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SCENE IX

Scene: Berlin. Pleasure garden outside the old palace. In the background the palace chapel with a staircase leading up to it. Tolling of bells. The church is brightly illuminated. The body of FROBEN is carried by and set on a splendid catafalque. The ELECTOR, FIELD-MARSHAL DÖRFLING, COLONEL HENNINGS, COUNT TRUCHSZ and several other colonels and minor officers enter. From the opposite side enter various officers with dispatches. In the church as well as in the square are men, women and children of all ages.

 
ELECTOR. What man soever led the cavalry
  Upon the day of battle, and, before
  The force of Colonel Hennings could destroy
  The bridges of the foe, of his own will
  Broke loose, and forced the enemy to flight
  Ere I gave order for it, I assert
  That man deserves that he be put to death;
  I summon him therefore to be court-martialed.—
  Prince Homburg, then, you say, was not the man?
 
 
TRUCHSZ. No, my liege lord!
 
 
ELECTOR. What proof have you of that?
 
 
TRUCHSZ. Men of the cavalry can testify,
  Who told me of 't before the fight began:
  The Prince fell headlong from his horse, and, hurt
  At head and thigh, men found him in a church
  Where some one bound his deep and dangerous wounds.
 
 
ELECTOR. Enough! Our victory this day is great,
  And in the church tomorrow will I bear
  My gratitude to God. Yet though it were
  Mightier tenfold, still would it not absolve
  Him through whom chance has granted it to me.
  More battles still than this have I to fight,
  And I demand subjection to the law.
  Whoever led the cavalry to battle,
  I reaffirm has forfeited his head,
  And to court-martial herewith order him.—
  Come, follow me, my friends, into the church.
 

SCENE X

The PRINCE of HOMBURG enters bearing three Swedish flags, followed by COLONEL KOTTWITZ, bearing two, COUNT HOHENZOLLERN, CAPTAIN GOLZ, COUNT REUSS, each with a flag; and several other officers, corporals, and troopers carrying flags, kettle-drums and standards.

 
DÖRFLING (spying the PRINCE OF HOMBURG).
  The Prince of Homburg!—Truchsz! What did you mean?
 
 
ELECTOR (amazed).
  Whence came you, Prince?
 
 
THE PRINCE (stepping forward a few paces).
  From Fehrbellin, my liege,
  And bring you thence these trophies of success!
 

[He lays the three flags before him; the officers, corporals and troopers do likewise, each with his own.]

 
ELECTOR (frigidly).
  I hear that you are wounded, dangerously?
  Count Truchsz!
 
 
THE PRINCE (gaily). Forgive!
 
 
COUNT TRUCHSZ. By heaven, I'm amazed!
 
 
THE PRINCE. My sorrel fell before the fight began.
  This hand a field-leech bandaged up for me
  Scarce merits that you call it wounded.
 
 
ELECTOR. So?
  In spite of it you led the cavalry?
 
 
THE PRINCE (regarding him).
  I? Indeed, I! Must you learn that from me?
  Here at your feet I laid the proof of that.
 
 
ELECTOR. Relieve him of his sword. He is a prisoner.
 
 
DÖRFLING (taken aback).
  Whom?
 
 
ELECTOR (stepping among the flags).
  Ah, God greet you, Kottwitz!
 
 
TRUCHSZ (aside). Curses on it!
 
 
KOTTWITZ. By God, I'm utterly—
 
 
ELECTOR (looking at him). What did you say?
  Look, what a crop mown for our glory here!—
  That flag is of the Swedish Guards, is't not?
 

[He takes up a flag, unwinds it and studies it.]

 
KOTTWITZ. My liege?
 
 
DÖRFLING. My lord and master?
 
 
ELECTOR. Ah, indeed!
  And from the time of Gustaf Adolf too.
  How runs the inscription?
 
 
KOTTWITZ. I believe—
 
 
DÖRFLING. "Per aspera ad astra!"
 
