild chicory [Wegwarten] becomes a living being once every century: and the legend may well be fulfilled in these songs - perhaps they will awake to a higher life in the soul of the people" (Prater, pp. 19-20). Donald A. Prater, A Ringing Glass: The Life of Rainer Maria Rilke, 1986. Octavo (204 x 136 mm), pp. 16. Stage map in text, engraved headpiece. Later marbled card covers, original paper wrappers bound in. A little wear to covers, perpendicular crease to contents, inner hinge split after title page but holding. A well-preserved copy.…