Originally, I had meant the title to be "Overture to Tyranny" ("Ouvertüre zur Tyrannei," or, per Martin's suggestion, "Anregung zur Tyrannei") but I now think that the erroneous title that Babelfish had given me ("Negotiation Offer to Tyranny") fits the poem quite well.
The last line is an obvious reference to Pontius Pilate's "ecce homo," establishing an interesting counterpoint to the evil of the man on the stage.
The instruments
are tuning.
Shuffled talk
and laughter
mixed
within the
murmur
of the chamber.
The actors’
make-up,
costumes
Set.
The discord
dies.
The violin then
starts to play,
all joining in:
turmoil,
chaos,
passion
all mix in
this prelude—
immensity
and strength.
An ordinary drama—
some might say,
another boring show
by our playmeisters
But then,
the tune
is changed
the evening
is transformed
The curtain rises
and the music
falls.
Falls down below,
with it the light.
And then
the scene
is bright.
The music
deep.
Pause.
All is
waiting
for the change
A whisper
slowly
fills the space
An actor?
New?
We have not seen...
...this should be good!
And unsuspectingly
submit.
He does not know
and nor do they
yet he does see
Step.
Step.
And he is out.
The stage
is flooded.
Pause.
He hesitates,
he stops.
And recollects
his purpose
then
restarts again.
Step.
Step.
And he is out.
Enter a man.