ELECTOR: My sweet child! Look . . . if I were a tyrant, your words, and this I feel most strongly, would have already melted my heart of iron. Because I’m not, however, there’s a question I must put to you: may I arbitrarily suppress the judgment handed down by my own court? What would be the consequences of such an action?
NATALIA: Consequences? For whom? For you?
ELECTOR: For me? No! Of course not for me! Don’t you recognize anything higher than me, dear girl? Are you unacquainted with that holy thing that’s known in army camps as fatherland?
NATALIA: Oh, my Lord! What are you worrying about? Our fatherland? Surely, Brandenburg will not disintegrate, our fatherland will not be shattered into ruins at this, the slightest gesture of your mercy. On the contrary, what you, who have been raised in army camps call disorder . . . and by this I mean your decision to rescind the court-martial’s verdict in this particular case . . . such an act I’d term the very highest order. I know the laws of war should rule; however, the gentler feelings must also have their say. The fatherland which you, my dear uncle, have founded for our people stands solid like a fortress: it will yet withstand quite different storms than the Prince’s capricious victory. And our fatherland will grow in size and beauty. In the hands of your grandchildren, it will stand resplendent with battlements and towers; it will stand luxuriant like a land in fairy tales . . . a joy to friends and a terror to our enemies. Our country does not need a cold and desolate law, nourished by a dear friend’s blood, for it to live on past the autumn of my uncle’s life, my splendid, peaceful uncle’s reign.
ELECTOR: Does your cousin Homburg think as you do?
NATALIA: Cousin Homburg?
ELECTOR: Does he think it’s all the same to the fatherland if impulse or if law prevails?
NATALIA: Oh, that boy!
ELECTOR: Well, does he?
NATALIA: Oh, dear uncle, tears are my only answer to this question.
ELECTOR [taken aback]: Why, my daughter? What has happened?
NATALIA [hesitant]: He now thinks of nothing but of rescue. The barrels of the firing squad’s guns stare at him with such awe-inspiring horror that, confused and shocked as he is, they silence every other wish in him but the wish to live. He could see our whole Brandenburg sink amid lightning and thunder, beneath a raging storm, and not ask what’s happening. My God, what a heroic heart it is you’ve crushed. [She turns away and weeps.]
ELECTOR [extremely surprised]: No, my dearest Natalia, it can’t be possible! Is it true, he really begs for mercy?
NATALIA: Oh, if only you had never condemned him!
ELECTOR: No, tell me: does he beg for mercy? What has happened, my dear child? Why are you crying? You spoke with him? Tell me everything! You spoke with him?
NATALIA [leaning against him]: Yes, just now in the apartments of my aunt where he came furtively creeping under the cover of darkness, distraught and timid, a pitiable, wretched sight in his plumed hat and cloak. I would never have believed that a man whom history has proclaimed a hero could sink so low. I am a woman, and a mere worm that comes too close to my shoe frightens me away. And yet death, even if it appeared before me in a lion’s hideous form, would not find me so completely crushed, so utterly devoid of self-control, so absolutely unheroic. Oh, what, indeed, is human greatness, human glory!
ELECTOR [confused]: Well, then, by heaven and earth, take heart, my child, he’s free!
NATALIA: What, my noble Lord?
ELECTOR: He’s pardoned. I’ll draft the necessary release papers immediately.
NATALIA: Oh, my dearest friend. Is it really true?
ELECTOR: You have heard me.
NATALIA: He’ll be pardoned? He won’t have to die?
ELECTOR: My word of honor, I swear it to you. How could I dare to set myself in opposition to the convictions of such a warrior? You know that in my innermost self I have the highest regard for the Prince’s feelings. If he can tell me that the verdict is unjust, I will set it aside and he’ll be free. [He brings Natalia a chair.] Will you wait here for a moment? [He goes to the table, sits down, and writes. Pause.]
NATALIA [to herself]: Oh, my heart, why are you beating so furiously within your house?
ELECTOR [writing]: Is the Prince still at the castle?
NATALIA: No! He has returned to prison.
