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The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 04
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Ere this the trumpets shall not sound the charge.
[The PRINCE gazes dreamily into space.]
Well, have you got it?
GOLZ (writes). Ere this the trumpets shall not sound the charge.
MARSHAL (in raised tone).
Your Highness has it down?
THE PRINCE. Marshal?
MARSHAL. I asked
If you had writ it down?
THE PRINCE. About the trumpets?
HOHENZOLLERN (aside, with emphatic indignation).
Trumpets be damned! Not till the order—
GOLZ (in the same tone). Not
Till he himself—
THE PRINCE (interrupting). Naturally not, before—
But then he'll let the trumpets sound the
charge.
[He writes. Pause.]
MARSHAL. And I desire—pray note it, Baron Golz—
Before the action opens, to confer
With Colonel Kottwitz, if it can be done.
GOLZ (significantly). He shall receive your message. Rest assured.
[Pause.]
ELECTOR (returning).
What now, my colonels and my generals!
The morning breaks. Have you the orders down?
MARSHAL. The thing is done, my liege. Your battle-plan
Is in all points made clear to your commanders.
ELECTOR (picking up his hat and gloves).
And you, I charge, Prince Homburg, learn control!
Recall, you forfeited two victories
Of late, upon the Rhine, so keep your head!
Make me not do without the third today.
My land and throne depend on it, no less.
[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 passing; as thou hovered'st near
Already from thy horn of plenty thou
Benignantly hast cast me down a pledge.
Child of the gods, 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).
[The PRINCE gazes dreamily into space.]
Well, have you got it?
GOLZ (writes). Ere this the trumpets shall not sound the charge.
MARSHAL (in raised tone).
Your Highness has it down?
THE PRINCE. Marshal?
MARSHAL. I asked
If you had writ it down?
THE PRINCE. About the trumpets?
HOHENZOLLERN (aside, with emphatic indignation).
Trumpets be damned! Not till the order—
GOLZ (in the same tone). Not
Till he himself—
THE PRINCE (interrupting). Naturally not, before—
But then he'll let the trumpets sound the
charge.
[He writes. Pause.]
MARSHAL. And I desire—pray note it, Baron Golz—
Before the action opens, to confer
With Colonel Kottwitz, if it can be done.
GOLZ (significantly). He shall receive your message. Rest assured.
[Pause.]
ELECTOR (returning).
What now, my colonels and my generals!
The morning breaks. Have you the orders down?
MARSHAL. The thing is done, my liege. Your battle-plan
Is in all points made clear to your commanders.
ELECTOR (picking up his hat and gloves).
And you, I charge, Prince Homburg, learn control!
Recall, you forfeited two victories
Of late, upon the Rhine, so keep your head!
Make me not do without the third today.
My land and throne depend on it, no less.
[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 passing; as thou hovered'st near
Already from thy horn of plenty thou
Benignantly hast cast me down a pledge.
Child of the gods, 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).
