Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PRINCESS OF HANOVER, by MARGARET LOUISA WOODS

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PRINCESS OF HANOVER, by MARGARET LOUISA WOODS Poet's Biography
First Line: Hushed are the houses, the lamps are all sleeping
Last Line: Princess. Blood!—whose blood?
Alternate Author Name(s): Woods, Mrs. Margaret Louisa Bradley
Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Love; Poetry & Poets

PERSONAGES

ERNEST AUGUSTUS, ELECTOR OF HANOVER.
SOPHIA, ELECTRESS OF HANOVER.
GEORGE, ELECTORAL PRINCE OF HANOVER, afterwards George I. of England.
SOPHIA DOROTHEA, ELECTORAL PRINCESS OF HANOVER, daughter of the Duke and
Duchess of Zell. Called by Königsmarck, Léonisse.
THE DUKE OF ZELL, brother of the Elector of Hanover.
THE DUCHESS OF ZELL, formerly Eléonore d'Olbreuse, and morganatic wife of

the Duke.
CLARA VON PLATEN, commonly called Madame Platen, Mistress of the Elector.
ERMINGARDA VON SCHULENBURG, Mistress of the Electoral Prince of Hanover.
PRINCE CHARLES } younger sons of the Elector.
PRINCE MAX } younger sons of the Elector.
PRINCE ERNEST } younger sons of the Elector.
The young PRINCE GEORGE and the little PRINCESS, children of the
Electoral Prince and Princess of Hanover.
PHILIP VON KÖNIGSMARCK, a Swedish nobleman and officer in the Hanoverian

Army.
AURORA VON KÖNIGSMARCK, his sister.
LEONORA VON KNESEBECK, lady-in-waiting to the Electoral Princess of Hanover.

VON MESBACH, a courtier and spy of Madame Platen's.
HILDEBRAND, secretary to Königsmarck.
COUNT VON PLATEN, husband to Madame Platen.
BARONESS VON HEINEBURG, lady-in-waiting to the Electress.
BARON VON BLASEWITZ } Hanoverian courtiers.
COUNTESS VON DUDERSTADT } Hanoverian courtiers.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN } Hanoverian courtiers.
HALBERDIERS.

OVERTURE

The garden of Herrenhausen on a summer evening. A terrace is seen on the left,

with steps descending to the garden and a marble bench below it. The terrace
runs back from the eye, and parallel to it is a view of fountains, formal
alleys, clipped trees and statues. HILDEBRAND is seated on the bench below
the terrace playing upon the lute and singing.

THE BALLAD OF THE MAIDEN AND THE ELFIN LOVER

Hushed are the houses, the lamps are all sleeping,
But the moon, the white moon is awake.
At eve the spinners tell beside the doorway
Of evil spirits and their accursed love,
Fiercer than hate. Close well the curtains,
For the moon—and what beside?—is awake.

Dark and warm the narrow room,
But the gold and silver broom
On the perfumed hills was blowing
When the maiden went there all alone.

Forth she went with swinging hair,
While the moon in heaven's bare
Rode, the vacant pathway showing.
By the shore the maiden walked alone.

Nothing moved but on the sand
Shadows like a dial hand,
Slender shade of feathered sedges,
Broad rock-shadows veering under the moon.

Ere the shadows had moved a span
Waking or sleeping she saw a man,
On the bare and bright sea-edges,
A man of Elfland under the moon.

Yet the maiden had no fear;
Her seemed she had loved him a long year,
Oft had seen him pale for her kisses,
Often looked on him silent for love.

In an hour they knew must end,
All of their hearts they two did spend,
Spent their store of mortal blisses
Spent in an hour the long wonder of love.

When the primrose morning crept
Low along the sky, she slept;
Still in the dark of heaven above her
Small as a jewel hung the glittering moon.

Hushed and wan the morning broke,
Wonderingly the girl awoke,
Saw no more the elfin lover
Nor gentle shadows following the white moon.

In the unsubstantial day
Far off the floating hills were gray,
She looked across the airy water
And idly through her fingers poured the sand.

Suddenly her heart began
To beat, for she saw the steps of a man.
Trembling from the ground she caught her
And followed them along the lonely sand.

They ended where a great stone
Like a ruined tower stood alone.
At the blind gate she marked more clearly
The track, for in every step was blood.