ELECTOR [He finishes his letter and seals it. He then returns to Natalia with it.]: Alas, my little daughter, my lovely niece has shed tears! And I, who was entrusted with her happiness, had to be the one who brought clouds to the gentle heavens of her eyes. [He puts his arm around her.] Would you like to bring the letter to him yourself?
NATALIA: To the prison? Really?
ELECTOR [He presses the letter into her hands.]: Why not? Hey, guards!
[Castle guards in Hungarian dress enter.]
Have the carriage brought. The Princess has business to transact with Colonel Homburg.
[The guards leave.]
If you take the letter to him now, he’ll be able to thank you right away for his life. [He embraces her.] My dear child, are we friends again?
NATALIA [after a pause]: Whatever it was that so suddenly aroused your good will, my Lord, I do not know and do not wish to fathom. But I do know in my heart that you would not ignobly mock my feelings. The letter, however it may be phrased, contains, I think, the Prince’s rescue . . . and for this I thank you. [She kisses his hand.]
ELECTOR: It does indeed, my little daughter, it certainly does. As surely as his rescue now depends on Cousin Homburg’s wishes!
[They leave.]
SCENE 2
Scene: Apartments of the Princess.
[Enter Princess Natalia followed by two ladies-in-waiting and Cavalry Captain Count Reuss.]
NATALIA [in haste]: What do you have for me, Count? Is it from my regiment? Is it important? Can it wait until tomorrow?
REUSS [handing her a letter]: A letter from Colonel Kottwitz, Madam!
NATALIA: Quick, give it to me. What does it say? [She opens it.]
REUSS: It’s a petition for His Majesty, our leader, on behalf of the Prince of Homburg, candid, yet respectful, as you can see.
NATALIA [reads]: “Petition from the Regiment of the Princess of Orange, respectfully submitted.”
[Pause.]
May I ask who drew up this petition?
REUSS: Probably Colonel Kottwitz himself, if one can guess from the awkward handwriting. Besides, it is his noble name that heads the list.
NATALIA: And the thirty signatures that follow his?
REUSS: Those, Madam, are the names of the other officers according to their rank.
NATALIA: But why has the petition been forwarded to me?
REUSS: Because, Madam, we wish to ask you in all humility whether you, as chief of our regiment, wish to enter your name on the first line which has been left free.
[Pause.]
NATALIA: I hear that such a step is no longer necessary since the Prince, my noble cousin, is to be pardoned by His Majesty upon his own initiative.
REUSS [pleased]: What? Really?
NATALIA: Nevertheless, I shall not refuse you. I shall sign at the top as you wish and thus place myself in the forefront of this endeavor. Who knows but that such a document, cleverly handled, could tip the scales in His Majesty’s consideration of this matter. Perhaps he’ll even welcome it in making his decision. [She goes to sign her name.]
REUSS: We’ll be greatly in your debt.
[Pause.]
NATALIA [turning to Reuss again]: But, Count Reuss, I only see my regiment on the list. Why don’t I see the names of the Bomsdorf cuirassiers and the dragoons from Götz and Anhalt-Pless?
REUSS: Not, as you may fear, because their hearts beat more timidly than ours. Unfortunately for our plan, Kottwitz was stationed far away in Arnstein. Thus he was separated from the regiments whose camps lie right here near the city. There was no safe and easy way to send the petition round to all those regiments.
NATALIA: All the same,
without those other names I fear your petition lacks sufficient weight. Are you certain, Count, that if you had also been stationed here and could have spoken with the other troops that they would have joined with you and given their support?
REUSS: The troops stationed here, Madam? To the last man! The entire cavalry has pledged itself to our cause. I believe the entire army of Brandenburg would have inscribed their names.
NATALIA [after a pause]: Then why don’t you dispatch officers to the camps to hand round the petition?
REUSS: Forgive me! Colonel Kottwitz would not approve. He said he did not wish to take any action which could be misconstrued.
NATALIA: What a strange old man he is! First he’s bold and then he’s timid. Fortunately, I’ve just remembered that His Majesty, who is hard pressed by other matters, has commissioned me to send orders to Kottwitz to move here with his troops, since the stables in Arnstein are inadequate. I must sit down and write the orders now. [She sits down and writes.]
REUSS: It’s perfect, Madam! No turn of events could be more favorable to our petition.
