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ACT IV

Scene: Room of the ELECTOR.

SCENE I

The ELECTOR is standing with documents in his hand near a table set with lights. NATALIE enters through the centre door and, still some distance away, falls on her knees to him.

 
NATALIE. My noble uncle Frederick of the Mark!
 
 
ELECTOR (laying the papers aside).
  My Natalie!
 

[He seeks to raise her.]

 
NATALIE. No, no!
 
 
ELECTOR. What is your wish?
 
 
NATALIE. As it behooves me, at your feet in dust
  To plead your pardon for my cousin Homburg.
  Not for myself I wish to know him safe—
  My heart desires him and confesses it—
  Not for myself I wish to know him safe;
  Let him go wed whatever wife he will.
  I only ask, dear uncle, that he live,
  Free, independent, unallied, unbound,
  Even as a flower in which I find delight;
  For this I plead, my sovereign lord and friend,
  And such entreaty you will heed, I know.
 
 
ELECTOR (raising her to her feet).
  My little girl! What words escaped your lips?
  Are you aware of how your cousin Homburg
  Lately offended?
 
 
NATALIE. But, dear uncle!
 
 
ELECTOR. Well?
  Was it so slight?
 
 
NATALIE. Oh, this blond fault, blue-eyed,
  Which even ere it faltered: Lo, I pray!
  Forgiveness should raise up from the earth—
  Surely you will not spurn it with your foot?
  Why, for its mother's sake, for her who bore it,
  You'll press it to your breast and cry: "Weep not!
  For you are dear as loyalty herself."
  Was it not ardor for your name's renown
  That lured him in the fight's tumultuous midst
  To burst apart the confines of the law?
  And oh, once he had burst the bonds asunder,
  Trod he not bravely on the serpent's head?
  To crown him first because he triumphs, then
  Put him to death—that, surely, history
  Will not demand of you. Dear uncle mine,
  That were so stoical and so sublime
  That men might almost deem it was inhuman!
  And God made nothing more humane than you.
 
 
ELECTOR. Sweet child, consider! If I were a tyrant,
  I am indeed aware your words ere now
  Had thawed the heart beneath the iron breast.
  But this I put to you: Have I the right
  To quash the verdict which the court has passed?
  What would the issue be of such an act?
 
 
NATALIE. For whom? For you?
 
 
ELECTOR. For me? No! Bah! For me!
  My girl, know you no higher law than me!
  Have you no inkling of a sanctuary
  That in the camp men call the fatherland?
 
 
NATALIE. My liege! Why fret your soul? Because of such
  Upstirring of your grace, this fatherland
  Will not this moment crash to rack and ruin!
  The camp has been your school. And, look, what there
  You term unlawfulness, this act, this free
  Suppression of the verdict of the court,
  Appears to me the very soul of law.
  The laws of war, I am aware, must rule;
  The heart, however, has its charter, too.
  The fatherland your hands upbuilt for us,
  My noble uncle, is a fortress strong,
  And other greater storms indeed will bear
  Than this unnecessary victory.
  Majestically through the years to be
  It shall uprise, beneath your line expand,
  Grow beautiful with towers, luxuriant,
  A fairy country, the felicity
  Of those who love it, and the dread of foes.
  It does not need the cold cementing seal
  Of a friend's life-blood to outlast the calm
  And glorious autumn of my uncle's days!
 
 
ELECTOR. And cousin Homburg thinks this?
 
 
NATALIE. Cousin Homburg?
 
 
ELECTOR. Does he believe it matters not at all
  If license rule the fatherland, or law?
 
 
NATALIE. This poor dear boy!
 
 
ELECTOR. Well, now?
 
 
NATALIE. Oh, uncle dear,
  To that I have no answer save my tears!
 
 
ELECTOR (in surprise).
  Why that, my little girl? What has befallen?
 
 
NATALIE (falteringly).
  He thinks of nothing now but one thing: rescue!
  The barrels at the marksmen's shoulders peer
  So ghastly, that, giddy and amazed,
  Desire is mute, save one desire: To live.
  The whole great nation of the Mark might sink
  To wrack mid flare and thunderbolt; and he
  Stand by nor even ask: What comes to pass?—
  Oh, what a hero's heart have you brought low?
 

