Chapter 30

_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_.]