Chapter 39

_The persons, as in the preceding scene, with the exception of the_ PRINCE OF HOMBURG.

MARSHAL. God of earth! Did it have to come to that?

[_The_ ELECTOR _speaks in a low voice to an officer._]

KOTTWITZ (_frigidly_). My sovereign, after all that has occurred Are we dismissed?

ELECTOR. Not for the present, no! I'll give you notice when you are dismissed!

[_He regards him a moment straightly and steadily; then takes the papers which the page has brought him from the table and turns to the_ FIELD-MARSHAL.]

This passport, take it, for Count Horn the Swede. Tell him it is my cousin's wish, the Prince's, Which I have pledged myself to carry out. The war begins again in three days' time!

[_Pause. He casts a glance at the death warrant._]

Judge for yourselves, my lords. The Prince of Homburg Through disobedience and recklessness Of two of my best victories this year Deprived me, and indeed impaired the third. Now that he's had his schooling these last days Come, will you risk it with him for a fourth?

KOTTWITZ _and_ TRUCHSZ (_helter-skelter_). What, my adored--my worshipped--What, my liege?--

ELECTOR. Will you? Will you?

KOTTWITZ. Now, by the living God, He'd watch you standing on destruction's brink And never twitch his sword in your behalf, Or rescue you unless you gave command.

ELECTOR (_tearing up the death warrant_). So, to the garden! Follow me, my friends!