Go to him, go, as though I were your child, Crying, I plead for mercy! Set him free!
Oh, and return to me, and say: "Tis so!
ELECTRESS (_weeping_).
Beloved son! All has been done, erewhile.
But all my supplications were in vain.
THE PRINCE. I give up every claim to happiness.
And tell him this, forget it not, that I Desire Natalie no more, for her All tenderness within my heart is quenched.
Free as the doe upon the meads is she, Her hand and lips, as though I"d never been, Freely let her bestow, and if it be The Swede Karl Gustaf, I commend her choice.
I will go seek my lands upon the Rhine.
There will I build and raze again to earth With sweating brow, and sow and gather in, As though for wife and babe, enjoy alone; And when the harvest"s gathered, sow again, And round and round the treadmill chase my days Until at evening they sink down, and die.
ELECTRESS. Enough! Now take your way home to your prison-- That is the first demand my favor makes.
THE PRINCE (_rises and turns toward the_ PRINCESS).
Poor little girl, you weep! The sun today Lights all your expectations to their grave!
Your heart decided from the first on me; Indeed, your look declares, that, true as gold, You ne"er shall dedicate your heart anew.
Oh, what can I, poor devil, say to comfort?
Go to the Maiden"s Chapter on the Main, I counsel you, go to your cousin Thurn.
Seek in the hills a boy, light-curled as I, Buy him with gold and silver, to your breast Press him, and teach his lips to falter: Mother.
And when he grows to manhood, show him well How men draw shut the eyelids of the dead.
That is the only joy that lies your way!
NATALIE (_bravely and impressively, as she rises and lays her hand in his_).
Return, young hero, to your prison walls, And, on your pa.s.sage, imperturbably Regard once more the grave they dug for you.
It is not gloomier, nor more wide at all Than those the battle showed a thousand times.
Meanwhile, since I am true to you till death, A saving word I"ll chance, unto my kin.
It may avail, perhaps, to move his heart And disenthrall you from all misery.
[_Pause._]
THE PRINCE (_folding his hands, as he stands lost in contemplation of her_).
An you had pinions on your shoulders, maid, Truly I should be sure you were an angel!
Dear G.o.d, did I hear right? You speak for me?
Where has the quiver of your speech till now Lain hid, dear child, that you should dare approach The sovereign in matters such as this?
Oh, light of hope, reviving me once more!
NATALIE. The darts that find the marrow G.o.d will hand me!
But if the Elector cannot move the law"s Outspoken word, cannot--so be it! Then Bravely to him the brave man will submit.
And he, the conqueror a thousand times, Living, will know to conquer too in death!
ELECTRESS. Make haste! The favorable hour flies by!
THE PRINCE. Now may all holy spirits guard your way!
Farewell, farewell! Whate"er the outcome be, Grant me a word to tell me how you fared.
[_Exeunt omnes._]
ACT IV
_Scene: Room of the_ ELECTOR.
SCENE I
_The_ ELECTOR _is standing with doc.u.ments 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 n.o.ble 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 G.o.d 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 pa.s.sed?
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!