She beat at the stone on every side,
"Let me come to my love!" she cried,
"Let me in, for I love him dearly!"
And, "Who is this that hath shed his heart's blood?"

At length deep in the rock, one said,
Fiercely shrieking, "My love is dead.
I have killed him, accursed mortal."
Laughing, "And I have avenged him. Go thy way."

Fishermen with chants begun
To haul their net in the sparkling sun;
Turning from the closed portal
Silent she stared on them and went her way.

At every step she seemed to feel
Cutting her heart a knife of steel.
Treading slow, as heavy-laden,
Home she came and beat at her father's door.

She turned and saw down the dusty street
Blood in the tracks of her own feet.
Never knew the dead maiden
Whether any opened her father's door.

At eve the spinners tell beside the doorway
Of evil spirits and their accursed love.
[HILDEBRAND goes out, up the garden as he sings.

ACT I.

SCENE I.

The garden at Herrenhausen, with the terrace, as before. The ELECTORAL
PRINCE OF HANOVER, PRINCE CHARLES, and PRINCE MAX come along the terrace.

Electoral Prince. God be thanked that is over!
Prince Max. I should give greater thanks if it had never been. Pork
stew, beef stew, mutton stew, onion pudding, and all served with grease! Bah!
Electoral Prince. I like grease; it is wholesome. It was a good German

dinner and so will I always eat. I hate your French kickshaws. No, I did not
thank God I had got away from dinner, I thanked God I had got away from my
mother. England, always England! But her Highness has never been to England and

I have. They are mad, the English, they have no respect, no etiquette. They
would take off my head with no more ado than if I were a pullet.
Prince Charles. You can give the place to Max if you don't want it.
Prince Max. I would rather have the money.
Electoral Prince. No, no, the money is just what I want. It's the same

cursed business as my marriage. I had to take my wife to get the money, and now

in the end I shall have to take England to get the money.
Prince Charles. Treat England the same way as you have treated your
wife. Take her—and neglect her.
Prince Max. Give me half the money and I'll take both —England and

your wife.
Electoral Prince. I wish I had thought of that before I married. I
believe you would have taken the French Madame's jade of a daughter for less
than half her dowry.
Prince Max. Parbleu! Prince, I would.
Electoral Prince. You're in love with my wife.
Prince Charles. And so am I.
Electoral Prince. But that's nothing.
Prince Max. No, for as every one knows, she is damnably, utterly
heartless, a complete coquette.
Electoral Prince. I don't approve of your flirting with my wife. But if

some one else ran away with her I should be glad, for then I could kill him and

she also would trouble me no more.
Prince Charles. Beware, Electoral Highness! Remember your own precious

existence hangs upon the Princess of Hanover's. Is it not written in the stars
that you yourself must die within a year of your wife? No, no! Whatever happens

you cannot kill Sophie.
Electoral Prince. I cannot even wish her to die. It is a cursed
prophecy, and I would to Heaven I could forget it. I hate my wife, I hate the
Princess of Hanover.
Prince Charles. You are drunk, George.
Electoral Prince. Not very drunk. How can I be? Did you ever taste such

liquor as the Elector gives us? I have ordered some good French wine to the
pavilion yonder and some friends to help drink it. [Goes out.
Prince Charles. Our precious brother!
Prince Max. Our precious elder brother! 'Tis for him we younger sons
are stripped of our rights and dignities, 'tis for his sake that we are
beggared.
[The ELECTOR and ELECTRESS come along the terrace
accompanied by the PRINCESS OF HANOVER and her children, the young PRINCE

GEORGE and the little Princess, ELEONORE, DUCHESS OF ZELL, and ladies and

gentlemen.
Electress. England! I boast my England? I do boast her:
Say to be monarch there's a sovereignty
Sole in a world of thrones. Who governs England
Rules over men.
Elector. Here then what do we, Madam?
Electress. Herd sheep.
Elector. [Sings.]

