A LACKEY (_entering_).
According to the sovereign"s order, madam, The coach is ready in the yard, and waiting.
NATALIE. Go, call it to the door. I"ll come at once.
[_Pause, during which she steps thoughtfully to the table and draws on her gloves._]
Count, I desire to interview Prince Homburg.
Will you escort me thither? In my coach There is a place I put at your disposal.
REUSS. Madam, a great distinction, I a.s.sure you--
[_He offers her his arm._]
NATALIE (_to the ladies-in-waiting_).
Follow, my friends!--It well may be that there I shall decide about the note erelong.
[_Exeunt omnes._]
SCENE III
_The_ PRINCE"S _cell. The_ PRINCE Of HOMBURG _hangs his hat on the wall and sinks, carelessly reclining, on a mattress spread out on the floor._
THE PRINCE. The dervish calls all life a pilgrimage, And that, a brief one. True!--Of two short spans This side of earth to two short spans below.
I will recline upon the middle path.
The man who bears his head erect today No later than tomorrow on his breast Bows it, all tremulous. Another dawn, And, lo, it lies a skull beside his heel!
Indeed, there is a sun, they say, that shines On fields beyond e"en brighter than these fields.
I do believe it; only pity "tis The eye, that shall perceive the splendor, rots.
SCENE IV
_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.