The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iv Part 65

[_To the officers._]

Come!--Frank!

A GROOM (_entering_). Here!

ELECTOR. Quick there! Saddle me my gray!

I will be on the field before the sun!

[_He goes out, followed by generals, colonels and minor officers._]

SCENE VI

THE PRINCE (_coming forward_).

Now, on thine orb, phantasmic creature, Fortune, Whose veil a faint wind's breathing even now Lifts as a sail, roll hither! Thou hast touched My hair in pa.s.sing; as thou hovered'st near Already from thy horn of plenty thou Benignantly hast cast me down a pledge.

Child of the G.o.ds, today, O fugitive one, I will pursue thee on the field of battle, Seize thee, tear low thy horn of plenty, pour Wholly thy radiant blessings round my feet, Though sevenfold chains of iron bind thee fast To the triumphant chariot of the Swede!

[_Exit._]

ACT II

_Scene: Battlefield of Fehrbellin._

SCENE I

COLONEL KOTTWITZ, COUNT HOHENZOLLERN, CAPTAIN VON DER GOLZ _and other officers enter at the head of the cavalry._

KOTTWITZ (_outside_). Halt! Squadron, halt! Dismount!

HOHENZOLLERN AND GOLZ (_entering_). Halt, halt!

KOTTWITZ. Hey, friends, who'll help me off my horse?

HOHENZOLLERN AND GOLZ. Here--here!

[_They step outside again._]

KOTTWITZ (_still outside_).

Thanks to you-ouch! Plague take me! May a son Be giv'n you for your pains, a n.o.ble son Who'll do the same for you when you grow sear.

[He enters, followed by_ HOHENZOLLERN, GOLZ _and others._]

Oh, in the saddle I am full of youth!

When I dismount, though, there's a battle on As though the spirit and the flesh were parting, In wrath. [_Looking about._] Where is our chief, the Prince's Highness?

HOHENZOLL. The Prince will momentarily return.

KOTTWITZ. Where has he gone?

HOHENZOLLERN. He rode down to a hamlet, In foliage hidden, so you pa.s.sed it by.

He will return erelong.

OFFICER. Last night, they say, His horse gave him a tumble.

HOHENZOLLERN. So they say.

KOTTWITZ. He fell?

HOHENZOLLERN (_turning_). A matter of no consequence.

His horse s.h.i.+ed at the mill, but down his flank He lightly slipped and did himself no harm.

It is not worth the shadow of a thought.

KOTTWITZ (_ascending a slight elevation_).

A fine day, as I breathe the breath of life!

A day our G.o.d, the lofty Lord of earth, For sweeter things than deadly combat made.

Ruddily gleams the sunlight through the clouds And with the lark the spirit flutters up Exultant to the joyous airs of heaven!

GOLZ. Did you succeed in finding Marshal Dorfling?

KOTTWITZ (_coming forward_).

The Devil, no! What does my lord expect?

Am I a bird, an arrow, an idea, That he should bolt me round the entire field?

I was at Hackel hillock with the van And with the rearguard down in Hackel vale.

The one man whom I saw not was the Marshal!

Wherefore I made my way back to my men.

GOLZ. He will be ill-content. He had, it seemed, A matter of some import to confide.

OFFICER. His Highness comes, our commandant, the Prince!

SCENE II

_The_ PRINCE OF HOMBURG _with a black bandage on his left hand. The others as before._

KOTTWITZ. My young and very n.o.ble prince, G.o.d greet you!

Look, how I formed the squadrons down that road While you were tarrying in the nest below.

I do believe you'll say I've done it well.

THE PRINCE. Good morning, Kottwitz! And good morning, friends!

You know that I praise everything you do.

HOHENZOLL. What were you up to in the village, Arthur?

You seem so grave.

THE PRINCE. I--I was in the chapel That beckoned through the placid village trees; The bells were ringing, calling men to prayers, As we pa.s.sed by, and something urged me on To kneel before the altar, too, and pray.