Chapter 22

_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.