 
ELECTOR. That was not verified at Fehrbellin.
 

[Pause.]

 
KOTTWITZ (hesitantly).
  My liege, grant me a word.
 
 
ELECTOR. What is 't you wish?
  Take all the things-flags, kettle-drums and standards,
  And hang them in the church. I plan tomorrow
  To use them when we celebrate our triumph!
 

[The ELECTOR turns to the couriers, takes their dispatches, opens and

 
  reads them.]
 
 
KOTTWITZ (aside).
  That, by the living God, that is too much!
 

[After some hesitation, the Colonel takes up his two flags; the other officers and troopers follow suit. Finally, as the three flags of the PRINCE remain untouched, he takes up these also, so that he is now bearing five.]

 
AN OFFICER (stepping up to the PRINCE).
  Prince, I must beg your sword.
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN (carrying his flag). Quiet now, friend.
 
 
THE PRINCE. Speak! Am I dreaming? Waking? Living? Sane?
 
 
GOLZ. Prince, give your sword, I counsel, and say nothing.
 
 
THE PRINCE. A prisoner? I?
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. Indeed!
 
 
GOLZ. You heard him say it.
 
 
THE PRINCE. And may one know the reason why?
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN (emphatically). Not now!
  We told you, at the time, you pressed too soon
  Into the battle, when the order was
  You should not quit your place till you were called.
 
 
THE PRINCE. Help, help, friends, help! I'm going mad!
 
 
GOLZ (interrupting). Calm! calm!
 
 
THE PRINCE. Were the Mark's armies beaten then?
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN (with a stamp of his foot). No matter!
  The ordinance demands obedience.
 
 
THE PRINCE (bitterly).
  So—so, so, so!
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN (turning away from him).
  It will not cost your head.
 
 
GOLZ (similarly).
  Tomorrow morning, maybe, you'll be free.
 

[The ELECTOR folds his letters and returns to the circle of   officers.]

 
THE PRINCE (after he has unbuckled his sword).
  My cousin Frederick hopes to play the Brutus
  And sees himself, on linen drawn with chalk,
  Already seated in the curule chair.
  The foreground filled with Swedish battle-flags,
  And on his desk the ordinance of the Mark.
  By God, in me he shall not find a son
  Who shall revere him 'neath the hangman's axe!
  A German heart of honest cut and grain,
  I look for kindness and nobility;
  And when he stands before me, frigidly,
  This moment, like some ancient man of stone,
  I'm sorry for him and I pity him.
 

[He gives his sword to the officer and goes out.]

 
ELECTOR. Bring him to camp at Fehrbellin, and there
  Assemble the court-martial for his trial.
 

[He enters the church. The flags follow him, and, while he and his retinue kneel in prayer at FROBEN's coffin, are fastened to the pilasters. Funeral music.]

ACT III

Scene: Fehrbellin. A prison.

SCENE I

The PRINCE OF HOMBURG. Two troopers as guards in the rear. COUNT

 
  HOHENZOLLERN enters.
 
 
THE PRINCE. Faith, now, friend Harry! Welcome, man, you are!
  Well, then, I'm free of my imprisonment?
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN (amazed).
  Lord in the heavens be praised!
 
 
THE PRINCE. What was that?
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. Free?
  So then he's sent you back your sword again?
 
 
THE PRINCE. Me? No.
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. No?
 
 
THE PRINCE. No.
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. Then how can you be free?
 
 
THE PRINCE (after a pause).
  I thought that you were bringing it.—What of it?
 
 
HOHENZOLL. I know of nothing.
 
 
THE PRINCE. Well, you heard: What of it?
  He'll send some other one to let me know.
 

[He turns and brings chairs.]

 
  Sit down. Now come and tell me all the news.
  Has he returned, the Elector, from Berlin?
 
 
HOHENZOLL. Yes. Yester eve.
 
 
THE PRINCE. And did they celebrate
  The victory as planned?—Assuredly!
  And he was at the church himself, the Elector?
 