[She turns away, sobbing.]

 
ELECTOR (utterly amazed).
  No, dearest Natalie! No, no, indeed!
  Impossible!—He pleads for clemency?
 
 
NATALIE. If you had only, only not condemned him!
 
 
ELECTOR. Come, tell me, come! He pleads for clemency?
  What has befallen, child? Why do you sob?
  You met? Come, tell me all. You spoke with him?
 
 
NATALIE (pressed against his breast).
  In my aunt's chambers but a moment since,
  Whither in mantle, lo, and plumèd hat
  Stealthily through the screening dusk he came—
  Furtive, perturbed, abashed, unworthy all,
  A miserable, pitiable sight.
  I never guessed a man could sink so low
  Whom history applauded as her hero.
  For look—I am a woman and I shrink
  From the mere worm that draws too near my foot;
  But so undone, so void of all control,
  So unheroic quite, though lion-like
  Death fiercely came, he should not find me thus!
  Oh, what is human greatness, human fame!
 
 
ELECTOR (confused).
  Well, then, by God of heaven and of earth!
  Take courage, then, my girl, for he is free!
 
 
NATALIE. What, my liege lord?
 
 
ELECTOR. I pardon him, I say!
  I'll send the necessary word at once.
 
 
NATALIE. Oh, dearest, is it really true?
 
 
ELECTOR. You heard.
 
 
NATALIE. You will forgive him? And he need not die?
 
 
ELECTOR. Upon my word! I swear it! How shall I
  Oppose myself to such a warrior's judgment?
  Within my heart of hearts, as you know well,
  I deeply do esteem his inner sense;
  If he can say the verdict is unjust,
  I cancel the indictment; he is free!
 

[He brings her a chair.]

 
Will you sit here and wait a little while?
 

[He goes to the table, seats himself and writes. Pause.]

 
NATALIE (softly).
  Why dost thou knock so at thy house, my heart?
 
 
ELECTOR (writing).
  The Prince is over in the Castle?
 
 
NATALIE. Pardon!
  He has returned to his captivity.
 

ELECTOR (finishes his letter and seals it; thereupon he returns  with the letter to the PRINCESS).

 
  Well, well, my little niece, my daughter, wept!
  And I, whose place it is to make her glad
  Was forced to cloud the heaven of her fair eyes!
 

[He puts his arm about her.]

 
Will you go bring the note to him yourself?
 
 
NATALIE. How? To the City Hall?
 
 
ELECTOR (presses the letter into her hand).
                                  Why not? Ho, lackeys!
 

[Enter lackeys.]

 
  Go, have the carriage up! Her ladyship
  Has urgent business with Colonel Homburg.
 

[The lackeys go out.]

 
Now he can thank you for his life forthwith.
 

[He embraces her.]

 
Dear child, and do you like me now once more?
 
 
NATALIE (after a pause).
  I do not know and do not seek to know
  What woke your favor, liege, so suddenly.
  But truly this, I feel this in my heart,
  You would not make ignoble sport of me.
  The letter hold whate'er it may—I trust
  That it hold pardon—and I thank you for it.
 

[She kisses his hand.]

 
ELECTOR. Indeed, my little girl, indeed. As sure
  As pardon lies in Cousin Homburg's wish.
 

SCENE II

Room of the PRINCESS. Enter PRINCESS NATALIE, followed by two ladies-in-waiting and Captain of Cavalry, COUNT REUSS.

 
NATALIE (precipitantly).
  What is it, Count? About my regiment?
  Is it of moment? Can it wait a day?
 
 
REUSS (handing her a letter).
  Madam, a note for you from Colonel Kottwitz.
 
 
NATALIE (opening it).
  Quick, give it me! What's in it?
 
 
REUSS. A petition,
  Frankly addressed, though deferentially,
  As you will note, to our liege lord, his Highness,
  In furtherance of our chief, the Prince of Homburg.
 
 
NATALIE (reading).
  "Petition, loyally presented by
  The regiment of Princess Orange"—so.
 

[Pause.]

 
This document—whose hand composed it, pray?
 