A doublet green and silken hose,
Rose, rose,
A golden crook as shepherds use
For thee I'll choose—

[Bowing.] Madam, my shepherdess, at your good service—Your
dainty shepherd!
Duchess. [To the ELECTOR.] Highness, your sheep at any rate
Are quiet souls; they'll not cut off your head.
Electress. [Grumbling to herself.]
"Cut off your head!" That's all they know of England.
Elector. Madam Sister, you are right. These English-men
Are treacherous, fierce, like the unstable sea
Caught in perpetual swing of ebb and flow.
"I'll not be Queen of England," quoth the lady,
"Till I've two heads." Sophie, sweet daughterling,
Wilt thou be Queen of England?
Princess. Highness, no,
Not were I hydra-headed. These animals
Would chop me off twenty, spit into their hands
And fall to work on the others.
Electress. Ignorant girl,
Peace! What knowest thou of England?
This my England,
Not fickle, no, nor of a changeable heart,
Nor swift to smite nor timorous in smiting.
She slew her king, majestically slew him.
Less loyal had been less guilty.
Elector. Diantre, your highness! [Takes snuff.
Wonderful woman! This way lies a crown.
Max. In a nettle-bed.
Charles. In a gutter.
Princess. Foul the hands
That are fain of it!
Electress. [To the Princess.] Thou'lt not be Queen of England?
No, for by Heaven that needs a royal heart!
What were it to be Queen of England? Answer,
Shade of the illustrious dead, answer, Elizabeth!
Were it to pack, distil into one brain
The master-thought of millions, in one bosom
To house a love great as a million loves
And manifold as they; one word, "My people,"
Being in your mouth, what mother, spouse, child, lover
Mean upon other lips—your soul's main utterance
And key to your entire life?
Then comes the reward.
Consider it, women, you whose happiness
Is lightly blown from ephemeral joy to joy,
Maidenhood, beauty, motherhood, ere it fall
Unwinged and spent with half your years. Consider
What 'twere to be a Queen,
A Queen of men, not marketable serfs.
Perchance you lean out from your balcony
One spring day, in the prime and rapture of youth,
And mark the immense crowd billowing beneath,
A sea of worshipping eyes, a ripple of hands
Claiming you theirs, lifting you to the height
Of their hearts' throne—all fathers, lovers, friends,
All yours and yours for ever.
These are the Immortals,
Not to be changed by mutability
Of the inconstant blood, or alienated
By circumstance, or in the unfeeling grave
To slumber careless.
You the years will change,
The small mechanic hours, you will grow old,
Dim-hearted, cinder-grey, will drop your playthings
One after one—Ay, but on any day
Choose you come forth, outstretching crooked hands,
Like those youth mocks, whispering with faded mouth
Such as men scorn, "My people"—and lo, the Immortals!
A sea of worshipping eyes, a ripple of hands
Claiming you with the old rapture, lifting you
To the height of their hearts' throne, yours as in youth,
Yours on through age to death, sons, lovers, friends.
—This were for her that had a queen's heart.
Princess. I
Have a woman's, madam. Truly one man's love,
One honourable love, would more content me
Than all your multitude's.
Max. [Aside to the PRINCESS.] Adorable Sophie!
[To the ELECTRESS.] Your Queen Elizabeth was a dry old maid,
Was she not?
Electress. Boy, you talk like a girl.
Charles. You, mother,
Not like a Stuart. Whose heads have they cut off,
This people?—Stuart heads.
The crown's a Stuart's—I'd rather die defending it
Than live to wear't a usurper.
Elector. Ay, ay, Charles,
Thou speakest well. I also love them not,
These English. Still, money must be considered.
Thou hast an excellent, shrewd, well-judging mother: Respect her, Charles.
[To the young PRINCE GEORGE.]
Come hither, George, now come to Grandpapa.
Wilt thou be King of England, a rich King
With barrels of gold?
Young Prince. That I will, Grandpapa!
Elector. What would'st thou do with it?
Young Prince. Buy beer and wood.
Elector. Wood? Donnerwetter! Why would'st thou buy wood?
Young Prince. To burn my books with. Hey, what a fine bonfire!
We'd all eat pepper-cakes, and drink and drink
Till we were like the Prince, my father.
[The ELECTOR laughs uproariously.
Princess. Chut!
Duchess. Fi donc!
Electress. Peace, foolish boy, and mind thy book,
If thou would'st be a King.
Elector. Bah! they are women.
What do they know of Kings? But thou and I
Are men. Come, Georgie! thou and Grandpapa
Shall set the fountain dragons all a-spirt.
There's fun for us!
[As they begin to move off the terrace the ELECTORAL PRINCE GEORGE
meets them. He has been drinking.
Prince. I don't want you, any of you. I want my Ermingarda. Where is my
Schulenburg? She should meet me here on the terrace.
Princess. Highness! Grandfather! You hear the Prince? [She bursts
into tears.
Electress. George, you forget yourself. You also, Princess.
Elector. [Going out and pushing the ELECTORAL PRINCE before
him.] Lout! Wilt thou never learn manners?
[They all move off the terrace. As they go out KÖNIGSMARCK
and HILDEBRAND pass in the garden below, playing the lute and
singing—