 
HOHENZOLL. With the Electress and with Natalie.
  The church was wonderfully bright with lights;
  Upon the palace-square artillery
  Through the Te Deum spoke with solemn splendor.
  The Swedish flags and standards over us
  Swung from the church's columns, trophy-wise,
  And, on the sovereign's express command,
  Your name was spoken from the chancel high,
  Your name was spoken, as the victor's name.
 

THE PRINCE. I heard that.—Well, what other news? What's yours?

 
  Your face, my friend, is scarcely frolicsome.
 
 
HOHENZOLL. Have you seen anybody?
 
 
THE PRINCE. Golz, just now,
  I' the Castle where, you know, I had my trial.
 

[Pause.]

 
HOHENZOLLERN (regarding him doubtfully).
  What do you think of your position, Arthur,
  Since it has suffered such a curious change?
 
 
THE PRINCE. What you and Golz and even the judges think—
  The Elector has fulfilled what duty asked,
  And now he'll do as well the heart's behest.
  Thus he'll address me, gravely: You have erred
  (Put in a word perhaps of "death" and "fortress"),
  But I grant you your liberty again—
  And round the sword that won his victory
  Perhaps there'll even twine some mark of grace;
  If not that, good; I did not merit that.
 
 
HOHENZOLL. Oh, Arthur! [He pauses.]
 
 
THE PRINCE. Well?
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. Are you so very sure?
 
 
THE PRINCE. So I have laid it out. I know he loves me,
  He loves me like a son; since early childhood
  A thousand signs have amply proven that.
  What doubt is in your heart that stirs you so?
  Has he not ever seemed to take more joy
  Than I myself to see my young fame grow?
  All that I am, am I not all through him?
  And he should now unkindly tread in dust
  The plant himself has nurtured, just because
  Too swiftly opulent it flowered forth?
  I'll not believe his worst foe could think that—
  And far less you who know and cherish him.
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN (significantly).
  Arthur, you've stood your trial in court-martial,
  And you believe that still?
 
 
THE PRINCE. Because of it!
  No one, by heaven alive, would go so far
  Who did not have a pardon up his sleeve!
  Even there, before the judgment bar, it was—
  Even there it was, my confidence returned.
  Come, was it such a capital offense
  Two little seconds ere the order said
  To have laid low the stoutness of the Swede?
  What other felony is on my conscience?
  And could he summon me, unfeelingly,
  Before this board of owl-like judges, chanting
  Their litanies of bullets and the grave,
  Did he not purpose with a sovereign word
  To step into their circle like a god?
  No, he is gathering this night of cloud
  About my head, my friend, that he may dawn
  Athwart the gloomy twilight like the sun!
  And, faith, this pleasure I begrudge him not!
 
 
HOHENZOLL. And yet, they say, the court has spoken judgment.
 
 
THE PRINCE. I heard so: death.
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN (amazed). You know it then—so soon?
 
 
THE PRINCE. Golz, who was present when they brought the verdict
  Gave me report of how the judgment fell.
 
 
HOHENZOLL. My God, man! And it stirred you not at all?
 
 
THE PRINCE. Me? Why, not in the least!
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. You maniac!
  On what then do you prop your confidence?
 
 
THE PRINCE. On what I feel of him! [He rises.] No more, I beg.
  Why should I fret with insubstantial doubts?
 

[He bethinks himself and sits down again. Pause.]

 
  The court was forced to make its verdict death;
  For thus the statute reads by which they judge.
  But ere he let that sentence be fulfilled—
  Ere, at a kerchief's fall, he yields this heart
  That loves him truly, to the muskets' fire,
  Ere that, I say, he'll lay his own breast bare
  And spill his own blood, drop by drop, in dust.
 
 
HOHENZOLL. But, Arthur, I assure you—
 
 
THE PRINCE (petulantly). Oh, my dear!
 