NATALIA [while writing]: Then use it to advantage, Count Reuss! [She finishes writing, seals the document, and rises.] Understand, however, that these orders are to remain in your dispatch case for the moment. Do not leave for Arnstein and hand them over to Colonel Kottwitz until I have given you more definite instructions.
[She gives him the orders. A castle guard in Hungarian dress enters.]
GUARD: Madam, the carriage His Majesty ordered is waiting in the courtyard.
NATALIA: Bring it to the door. I’ll be down directly. [Pause, in which she approaches the table deep in thought and puts on her gloves.] Count, would you care to accompany me to the Prince of Homburg, with whom I wish to speak? There is room for you in my carriage.
REUSS: Madam, this honor, indeed . . . ! [He offers her his arm.]
NATALIA [to the ladies-in-waiting]: Dear friends, follow me. Perhaps I shall decide about Colonel Kottwitz’s orders over there.
SCENE 3
Scene: The Prince’s cell.
[The Prince of Homburg hangs his hat on the wall and sits down despondently on cushions spread out on the floor.]
PRINCE: Life, as a dervish once said, is a journey and a short one at that. First we rise six feet above the earth and then lie six feet under. But I now want to settle down somewhere in between. Today a man can carry his head proudly upon his shoulders. By tomorrow it may tremble on his neck and lie the next day at his feet. They say, of course, the sun also shines in the next world and upon brighter fields than ours. It’s only a pity that the eye must rot before it can see such splendors.
SCENE 4
[Enter, Princess Natalia accompanied by Cavalry Captain Reuss and followed by ladies-in-waiting. A courier with a torch precedes them. The Prince.]
COURIER: Her Highness, the Princess of Orange.
PRINCE [rising]: Natalia!
COURIER: Here she comes.
NATALIA [bowing to Reuss]: Kindly leave us for a few moments.
[Reuss and the courier leave.]
PRINCE: My dearest lady.
NATALIA: Dear, good cousin.
PRINCE [leading her forward]: Tell me, what news do you bring? Speak, how do matters stand?
NATALIA: Well, everything’s all right. As I predicted, you’ve been pardoned; you are free. Here is a letter from his hand which will confirm what I’ve said.
PRINCE: It can’t be possible. No! It’s a dream.
NATALIA: Read! Read the letter and see for yourself!
PRINCE [reading]: “My Prince of Homburg. When I placed you under arrest because of your all too premature attack, I believed that I was only doing my duty, and I counted upon your approval. But if you believe that I have treated you unjustly, I beg you to let me know with two words, and I will return your sword to you immediately.”
[Natalia turns pale. Pause. The Prince looks at her questioningly.]
NATALIA [with an expression of sudden joy]: Well, then, there it is. Only two words are necessary. My dear, sweet friend! [She presses his hand.]
PRINCE: My dear Lady!
NATALIA: Oh, what a blissful hour has finally dawned! Here, take the pen, take it and write him!
PRINCE: And this is his signature?
NATALIA: Yes, the letter “F.” It’s his initial. Oh, Lady Bork! Oh, please, everyone be happy. His generosity is boundless as the sea, I knew it! Bring the Prince a chair! He should compose his answer right away.
PRINCE: He says, if I believe . . . ?
NATALIA [interrupting him]: Of course! Hurry up! Sit down! I want to dictate the letter to you. [She places a chair behind him.]
PRINCE: I want to read the letter once again.
NATALIA [tearing the letter out of his hand]: What for? Haven’t you already seen your grave in the churchyard yawning toward you with open jaws? The matter is urgent. Sit down and write!
PRINCE [smiling]: Really, you’re acting as if the grave were about to pounce on me like a panther. [He sits down and picks up his pen.]
NATALIA [She turns away and weeps.]: If you do not wish to make me angry, please write the letter now.
[The Prince rings for a servant. The servant enters.]
PRINCE: Paper and pen, seal and wax.
[The servant, having brought these things, leaves again. The Prince writes. Pause.]
PRINCE [He tears up the letter he has begun and throws it under the table]: A stupid beginning! [He takes another sheet of paper.]
NATALIA [picking up the letter]: What? What did you say? My God, it’s very good; why, it’s excellent!