Hushed are the houses, the lamps are all sleeping,
But the moon, the white moon is awake.
At eve the spinners tell beside the doorway
Of evil spirits and their accursed love,
Fiercer than hate.

[They go further away in the garden. MADAME PLATEN and ERMINGARDA

VON SCHULENBURG come along the terrace.
E. v. Schulenburg. The Prince is not yet here. Nay, that is well.
Madame Platen. Ay, for you're well assured the Prince will come.
But the Elector? Where is he? Walking with the Princess!
Toying with his grandson, calling her sweet names,
"Sophiechen," "daughterling"! Ernest Augustus
Forgets he has a mistress, one who hath surely
Some claim on his attention.
E. v. Schulenburg. Do not fear,
'Tis a most generous prince. You'll not lack money,
Madam, whatever happens.
Madame Platen. Money, Ermingarda!
Art thou a sloth, a marmot? Canst not hate,
Not even hate the Princess?
E. v. Schulenburg. [Eating caramels.] Why should I hate her?
The Prince does. He loves me.
Madame Platen. But she hates both,
Hates you and me and every day dishonours us
With ignominious terms, indecorous,
Unmeet for noblewomen—concubines,
Harpies, no name so foul but she dare fling it,
The brat of Zell!
E. v. Schulenburg. Pfui! 'Tis her jealousy,
Because the power is ours.
Madame Platen. Ours, Ermingarda,
To-day, but how long ours? The Princess of Hanover
Is mother of the heir, the sly Frenchwoman's daughter.
E. v. Schulenburg. What can she do? The Prince has all her money.
Madame Platen. Money! Do you desire nothing but money?
I found thee a brave young Prince for a lover, girl.
Tell me, dost thou not love him?
Is it not sweet to love?
E. v. Schulenburg. Pfui! What is love? Nonsense, I say.
Madame Platen. There's not a drop of blood
In all your waxen body; you cannot hate,
No, nor love either! But between us two,
Me and my foe, Princess of Hanover,
There is a mortal hate; it burns, it grows,
It cannot be assuaged unless by ruin,
By death, by triumph, it cannot have an end Except——
[KÖNIGSMARCK and HILDEBRAND are heard singing in the
garden—

They ended where a great stone
Like a ruined tower stood alone.
At the blind gate she marked more clearly
The track, for in every step was blood.

Madame Platen. Hark! Who is that?
E. v. Schulenburg. 'Tis some young gentlemen
Studying their music.
Madame Platen. O be silent! Listen!

KÖNIGSMARCK sings—

She beat at the stone on every side.
"Let me come to my love," she cried;
"Let me in, for I love him dearly,"
And "Who is this that hath shed his heart's blood?"

Madame Platen. That voice! Ay, surely!
My Ermingarda, I implore of thee go,
Look, tell me who they are singing in the garden.
[SCHULENBURG leans over the balustrade of the terrace, looking;
KÖNIGSMARCK, singing, more in the distance.

At length deep in the rock one said,
Fiercely shrieking, "My love is dead.
I have killed him, accursed mortal."
Laughing, "And I have avenged him. Go thy way."