 
REUSS. As the formations of the dizzy script
  May let you guess, by none but Colonel Kottwitz.
  His noble name stands foremost on the list.
 
 
NATALIE. The thirty signatures which follow it?
 
 
REUSS. The names of officers, most noble lady,
  Each following each according to his rank.
 
 
NATALIE. And they sent me the supplication—me?
 
 
REUSS. My lady, most submissively to beg
  If you, our colonel, likewise, at their head
  Will fill the space left vacant, with your name?
 

[Pause.]

 
NATALIE. Indeed, I hear, the Prince, my noble kinsman,
  By our lord's own volition shall be freed,
  Wherefore there scarce is need for such a step.
 
 
REUSS (delighted).
  What? Truly?
 
 
NATALIE. Yet I'll not deny my hand
  Upon a document, which, wisely used,
  May prove a weight upon the scales to turn
  Our sovereign's decision—even prove
  Welcome, mayhap, to introduce the issue.
  According to your wish, therefore, I set
  Myself here at your head and write my name.
 

[She goes to a desk and is about to write.]

 
REUSS. Indeed, you have our lively gratitude!
 

[Pause.]

 
NATALIE (turning to him again).
  My regiment alone I find, Count Reuss!
  Why do I miss the Bomsdorf Cuirassiers
  And the dragoons of Götz and Anhalt-Pless?
 
 
REUSS. Not, as perchance you fear, because their hearts
  Are cooler in their throbbing than our own.
  It proves unfortunate for our petition
  That Kottwitz is in garrison apart
  At Arnstein, while the other regiments
  Are quartered in the city here. Wherefore
  The document lacks freedom easily
  In all directions to expand its force.
 
 
NATALIE. Yet, as it stands, the plea seems all too thin.—
  Are you sure, Count, if you were on the spot
  To interview the gentlemen now here,
  That they as well would sign the document?
 
 
REUSS. Here in the city, madam? Head for head!
  The entire cavalry would pledge itself
  With signatures. By God, I do believe
  That a petition might be safely launched
  Amid the entire army of the Mark!
 
 
NATALIE (after a pause).
  Why does not some one send out officers
  To carry on the matter in the camp?
 
 
REUSS. Pardon! The Colonel put his foot on that.
  He said that he desired to do no act
  That men might christen with an ugly name.
 
 
NATALIE. Queer gentleman! Now bold, now timorous!
  But it occurs to me that happily
  The Elector, pressed by other business,
  Charged me to issue word that Kottwitz, cribbed
  Too close in his position, march back hither.
  I will sit down at once and do it!
 

[She sits down and writes.]

 
REUSS. By Heaven,
  Most excellent, my lady! An event
  That could not timelier prove for our petition!
 
 
NATALIE (as she writes).
  Use it, Count Reuss, as well as you know how.
 

[She finishes her note, seals it and rises to her feet again.]

 
  Meanwhile this note, you understand, remains
  In your portfolio; you will not go
  To Arnstein with it, nor convey 't to Kottwitz
  Until I give more definite command.
 

[She gives him the letter.]

 
A LACKEY (entering).
  According to the sovereign's order, madam,
  The coach is ready in the yard, and waiting.
 
 
NATALIE. Go, call it to the door. I'll come at once.
 

[Pause, during which she steps thoughtfully to the table and draws on her gloves.]

 
  Count, I desire to interview Prince Homburg.
  Will you escort me thither? In my coach
  There is a place I put at your disposal.
 
 
REUSS. Madam, a great distinction, I assure you—
 

[He offers her his arm.]

 
NATALIE (to the ladies-in-waiting).
  Follow, my friends!—It well may be that there
  I shall decide about the note erelong.
 

[Exeunt omnes.]

SCENE III

The PRINCE'S cell. The PRINCE Of HOMBURG hangs his hat on the wall and sinks, carelessly reclining, on a mattress spread out on the floor.

 
THE PRINCE. The dervish calls all life a pilgrimage,
  And that, a brief one. True!—Of two short spans
  This side of earth to two short spans below.
  I will recline upon the middle path.
  The man who bears his head erect today
  No later than tomorrow on his breast
  Bows it, all tremulous. Another dawn,
  And, lo, it lies a skull beside his heel!
  Indeed, there is a sun, they say, that shines
  On fields beyond e'en brighter than these fields.
  I do believe it; only pity 'tis
  The eye, that shall perceive the splendor, rots.
 