 
HOHENZOLL. The Marshal—
 
 
THE PRINCE (still petulantly). Come, enough!
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. Hear two words more!
  If those make no impression, I'll be mute.
 
 
THE PRINCE (turning to him again).
  I told you, I know all. Well, now, what is it?
 
 
HOHENZOLL. Most strange it is, a moment since, the Marshal
  Delivered him the warrant for your death.
  It leaves him liberty to pardon you,
  But he, instead, has given the command
  That it be brought him for his signature.
 
 
THE PRINCE. No matter, I repeat!
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. No matter?
 
 
THE PRINCE. For—
  His signature?
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. By faith, I do assure you!
 
 
THE PRINCE. The warrant?—No! The verdict—
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. The death warrant.
 
 
THE PRINCE. Who was it told you that?
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. The Marshal.
 
 
THE PRINCE. When?
 
 
HOHENZOLL. Just now.
 
 
THE PRINCE. Returning from the sovereign?
 
 
HOHENZOLL. The stairs descending from the sovereign.
  And added, when he saw my startled face,
  That nothing yet was lost, and that the dawn
  Would bring another day for pardoning.
  But the dead pallor of his lips disproved
  Their spoken utterance, with, I fear it—no!
 
 
THE PRINCE (rising).
  He could—I'll not believe it!—bring to birth
  Such monstrous resolutions in his heart?
  For a defect, scarce visible to the lens,
  In the bright diamond he but just received,
  Tread in the dust the giver? 'Twere a deed
  To burn the Dey of Algiers white: with wings
  Like those that silver-gleam on cherubim
  To dizen Sardanapalus, and cast
  The assembled tyrannies of ancient Rome,
  Guiltless as babes that die on mother-breast,
  Over upon the favor-hand of God!
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN (who has likewise risen).
  My friend, you must convince yourself of that!
THE PRINCE. The Marshal then was silent, said nought else?
HOHENZOLL. What should he say?
THE PRINCE. Oh, heaven, my hope, my hope!
HOHENZOLL. Come, have you ever done a thing, perchance,
  Be it unconsciously or consciously,
  That might have given his lofty heart offense?
 
 
THE PRINCE. Never!
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. Consider!
 
 
THE PRINCE. Never, by high heaven!
  The very shadow of his head was sacred.
 
 
HOHENZOLL. Do not be angry, Arthur, if I doubt.
  Count Horn has come, the Ambassador of Sweden,
  And I am told with all authority
  His business concerns the Princess Orange.
  A word her aunt, the Electress, spoke, they say,
  Has cut the sovereign to the very quick;
  They say, the lady has already chosen.
  Are you in no way tangled up in this?
 
 
THE PRINCE. Dear God, what are you saying?
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. Are you? Are you?
 
 
THE PRINCE. Oh, friend, I am! And now all things are clear!
  It is that wooing that destroys me quite.
  I am accountable if she refuse,
  Because the Princess is betrothed to me.
 
 
HOHENZOLL. You feather-headed fool, what have you done?
  How often have I warned you, loyally!
 
 
THE PRINCE. Oh, friend! Then help me! Save me! I am lost!
 
 
HOHENZOLL. Ay, what expedient saves us in this gloom?
  Come, would you like to see her aunt, the Electress?
 
 
THE PRINCE (turning).
  Ho, watch!
 
 
TROOPER (in the background). Here!
 
 
THE PRINCE. Go, and call your officer!
 

[He hastily takes a cloak from the wall and puts on a plumed hat lying on the table.]

 
HOHENZOLLERN (as he assists him)
  Adroitly used, this step may spell salvation.
  For if the Elector can but make the peace,
  By the determined forfeit, with King Charles,
  His heart, you soon shall see, will turn to you,
  And in brief time you will be free once more.
 

SCENE II

The officer enters. The others as before.

 
THE PRINCE (to the officer).
  Stranz, they have put me in your custody;
  Grant me my freedom for an hour's time.
  I have some urgent business on my mind.
 