PRINCE [muttering]: Worthy of a scoundrel not a prince. I must think of another turn of phrase. [Pause. He reaches for the Elector’s letter, which the Princess is holding in her hand.] What is it the letter says?
NATALIA [refusing to give him the letter]: Nothing, nothing at all.
PRINCE: Give it to me.
NATALIA: But you’ve read it already.
PRINCE [seizing it]: So what? I only want to see how I should phrase my answer. [He unfolds the letter and rereads it.]
NATALIA [to herself]: Oh, God of the world! He’s done for.
PRINCE [stunned]: Look, here! His letter is exceedingly strange. You probably overlooked this sentence!
NATALIA: No, I didn’t. Which sentence?
PRINCE: He calls upon me to make the decision myself.
NATALIA: So he does.
PRINCE: Very upright, indeed, very dignified. He’s conducted himself as a person must who has a noble heart.
NATALIA: Oh, my friend, his generosity is without bounds. Now you must do your part and write as he deserves. You see, your answer serves only as the pretext to satisfy an external formality. As soon as he has your words in hand, the whole difficulty is at an end.
PRINCE [putting the letter aside]: No, my love. I want to consider the matter until tomorrow.
NATALIA: I don’t understand you at all. What a turnabout? Why? What for?
PRINCE [Filled with passion, he gets up from the chair.]: I beg you, do not ask me! You have not weighed carefully the contents of the letter. I cannot fulfill the condition he has set me and write him that he treated me unfairly. If you force me to respond now, in my present mood, then, by God, I’ll write him that he’s treated me with perfect justice. [He sits down and, leaning on the table with his arms folded, he contemplates the letter.]
NATALIA [pale]: You madman! What are you saying? [Deeply moved, she bends over him.]
PRINCE [pressing her hand]: Wait a minute! It seems to me . . . [He reflects.]
NATALIA: What did you say?
PRINCE: I think I shall soon know what I have to write.
NATALIA [in anguish]: Homburg!
PRINCE [taking up the pen]: I’m listening . . . what is it?
NATALIA: My dear friend! I admire the impulse that has taken hold of you. But I swear to you that the regiment has already been ordered, and it is resigned to carry out your death sentence
tomorrow. As you stand upon the mound beside your grave, they will fire their muskets and you will disappear from the face of the earth. If you are too noble to deny the verdict of the court, too honorable to contradict it as his letter here demands . . . well, then, I can assure you that he’ll act sublimely and, as matters stand, will have your death sentence carried out completely devoid of mercy.
PRINCE [writing]: It doesn’t matter.
NATALIA: It doesn’t matter?
PRINCE: He is free to act as he pleases; now I must act as befits a prince.
NATALIA [she approaches the Prince in shock.]: You monster! I believe you’ve already composed your answer.
PRINCE [He finishes writing the letter]: “Homburg. Fehrbellin. Dated the twelfth . . .” Yes, I’m finished. Franz! [He places the letter in an envelope and seals it.]
NATALIA: Oh, God in heaven!
PRINCE [rising]: Take this letter to the castle and hand it to His Majesty.
[The servant leaves.]
PRINCE: I can’t act in an ignoble fashion toward a man who has treated me with such nobility. Guilt, grave guilt lies heavily upon me, and I now recognize it. If his forgiveness must depend upon my arguing the issue with him, then I don’t want his pardon.
NATALIA [kissing him]: Take this kiss! And if twelve bullets now dashed you to the ground, I would have to rejoice even as I wept and tell you I approved. However, since you feel free to follow the promptings of your heart, I must be allowed to follow mine as well. Count Reuss!
[The courier opens the door. The Count enters.]
REUSS: Here I am.
NATALIA: Leave for Arnstein with your letter to Colonel Kottwitz. His Majesty commands the regiment to march, and I shall expect it here before midnight.
[They all leave.]
CURTAIN
Act V
SCENE 1
Scene: Room in the castle.
[The Elector, partially dressed, enters from an adjoining room followed by Count Truchss, Count Hohenzollern, and Cavalry Captain von der Goltz. Pages with torches.]
Prince Friedrich of Homburg Page 7