SCENE IV

Enter PRINCESS NATALIE on the arm of COUNT REUSS, and followed by ladies-in-waiting. A footman with a torch precedes them. The PRINCE OF HOMBURG.

 
FOOTMAN. Her Highness Princess Natalie of Orange!
 
 
THE PRINCE (rising).
  Natalie!
 
 
FOOTMAN. Here she comes herself!
 
 
NATALIE (with a bow to the COUNT). I beg
  Leave us a little moment to ourselves.
 

[COUNT REUSS and the footman go.]

 
THE PRINCE. Beloved lady!
 
 
NATALIE. Dear good cousin mine!
 
 
THE PRINCE (leading her up stage).
  What is your news? Speak! How stand things with me?
 
 
NATALIE. Well. All is well, just as I prophesied.
  Pardoned are you, and free; here is a letter
  Writ by his hand to verify my words.
 
 
THE PRINCE. It cannot be! No, no! It is a dream!
 
 
NATALIE. Read! Read the letter! See it for yourself!
 
 
THE PRINCE (reading).
  "My Prince of Homburg, when I made you prisoner
  Because of your too premature attack,
  I thought that I was doing what was right—
  No more; and reckoned on your acquiescence.
  If you believe that I have been unjust,
  Tell me, I beg you in a word or two,
  And forthwith I will send you back your sword."
 

[NATALIE turns pale. Pause. The PRINCE regards her questioningly.]

 
NATALIE (feigning sudden joy).
  Well, there it stands! It only needs two words,
  My dear, sweet friend!
 

[She presses his hand.]

 
THE PRINCE. Ah, precious lady mine!
 
 
NATALIE. Oh, blessed hour that dawns across my world!
  Here, take it, take the pen, take it and write.
 
 
THE PRINCE. And here the signature?
 
 
NATALIE. The F—his mark!
  Oh, Bork! Be glad with me. His clemency
  Is limitless, I knew it, as the sea!
  Do bring a chair, for he must write at once.
 
 
THE PRINCE. He says, if I believed—
 
 
  NATALIE (interrupting). Why, yes, of course!
  Quick now! Sit down. I'll tell you what to say.
 

[She sets a chair in place for him.]

 
THE PRINCE. I wish to read the letter once again.
 
 
NATALIE (tearing the letter from his hand).
  Why so? Did you not see the pit already
  Yawning beneath you in the graveyard yonder?
  The time is urgent. Come, sit down and write.
 
 
THE PRINCE (smiling).
  Truly, you act as though it had the power
  To plump down, panther-fashion, on my back.
 

[He sits down and seizes a pen.]

 
NATALIE (turning away with a sob).
  Write, if you do not want to make me cross.
 

[The PRINCE rings for a lackey, who enters.]

 
THE PRINCE. Bring pen and paper, seal and sealing-wax.
 

[The lackey, having collected these and given them to the PRINCE, goes out. The PRINCE writes. Pause, during which he tears the letter he has begun in two and throws the pieces under the table.]

 
A silly opening!
 

[He takes another sheet.]

 
NATALIE (picking up the letter). What did you say?
  Good heavens! Why, it's right, it's excellent.
 
 
THE PRINCE (under his breath).
  Bah! That's a blackguard's wording, not a Prince's.
  I'll try to put it in some other way.
 

[Pause. He clutches at the ELECTOR'S letter which the PRINCESS holds in her hand.]

 
What is it, anyway, his letter says?
 
 
NATALIE (keeping it from him).
  Nothing at all!
 
 
THE PRINCE. Give it to me!
 
 
NATALIE. You read it!
 
 
THE PRINCE (snatches it from her).
  What if I did? I only want to see
  How I'm to phrase my answer.
 
 
NATALIE (to herself). God of earth!
  Now all is done with him!
 
 
THE PRINCE (surprised). Why, look at this!
  As I'm alive, most curious! You must
  Have overlooked the passage.
 
 
NATALIE. Why! Which one?
 
 
THE PRINCE. He calls on me to judge the case myself!
 
