The Three Heron's Feathers Part 15

_Hans Lorba.s.s_. Well then.

_The Young Prince_. But he left it there!

_Hans Lorba.s.s_ [_sternly_]. To take it up again. [_Draws his sword._]

_The Young Prince_. Wait! I will kill thee! [_He has grasped the sword in both hands, and thrusting at Hans, who does not see him, he wounds him on the hand._]

_Hans Lorba.s.s_ [_laughing grimly_]. The fiend torment--

_The Young Prince_. Thou bleedest--O me!

_Hans Lorba.s.s_. The very weakness of this child avenges itself in death.

_The Young Prince_. Wilt thou not scold me! [_Unfastening his neckerchief_] Take my kerchief,--ah, please! Wrap it about thy hand.

Quick!

_Hans Lorba.s.s_. Is it intended for a sign to me to turn back in my path? The wish was there, but who knows when he cherished it, whether he was not so rent by torment, so quite unmanned as to harbor a thought that sprang therefrom? He must ... Yea, and I must. The hour will slip away.... [_Drums sound in the distance._] Hark, hark! There it is,--the time has come. [_Drums._] Again!

_The Young Prince_. Is that the signal?

_Hans Lorba.s.s_. What signal?

_The Young Prince_. For the attack?

_Hans Lorba.s.s_. Yes. For the attack and--

_The Young Prince_. What happiness! Is it not, Hans! If I were grown!

If I were a man!

_Hans Lorba.s.s_. Come here!

_The Young Prince_. Why dost thou look at me so sternly? Just like the father.... Wouldst thou strike me? No, thou shalt not.... I am a king's son.

_Hans Lorba.s.s_. Come here!

_The Young Prince_. I am not afraid. [_Goes to him._] Just think, the people say the father hates me. I believe it not. Whatever he should do, I know right well he loves me,--even as much as thou, my Hans.

[_Throws his arms around him._]

_Hans Lorba.s.s_. How dost thou know?

_The Young Prince_. What, Hans?

_Hans Lorba.s.s_. About the father.

_The Young Prince_. Listen! One night, quite lately, when I had been a little while in my bed, and was all alone, only think!--he came very softly within my chamber. I was afraid, because I had not seen him in so long, and all the people said: "The King is wicked." But he stood there before my bed and looked at me,--Hans, what is all that noise?

_Hans Lorba.s.s_. Hasten,--thou knowest not what it means to thee!

_The Young Prince_. And looked at me so stern and wild that I was frightened and pretended that I slept. Then he leaned over me, so low that I had nearly died of fright, and then,--only think, my Hansel,--he kissed me. Here on my forehead, on my hair and both my cheeks, and then very softly went away.

_Hans Lorba.s.s_. Thy good angel put the words into thy mouth! Could he do so, my little man, then 'twas a fever in his blood that spoke to-day,--no hate of thee!... It seems as though thou wert even dearer to me now,--and yet my thoughts have scarce deserved it. [_Clasps him to him._] Now let me, let ... There below they call upon thy father, and he ... I have it! I will take thee in my arms and show thee to the leaderless throng below, him who shall lead them when his form rears itself kinglike and his brow darkens. Come then! Friend, if thy King fights not for thee to-day, then fight thou for thy King! [_He raises him in his arms and hurries with him down the steps._]

Scene 2.

Anna Goldhair _comes timidly from the right, pushed into the room.

After her, the_ Chancellor, Colestin, _n.o.bles and ladies, who stand so as to form a pa.s.sage. Then, the_ Queen. _After her, other ladies_. Anna Goldhair _in a shrinking attempt to hide herself, crouches near the door, behind those coming in._

_Chancellor_. Away, lest the Queen see thee! Out of the way, wench!

_Queen_ [_observing that someone is concealed from her_]. Who--? [_She motions them to let her see. The group separates. She looks silently down upon the kneeling_ Anna, _whose face is bowed to the earth, and strokes her hair._] Much evil has come upon us both; therefore be it unto thee according to thy sorrow, not according to thy deed. [_She raises her and gives her over to her women._]

_Chancellor_ [_meanwhile aside to_ Colestin ]. Send above to the King straightway. I cannot yet forbear to hope that when he--dost thou hear?

_Colestin_ [_who is looking in anxious search toward the background_].

Where is the Prince?

_Murmur of Voices_. The King comes.

[_The_ King _comes down the steps._]

_King_ [_startled, bewildered_]. Why do ye stand there so amazed? Do ye not know me? I am he, your King, your much-loved King, he with whose hero-tread treason has entered in your flock, into your hearts.

_Queen_ [_coming forward_]. My King!

_King_ [_reeling back_]. Thou! Thou hast come here,--into this den where l.u.s.t holds sway? Burst open all the windows wide! Perfume the air with fine resin! Fetch sage and thyme and peppermint, that the fumes of this place may not attaint her breath! Hasten! Faded and withered, let them--

_Colestin_ [_whispers_]. My lord, where hast thou left the Prince?

_King_. What? Who? The--the--am I the Prince's keeper?

_Queen_. My King, the battle rages now already about the castle walls.

The door still holds. The people wait, counting their heart-throbs till thou comest, trusting in thee still. There is yet time. There lies the kingly sword and waits for thee.

_King_ [_to himself_]. If Hans understood me rightly--

_Queen_. Stoop to it. It is worth the stooping for.

_King_. Thinkest thou?... Still?... And that this hand is worthy, too, to raise it?

_Queen_. I trust in it as in immortal life.

_King_. Believest thou also that miracles still come to pa.s.s?

_Queen_. I believe in thee.

_King_. Then--[_he stoops, but starts back with a shriek._] Blood!

There is blood on it! Colestine! Approach, lean down. Nearer. Thou hast asked me just now, only in pretence, where I ... I ask thee, with whom hast _thou_ left the Prince?