 
OFFICER. Not in my custody are you, my lord.
  The order given me declares that I
  Shall leave you free to go where you desire.
 
 
THE PRINCE. Most odd! Then I am not a prisoner?
 
 
OFFICER. Your word of honor is a fetter, too.
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN (preparing to go).
  'Twill do! No matter.
 
 
THE PRINCE. So. Then fare you well.
 
 
HOHENZOLL. The fetter follows hard upon the Prince.
 
 
THE PRINCE. I go but to the Castle, to my aunt,
  And in two minutes I am back again.
 

[Exeunt omnes.]

SCENE III

Room of the ELECTRESS. The ELECTRESS and NATALIE enter.

 
ELECTRESS. Come, daughter mine, come now! This is your hour.
  Count Gustaf Horn, the Swedes' ambassador,
  And all the company have left the Castle;
  There is a light in Uncle's study still.
  Come, put your kerchief on and steal on him,
  And see if you can rescue yet your friend.
 

[They are about to go.]

SCENE IV

A lady-in-waiting enters. Others as before.

 
LADY-IN-WAITING.
  Madam, the Prince of Homburg's at the door.
  But I am hardly sure that I saw right.
 
 
ELECTRESS. Dear God!
 
 
NATALIE. Himself?
 
 
ELECTRESS. Is he not prisoner?
 
 
LADY-IN-WAITING.
  He stands without, in plumed hat and cloak,
  And begs in urgent terror to be heard.
 
 
ELECTRESS (distressed).
  Impulsive boy! To go and break his word!
 
 
NATALIE. Who knows what may torment him?
 
 
ELECTRESS (after a moment in thought). Let him come!
 

[She seats herself.]

SCENE V

The PRINCE OF HOMBURG enters. The others as before.

 
THE PRINCE (throwing himself at the feet of the ELECTRESS).
  Oh, mother!
 
 
ELECTRESS. Prince! What are you doing here?
 
 
THE PRINCE. Oh, let me clasp your knees, oh, mother mine!
 
 
ELECTRESS (with suppressed emotion).
  You are a prisoner, Prince, and you come hither?
  Why will you heap new guilt upon the old?
 
 
THE PRINCE (urgently).
  Oh, do you know what they have done?
 
 
ELECTRESS. Yes, all.
  But what can I do, helpless I, for you?
THE PRINCE. You would not speak thus, mother mine, if death
  Had ever terribly encompassed you
  As it doth me. With potencies of heaven,
  You and my lady, these who serve you, all
  The world that rings me round, seem blest to save.
  The very stable-boy, the meanest, least,
  That tends your horses, pleading I could hang
  About his neck, crying: Oh, save me, thou!
  I, only I, alone on God's wide earth
  Am helpless, desolate, and impotent.
 
 
ELECTRESS. You are beside yourself! What has occurred?
 
 
THE PRINCE. Oh, on the way that led me to your side,
  I saw in torchlight where they dug the grave
  That on the morrow shall receive my bones!
  Look, Aunt, these eyes that gaze upon you now,
  These eyes they would eclipse with night, this breast
  Pierce and transpierce with murderous musketry.
  The windows on the Market that shall close
  Upon the weary show are all reserved;
  And one who, standing on life's pinnacle,
  Today beholds the future like a realm
  Of faery spread afar, tomorrow lies
  Stinking within the compass of two boards,
  And over him a stone recounts: He was.
 

[The PRINCESS, who until now has stood in the background supporting herself on the shoulder of one of the ladies-in-waiting, sinks into a chair, deeply moved at his words, and begins to weep.]

 
ELECTRESS. My son, if such should be the will of heaven,
  You will go forth with courage and calm soul.
 
