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The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 07
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HOTHAM
Your Majesty, I am all astonishment. I have but just learned that the prince is now on a journey to Scotland.
ALL
What's that?
QUEEN
The Prince is not in Berlin?
HOTHAM
While some trustworthy witnesses insist that the Prince was actually here, others again assert that he returned to England the very moment in which he realized that his patriotic interests—the interests of the cotton industry—could not be reconciled with the inclinations of his heart.
KING
And what is the Prince of Baireuth doing here?
HOTHAM
He seeks, as we do, the Prince of Wales, with whom he desires a duel to the death.
[All exclaim.]
KING
A duel? And why?
HOTHAM
Because this poor Prince of a tiny country does not begrudge the heir to a World-Power his fleet, his army, nor his treasures; but he refuses to yield one treasure to him except at the price of his heart's blood—and that treasure is the hand of Princess Wilhelmine, whom he loves. [General emotion.]
KING
Whom he loves? My daughter's hand? But does the Prince of Baireuth understand sword-craft?
[HOTHAM takes off the PRINCE'S cloak and places the helmet on his head. The PRINCE stands there in the uniform of a grenadier of the period. His hair is braided into a long pigtail. He stands motionless in a military attitude.]
KING
What's this I see? The Prince of Baireuth a grenadier?
With—pigtail—and—sword—?
HOTHAM
The equipment of the young recruit of the Glasenapp Regiment. I have the honor to present him to Your Majesty before his departure for Pasewalk.
KING
A German Prince, who deems it an honor to serve up from the ranks in my army? [Commands.] Battalion—left wheel! Battalion—forward march!
[PRINCE executes manoeuvers and marches to WILHELMINE.]
KING
Halt! [To WILHELMINE] Is the enemy yonder disposed to accept the capitulation on this side?
WILHELMINE
Until death!
KING
Entire regiment—right wheel! Forward march—right, left, twenty-one, twenty-two—
[All three march over to the QUEEN who stands to the left of the room.]
KING
Halt!
WILHELMINE AND THE PRINCE (kneeling at the QUEEN'S feet).
Mother!
KING
There was no such order given.
PRINCE
But it was the hearts' impulse.
HOTHAM (good-naturedly, whispering to the QUEEN).
Your Majesty, won't you correct the mistakes of these two young recruits?
QUEEN
Out of my sight, you traitor to your Royal House! Arise, Wilhelmine. [To the KING, hesitating.] But we still have Austria….
KING
But Austria hasn't us. The minions—eh, prince! Tomorrow there'll be dismissals—dismissals and pensionings! Well, mother, shall we take him for a son-in-law?
QUEEN