E. v. Schulenburg. 'Tis the handsome Count, Madam; it is
Königsmarck.
Madame Platen. [Throwing her arms round SCHULENBURG.]
Ermingarda!
E. v. Schulenburg. Heavens! What is the matter with you?
Madame Platen. I love him,
E. v. Schulenburg. You mean Königsmarck?
Madame Platen. Ermingarda,
Listen, I entreat. You surely are my friend,
Not thankless, nor a compelled sycophant—
No, but my friend.
Hold me, embrace me closer!
Yes, I do love him—Philip!—Königsmarck!
O brave lips blessed in the utterance!
Philip! They kiss themselves upon the name.
E. v. Schulenburg. But you have the Elector——
Madame Platen. Yes, I have the Elector!
Old, negligent; but let her not count upon him,
My triumphing enemy!
E. v. Schulenburg. What if he discovered——?
Madame Platen. He'll not discover. Well, and if he did?
You think I dare not win my love, I dare not
Wear Philip on my heart, superbly wear him For the world to see?
Dare I not? Ah, dear God!
E. v. Schulenburg. Madam, let me advise you.
Madame Platen. What do you advise,
Girl? The continuance of the old routine?
Power! Money!
You suppose that having won them,
Having assured them, we are satisfied?
I thought so, too, at your age. Then I wondered
What 'twas I lacked—and then came Königsmarck.
E. v. Schulenburg. What made you love him?
Madame Platen. Why do you ask? Your eyes alone can answer
What is beyond dispute.
E. v. Schulenburg. His sister Aurora
Is also beautiful. Why does she come here?
Madame Platen. Why does he come here?
Answer me that, Ermingarda.
E. v. Schulenburg. Surely, madam,
You are sufficient cause.
Madame Platen. Dear flattery!
I did imagine it once——Without a word,
Suddenly he departed; unannounced
He has returned, but cold, preoccupied
Like a philosopher. Who has transformed him?
What magic altered? Who unqualitied
The amorous Königsmarck?
E. v. Schulenburg. Some black Venetian
Met in a mask, her hair dyed red.
Madame Platen. The Princess.
E. v. Schulenburg. The Princess of Prussia? What!
Consoled already
With a new amour?
Madame Platen. Prussia! Who talked of her?
There's but one princess, one in all the world
For me, my enemy—the Princess of Hanover.
[KÖNIGSMARCK is in the garden with his back to the terrace, playing

on a lute. MADAME PLATEN advances to the balustrade, and leans over it.
There's but one man that ever I did weigh
Against a ducat! Put him now in the balance
Against the pearls of the East, an argosy,
Throw monarchs in, even magnificent France
Himself—my Philip, yet thou shouldst outweigh them!
I love thee; and thou dare'st, thou dare'st love her!
E. v. Schulenburg. Madam, the whole of this is midsummer madness.
I speak as a friend. If you will accuse the Princess
Of a lover, find a likelier—one of the Princes,
Not Königsmarck. Madam, your passion for him
Is a ruinous folly, natural in a girl,
But in a woman of your age, experience——
Madame Platen. My age! So thou must taunt me with my years,
Thou baby-face!
Most true, my Königsmarck,
I bring thee not that bubble filled with fancy,
The heart of a girl, that cold and flimsy bubble.
A wine-red ruby, an orbed jewel of flame
I bring thee, a woman's heart, Clara von Platen's.
I come to thee
Clothed in the purple of my regnant years,
Crowned with the diadem of men's vain desires,
I bring thee all I am,
Princes my vassals, kings my flatterers—
Would thou hads't known me
In the old days!
Would that thy heart had been
One of the million then I stole!
Cursed fortune
To have been so wealthy once to buy things worthless,
Now to stand thus, pitiful, counting my store.
Well, then, I count it! I say it is enough.
Time has not conquered me, but I come conquering,
Laden with the spoil of years.
I love thee, Königsmarck. Mine shalt thou be.
Look not again on her.
Never again look thou upon the Princess.
Think'st thou none can observe, none understand?
I know thou lovest her.
Forget her—or remember her at thy peril,
Thy deadly peril, for by omnipotent God,
Never will I abandon thee
—Königsmarck, the power is mine—
To the arms of her my abhorred enemy.
Darest thou yet love her?
She shall die and thou
Even thou, the young, beloved, adored, thou also
Shalt die—for I will kill thee, Königsmarck.
[KÖNIGSMARCK and HILDEBRAND sing in the garden below.