 
NATALIE. Well, what of that?
 
 
THE PRINCE. Gallant, i' faith, and fine!
  Exactly what a noble soul would say!
 
 
NATALIE. His magnanimity is limitless!
  But you, too, friend, do your part now, and write,
  As he desires. All that is needed now
  Is but the pretext, but the outer form.
  As soon as those two words are in his hands,
  Presto, the quarrel's at an end.
 
 
THE PRINCE (putting the letter away). No, dear!
  I want to think it over till tomorrow.
 
 
NATALIE. Incomprehensible! Oh, what a change!
  But why, but why?
 
 
THE PRINCE (rising in passionate excitement).
                    I beg you, ask me not!
  You did not ponder what the letter said.
  That he did me a wrong—and that's the crux—
  I cannot tell him that. And if you force me
  To give him answer in my present mood,
  By God, it's this I'll tell him—"You did right!"
 

[He sinks down beside the table, again with folded arms, and stares at the letter.]

 
NATALIE (pale).
  You imbecile, you! What a thing to say!
 

[She bends over him, deeply stirred.]

 
THE PRINCE (pressing her hand).
  Come, just a second now! I think—
 

[He ponders.]

 
NATALIE. What is it?
 
 
THE PRINCE. I'll know soon now what I shall write to him.
 
 
NATALIE (painfully).
  Homburg!
 
 
THE PRINCE (taking up his pen)
           Yes, dear. What is it?
 
 
NATALIE. Sweetest friend!
  I prize the impulse that upstirred your heart;
  But this I swear to you: the regiment
  Has been detailed, whose muskets are to sound
  At dawn the reconciling burial rite
  Above the grave where your dead body lies.
  If you cannot resist the law's decree,
  Nor, noble as you are, do what he asks
  Here in this letter to repeal it, then
  I do assure you he will loftily
  Accept the situation, and fulfil
  The sentence on the morrow ruthlessly.
 
 
THE PRINCE (writing).
  No matter!
 
 
NATALIE. What? No matter?
 
 
THE PRINCE. Let him do
  What his soul bids. I must do what I must.
 
 
NATALIE (approaching him frightened).
  Oh, terrible! You are not writing there?
 
 
THE PRINCE (concluding).
  "Homburg!" And dated, "Fehrbellin, the twelfth."
  So, it's all ready. Frank!
 

[He closes and seals the letter.]

 
NATALIE. Dear God in heaven!
 
 
THE PRINCE (rising).
  Here, take this to the Castle to my liege!
 

[The lackey goes out.]

 
  I will not face man who faces me
  So nobly, with a knave's ignoble front!
  Guilt, heavy guilt, upon my conscience weighs,
  I fully do confess. Can he but grant
  Forgiveness, when I contest for it,
  I do not care a straw for any pardon.
 
 
NATALIE (kissing him).
  This kiss, for me! And though twelve bullets made
  You dust this instant, I could not resist
  Caroling, sobbing, crying: Thus you please me!
  However, since you follow your heart's lead,
  I may be pardoned if I follow mine.
  Count Reuss!
 

[The footman opens the door. The COUNT enters.]

 
REUSS. Here!
 
 
NATALIE. Go, and bear the note I gave
  Post-haste to Arnstein and to Colonel Kottwitz!
  The regiment shall march, our liege directs.
  Ere midnight I shall look to see it here!
 

[Exeunt omnes.]

ACT V

Scene: a hall in the Castle.

SCENE I

The ELECTOR, scantily clad, enters from the adjoining chamber, followed by COUNT TRUCHSZ, COUNT HOHENZOLLERN, and CAPTAIN VON DER GOLZ. Pages with lights.

 
ELECTOR. Kottwitz? And with the Princess's dragoons?
  Here in the town?
 
 
TRUCHSZ (opening the window). Indeed, my sovereign!
  Drawn up before the Castle, here he is!
 
 
ELECTOR. Well? Will you read the riddle, gentlemen?
  Who called him hither?
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. I know not, my liege.
 
 
ELECTOR. The place I set him at is known as Arnstein!
  Make haste, some one, and go and bring him in.
 
 
GOLZ. He will appear forthwith, my sovereign.
 
