Chapter XXIII: 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._]