Forth she came with swinging hair,
While the moon in heaven's bare
Rode, the vacant pathway showing—

[PRINCESS OF HANOVER and the DUCHESS OF ZELL appear at the
further end of the terrace from PLATEN and SCHULENBURG, followed at a
distance by LEONORA V. KNESEBECK, then PRINCE CHARLES and AURORA
approach KÖNIGSMARCK in the garden below and speak with him.
HILDEBRAND goes away.
E. v. Schulenburg. Yonder's the Princess; the Prince then will not come
here.
I am going, madam, will you not go with me?
Madame Platen. If I can find some insult that pricks deep
I'll stay and meet them.
—Nay, I am weary,
My head is heavy. I'll not meet them now.
[E. v. SCHULENBURG and MADAME PLATEN go out. The DUCHESS and
the PRINCESS advance along the terrace.
Princess. I will not weep. How vain and vain are tears!
I would unpitying Death were won with tears,
Even as compassionate Sleep.
She is worn Sorrow's nurse, whose breathing bosom
And quiet arms upgather in the night
What unassuaged griefs, what hoarse despairs!
Duchess. My little Sophie! Always so impetuous!
You exaggerate, my dear, for what in sum
Makes your despair? Your husband is unfaithful.
Why, so are thousands, millions of common men,
Princes invariably.
Princess. Was my father unfaithful?
Duchess. Your father married me for love——
Princess. Not money?
Dear heaven, had you been ignorant of love!
But no, you two had loved, you had been happy,
'Tis I must pay the price of your ambition.
Duchess. Forgive——
Princess. Thou, mother, needest no forgiveness.
Who never sinned but of necessity.
Duchess. Compelled, I brought thee to an abhorred bridal,
Yielding thy cherished youth to a house of hate.
Princess. Accursed day!
Duchess. Enough of wasteful grief! Rejoice, my daughter,
Because thou hast conquered ancient enmity.
The Electress holds thee dear——
Princess. Or pities me.
Duchess. The Elector prizes thee beyond his mistress,
Who chokes with her own venom.
Princess. [Laughing.] Fattens on it,
Visibly, madam.
Duchess. There's my own dear daughter!
Say, my sweet love, is there no pleasure in life?
Gaiety and laughter,
Jewels, the dance, hast thou forgot to love them?
Princess. I am often merry,
I can drink deep of joy, but Happiness——
Hush! What a sinister word! If any utter it
At festivals it falls as hollowly
As when a stone drops echoing down a well,
Hinting of deep, deep darkness and drowned things
Far underneath——
Duchess. My child, you are not yourself.
Princess. When Pierrot wore his face at carnival time
They cried, "What a bad mask!"
LEONORA V. KNESEBECK. [Approaching.] Pardon me, madam,
Yonder Prince Charles comes with Count Königsmarck
And his late arrived sister.
[KÖNIGSMARCK and PRINCE CHARLES, preceded at a
little distance by AURORA, come up the garden below to the terrace.
Königsmarck. Charles, she was weeping!
Charles. Only the usual tale; the unmannered beast,
Her husband, flouts her with his Schulenburg.
Königsmarck. Were he not your brother—
Charles. Pray, no delicacy
On that account—
Königsmarck. I'd cut his heart out.
Charles. Na!
This is fool's talk, Philip.
Königsmarck. Had you but known her,
The darling child that I, that every one
Protected! God! This mouth has kissed the blood
From her scratched finger——
Aurora. [From the terrace steps.] I am waiting for you, Highness
and brother.
Charles. Pardon, most fair lady!
[They go on to the terrace where the PRINCESS OF HANOVER and
the DUCHESS OF ZELL are standing. PRINCE CHARLES presents AURORA to

them. They all talk together, walking on the terrace, but presently the
PRINCESS and KÖNIGSMARCK stand apart from the others. HILDEBRAND
is singing out of sight.

HILDEBRAND sings:

Nothing moved but on the sand
Shadows like a dial hand,
Slender shade of feathered sedges,
Broad rock shadows veering under the moon

Ere the shadows had moved a span
Waking or sleeping she saw a man,
On the bare and bright sea-edges
A man of Elfland under the moon.

Yet the maiden had no fear,
Her seemed she had loved him a long year,
Oft had seen him pale for her kisses,
Often looked on him silent for love.