 
ELECTOR. Where is he?
 
 
GOLZ. At the City Hall, I hear,
  Where the entire generality,
  That bears obedience to your house, is met.
 
 
ELECTOR. But why? What is the object?
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. I know not.
 
 
TRUCHSZ. My prince and lord, will you vouchsafe that we
  Likewise betake ourselves a moment thither?
 
 
ELECTOR. Whither? The City Hall?
 
 
HOHENZOLLERN. The lords' assemblage.
  We gave our word of honor to appear.
 
 
ELECTOR (after a short pause).
  You are dismissed!
 
 
GOLZ. Come, follow, gentlemen!
 

[The officers go out.]

SCENE II

The ELECTOR. Later, two footmen.

 
ELECTOR. Most curious! Were I the Dey of Tunis
  I'd sound alarm at such a dubious move,
  Lay on my desk despair's thin silken cord,
  And at my palisaded castle-gate
  Set up my heavy guns and howitzers.
  But since it's just Hans Kottwitz from the Priegnitz
  Who marches on me of his own sweet will
  I'll treat the matter in the Mark's own way;
  Of the three curls that gleam so silvery
  On his old skull, I'll take firm hold of one
  And lead him calmly with his squadrons twelve
  To Arnstein, his headquarters, back again.
  Why wake the city from its slumber thus?
 

[He goes to the window a moment, then returns to the table and rings a bell. Two lackeys enter.]

 
  Do run below and ask, as for yourself,
  What's doing in the City Hall.
1st LACKEY. At once!
 

[He goes out.]

 
ELECTOR (to the other).
  But you go now and fetch me my apparel.
 

[The lackey goes and brings it. The ELECTOR attires himself and dons his princely insignia.]

SCENE III

FIELD-MARSHAL DÖRFLING enters. The others as before.

 
DÖRFLING. Rebellion, my Elector!
 
 
ELECTOR (still occupied with his clothes). Calm yourself!
  You know that I detest to have my room
  Without a warning word, invaded thus.
  What do you want?
 
 
MARSHAL. Forgive me! An affair
  Of special consequence has brought me hither.
  Unordered, Colonel Kottwitz moved his force
  Into the city; hundred officers
  Are gathered round him in the armor-hall.
  From hand to hand a paper passes round
  That purposes encroachment on your rights.
 
 
ELECTOR. I am informed of it. What can it be
  Except a ferment friendly to the Prince
  On whom the law has laid the sentence, death?
 
 
MARSHAL. 'Tis so, by God on high! You struck it right!
 
 
ELECTOR. Well, then, and good. My heart is in their midst.
 
 
MARSHAL. The rumor goes the maniacs intend
  This very night to hand you their petition
  Here in the Castle; and should you persist
  In carrying out, irreconcilably,
  The sentence—scarce I dare to bring you this!—
  To liberate him from his bonds by force!
 
 
ELECTOR (sombrely).
  Come now, who told you that?
 
 
MARSHAL. Who told me that?
  The lady Retzow, cousin of my wife,
  Whom you may trust. She spent this evening
  In Bailiff Retzow's, in her uncle's house,
  And heard some officers who came from camp
  Brazenly utter this audacious plan.
 
 
ELECTOR. A man must tell me that ere I'll believe it.
  I'll set this boot of mine before his house
  To keep him safe from these young heroes'
  hands!
 
 
MARSHAL. My lord, I beg you, if it be your will,
  To grant the Prince his pardon after all:
  Fulfil it ere an odious deed be done.
  You know that every army loves its hero.
  Let not this spark which kindles in it now
  Spread out and wax a wild consuming fire.
  Nor Kottwitz nor the crowd he has convened
  Are yet aware my faithful word has warned you.
  Ere he appears, send back the Prince's sword,
  Send it, as, after all, he has deserved.
  One piece of chivalry the more you give
  To history, and one misdeed the less.
 
 
ELECTOR. Concerning that I'd have to ask the Prince,
  Who was not idly made a prisoner,
  As you may know, nor idly may be freed.—
  I'll see the gentlemen when they arrive.
 
 
MARSHAL (to himself).
  Curse it! His armor's proof to every dart.