 
THE PRINCE. God's world, O mother, is so beautiful!
  Oh, let me not, before my hour strike,
  Descend, I plead, to those black shadow-forms!
  Why, why can it be nothing but the bullet?
  Let him depose me from my offices,
  With rank cashierment, if the law demands,
  Dismiss me from the army. God of heaven!
  Since I beheld my grave, life, life, I want,
  And do not ask if it be kept with honor.
 
 
ELECTRESS. Arise, my son, arise! What were those words?
  You are too deeply moved. Control yourself!
 
 
THE PRINCE. Oh, Aunt, not ere you promise on your soul,
  With a prostration that shall save my life
  Pleading to go before the sovereign presence.
  Hedwig, your childhood friend, gave me to you,
  Dying at Homburg, saying as she died:
  Be you his mother when I am no more.
  Moved to the depths, kneeling beside her bed,
  Over her spent hand bending, you replied:
  Yea, he shall be to me as mine own child.
  Now, I remind you of the vow you made!
  Go to him, go, as though I were your child,
  Crying, I plead for mercy! Set him free!
  Oh, and return to me, and say: 'Tis so!
 
 
ELECTRESS (weeping).
  Belovèd son! All has been done, erewhile.
  But all my supplications were in vain.
 
 
THE PRINCE. I give up every claim to happiness.
  And tell him this, forget it not, that I
  Desire Natalie no more, for her
  All tenderness within my heart is quenched.
  Free as the doe upon the meads is she,
  Her hand and lips, as though I'd never been,
  Freely let her bestow, and if it be
  The Swede Karl Gustaf, I commend her choice.
  I will go seek my lands upon the Rhine.
  There will I build and raze again to earth
  With sweating brow, and sow and gather in,
  As though for wife and babe, enjoy alone;
  And when the harvest's gathered, sow again,
  And round and round the treadmill chase my days
  Until at evening they sink down, and die.
 
 
ELECTRESS. Enough! Now take your way home to your prison—
  That is the first demand my favor makes.
 
 
THE PRINCE (rises and turns toward the PRINCESS).
  Poor little girl, you weep! The sun today
  Lights all your expectations to their grave!
  Your heart decided from the first on me;
  Indeed, your look declares, that, true as gold,
  You ne'er shall dedicate your heart anew.
  Oh, what can I, poor devil, say to comfort?
  Go to the Maiden's Chapter on the Main,
  I counsel you, go to your cousin Thurn.
  Seek in the hills a boy, light-curled as I,
  Buy him with gold and silver, to your breast
  Press him, and teach his lips to falter: Mother.
  And when he grows to manhood, show him well
  How men draw shut the eyelids of the dead.
  That is the only joy that lies your way!
 
 
NATALIE (bravely and impressively, as she rises and lays
  her hand in his).
  Return, young hero, to your prison walls,
  And, on your passage, imperturbably
  Regard once more the grave they dug for you.
  It is not gloomier, nor more wide at all
  Than those the battle showed a thousand times.
  Meanwhile, since I am true to you till death,
  A saving word I'll chance, unto my kin.
  It may avail, perhaps, to move his heart
  And disenthrall you from all misery.
 

[Pause.]

 
THE PRINCE (folding his hands, as he stands lost in contemplation
  of her).
  An you had pinions on your shoulders, maid,
  Truly I should be sure you were an angel!
  Dear God, did I hear right? You speak for me?
  Where has the quiver of your speech till now
  Lain hid, dear child, that you should dare approach
  The sovereign in matters such as this?
  Oh, light of hope, reviving me once more!
 
 
NATALIE. The darts that find the marrow God will hand me!
  But if the Elector cannot move the law's
  Outspoken word, cannot—so be it! Then
  Bravely to him the brave man will submit.
  And he, the conqueror a thousand times,
  Living, will know to conquer too in death!
 
 
ELECTRESS. Make haste! The favorable hour flies by!
 
 
THE PRINCE. Now may all holy spirits guard your way!
  Farewell, farewell! Whate'er the outcome be,
  Grant me a word to tell me how you fared.
 

[Exeunt omnes.]