Königsmarck. The sunshine on the old grey castle wall,
The autumnal ochre reeds in the blue moat——
Princess. Where in a row ridiculous white ducks
Would stand on their heads—until a pebble hit them——
Königsmarck. Flung by a certain little hand——
Princess. No, no!
That I deny. I might throw, I hit nothing.
Yours was the stone and yours the ducks and drakes;
Ten or a dozen, all along the moat,
You used to make. How I did envy them!
Königsmarck. Let me be hasty
To seize the opportune moment, since your Highness
Deigns to review those dim and minor passages
In her rich memory. Humbly I beseech her—
What is the offence
That has estranged now, since I came to Hanover,
One who were else unaltered?
Princess. Noble Count,
If I have failed in courtesy, seemed ungracious,
Impute it to a mind distract——
Königsmarck. Your Highness
Has never failed. Again I ask my offence
—Thus, on my knee.
Princess. My lord, the place is public.
You ask? A bitter and declared enemy
Fronted me the first hour I came to Hanover,
Into a house of enemies. Well, this woman
Stands yet encamped against me. She is powerful,
Wealthy, while I—I can forgive the herd
Fawning upon her, but when my playfellow,
Friend of my too short years of happiness——
I mean when you, Count Königsmarck, appear
As the satellite of that unshamed harlot
Whom I justly abhor, that infamous harpy
Who shares my spoils to pay her——
Königsmarck. Madam, hear me——
Princess. Philip of Königsmarck, is it possible
I can believe that once sincere affection
Stands in the record of your memory?
Königsmarck. Madam,
You must believe it.
How should I be cognisant
Of your court politics? When I met this lady
By accident, ignorant of her name and country,
I found her fair enough, witty enough
To wile the casual hour. When she invited me
To Hanover, where I had other business,
Perchance I deemed, learning her paramount,
Her friendship serviceable. Yet from the day
I knew her what she was, arch enemy
Where I owed worship, Madam, I have shown the Countess Bare courtesy.
Now, body of Bacchus!
I'll talk no more with her. No, may I perish
If I exchange a word——!
Princess. [Laughing.] Still so impetuous!
Königsmarck, are you yet a boy? Who'd suffer
Should you offend grossly this paramount.
Lady of Hanover? Not you, Sir Wanderer,
Who pitch your gay pavilion here or there;
No, but myself.
She would divine, and if she did divine—
Why, I must lose a friend—
For we are friends again, are we not?
Königsmarck. Madam!
Princess. Propitiate her then.
Königsmarck. And serve my Sovereign.
Thus let me seal our pact and my own pardon
On the same little hand——
Princess. [To the DUCHESS, who approaches, followed by the
rest of the party.] Madam, we have quarrelled
In the old way and have been reconciled.

SCENE II.

A ball-room at the Palace. The ELECTOR and ELECTRESS, the three
younger PRINCES, the PRINCESS dressed as Flora in a simple white dress,

with carnations: the DUCHESS OF ZELL; the DUKE OF ZELL dancing with
MADAME PLATEN, who is magnificently attired and covered with jewels.
KÖNIGSMARCK, AURORA, ERMINGARDA V. SCHULENBURG, COUNTESS V. DUDERSTADT,
BARON V. BLASEWITZ, and other courtiers.

First Lady. What is it, gracious Countess?
First Gentleman. Who is it, honoured madam?
Second Lady. A scandal, a scandal! Tell us instantly, dear Countess.
Second Gentleman. We have not tasted scandal for forty-eight hours. We

are dying.
Countess v. Duderstadt. My lips are sealed.
First Lady. Is it about the Princess of Prussia and the little dancing-

master?
Second Gentleman. You are mightily behind the times,
Madam. That was over six weeks ago.
Second Lady. Or about a certain very great person and the
Platen's waiting-maid? There was the devil to pay!
Second Gentleman. Ay, but it was the waiting-maid paid him. The
Elector——
Countess. No, I thank God I listen to no scandal that concerns any true

member of our gracious princely family, any true princess.
First Lady. Then it's the Princess of Hanover!
All. Ah!
First Gentleman. Has she at length rewarded the passion of Prince Max?
Second Lady. Or boxed his ears?
Second Gentleman. Or conspired with him?
Countess. I don't wonder none of you can guess.
All. Gracious Countess! Dear lady! Tell us—you must indeed.
Countess. Ma foi! ladies and gentlemen, I see I must oblige you, since

the Baron will not. Yesterday the Electoral Princess, being as so commonly
happens——
Baron v. Blasewitz. Indisposed and unable to dine at the princely
table——
Countess. A strange sort of indisposition truly, for when our gracious

