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The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 04
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ELECTOR. Well, now?
NATALIE. Oh, uncle dear,
To that I have no answer save my tears!
ELECTOR (in surprise).
Why that, my little girl? What has befallen?
NATALIE (falteringly).
He thinks of nothing now but one thing: rescue!
The barrels at the marksmen's shoulders peer
So ghastly, that, giddy and amazed,
Desire is mute, save one desire: To live.
The whole great nation of the Mark might sink
To wrack mid flare and thunderbolt; and he
Stand by nor even ask: What comes to pass?—
Oh, what a hero's heart have you brought low?
[She turns away, sobbing.]
ELECTOR (utterly amazed).
No, dearest Natalie! No, no, indeed!
Impossible!—He pleads for clemency?
NATALIE. If you had only, only not condemned him!
ELECTOR. Come, tell me, come! He pleads for clemency?
What has befallen, child? Why do you sob?
You met? Come, tell me all. You spoke with him?
NATALIE (pressed against his breast).
In my aunt's chambers but a moment since,
Whither in mantle, lo, and plumèd hat
Stealthily through the screening dusk he came—
Furtive, perturbed, abashed, unworthy all,
A miserable, pitiable sight.
I never guessed a man could sink so low
Whom history applauded as her hero.
For look—I am a woman and I shrink
From the mere worm that draws too near my foot;
But so undone, so void of all control,
So unheroic quite, though lion-like
Death fiercely came, he should not find me thus!
Oh, what is human greatness, human fame!
ELECTOR (confused).
Well, then, by God of heaven and of earth!
Take courage, then, my girl, for he is free!
NATALIE. What, my liege lord?
ELECTOR. I pardon him, I say!
I'll send the necessary word at once.
NATALIE. Oh, dearest, is it really true?
ELECTOR. You heard.
NATALIE. You will forgive him? And he need not die?
ELECTOR. Upon my word! I swear it! How shall I
Oppose myself to such a warrior's judgment?
Within my heart of hearts, as you know well,
I deeply do esteem his inner sense;
If he can say the verdict is unjust,
I cancel the indictment; he is free!
[He brings her a chair.]
Will you sit here and wait a little while?
[He goes to the table, seats himself and writes. Pause.]
NATALIE (softly).
Why dost thou knock so at thy house, my heart?
ELECTOR (writing).
The Prince is over in the Castle?
NATALIE. Pardon!
He has returned to his captivity.
ELECTOR (finishes his letter and seals it; thereupon he returns with the letter to the PRINCESS).
Well, well, my little niece, my daughter, wept!
And I, whose place it is to make her glad
Was forced to cloud the heaven of her fair eyes!
[He puts his arm about her.]
Will you go bring the note to him yourself?
NATALIE. How? To the City Hall?
ELECTOR (presses the letter into her hand).
Why not? Ho, lackeys!
[Enter lackeys.]
