Chapter 21

_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._]