Chapter 27

_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.