Electress——
Blasewitz. Who is always so amiable, so mild, repairs to the Princess's

apartments——
Countess. Where do you think she finds her? In bed?
Blasewitz. No, her Highness was not in bed. I deeply grieve to say that

her Highness was——
Ladies and Gentlemen. Where? Where?
Blasewitz. Unheard of! Disgraceful!
First Lady. Where was she?
Countess. On the floor,
Blasewitz. Yes, on her hands and knees.
Countess. Playing with the Electoral children.
First Lady. Quelle horreur!
Second Lady. Est il possible!
First Gentleman. Monstrous!
Second Gentleman. The floor! It was low, undeniably.
Baron v. Blasewitz. And it is in such manners that the heir of Hanover

will be brought up!
First Lady. What was to be expected from such a marriage?
Countess. Yes, indeed! The daughter of the French Madame!
Princess of Hanover. [To the ELECTOR.]
Your Highness will not dance with me? You must, Grandpapa!
Elector. Sophie, you are laughing at me.
Princess. Laugh at the Elector! See, my father's dancing
With the Countess Platen. That's to please you, Highness,
Dance with his daughter to please him.
Elector. Sophiechen,
I'll put thee off with a proxy.
Count of Königsmarck,
Approach!
Königsmarck. At your Highness' service.
Elector. We command you
To become our deputy, and personating
Most personably ourselves, to lead the Princess
Forth to the dance.
Königsmarck. Highness, I am all obedience
And gratitude for undeserved honour.
[To the PRINCESS.] Madam, I await the moment——
[He bows and withdraws.
Max. Honoured Father,
Are there not princes here, young, personable——
Elector. And damnable bad dancers. Keep your breath
To cool your porridge, when you get it, Max.
Electress. You amaze me, gracious Prince! Truly, odd couples
You have contrived! To choose your princely son
Were more conformable——
Elector. To etiquette.
Potztausend, Madam! Are you such a Christian
You'll not allow me vex my Platen, eh?
[He goes to speak to MADAME PLATEN, who has finished dancing.
Duchess. [To the PRINCESS.] Is Flora so enamoured
Of her own beauty? Or when she laughs in a mirror
Is it for other eyes, more circumspect,
Or, as is very probable, unallured?
Princess. Madam?
Duchess. The Elector chooses Platen's lover——
Princess. No!
Duchess. But I say she owns it—out of malice
To be your cavalier. 'Twill much amaze him,
Ay, and chagrin, to see his darling daughter
Ogling the fortunate swain—Platen and she
Pulling caps before the court for the same gallant.
How all the world will smile!
Königsmarck. [Approaching.] Highness, permit me. I hear the
summoning music.
[The PRINCESS, haughtily and in silence, accepts his hand, and they

dance.
A Gentleman. The Princess looks her loveliest.
Another Gentleman. Beautiful
In pure simplicity!
Mesbach. Bah! Affectation!
Second Lady. She would be still pretty were she not a Princess.
Her Daughter. Mother, our jewels are nought. I'll wear carnations
And a white dress another day: they're perfect.
What a splendid cavalier! Is he a prince, Madam?
Second Lady. No, but a Swede, wealthy and noble.
Handsome enough. Look not so long upon him,
He is a snare for eyes—the Countess Platen
Cannot remove hers from him.
Daughter. Out upon her!
She is as old as you.
Princess. [To KÖNIGSMARCK, with whom she is dancing.]
Count Königsmarck,
You held my hand too long; observe the music.
Platen. [To SCHULENBURG.]
O, but my heart will burst!
I am enraged beyond measure with the Elector.
Is he mad to give Königsmarck to the Princess?
Schulenburg. No, but he is jealous.
Platen. That for his jealousy!
She shall not have him, not though the fool Elector
Thrust him into her arms. I'll choose damnation
Rather than yield him. Child, what will you wager?
My diamonds, girl—I am primed to dare the devil—
Against your necklet, Königsmarck is mine,
Mine before morning.
Schulenburg. But I love not wagers,
Because they are never certain.
Platen. This one shall be.
The Electress. [To PRINCE CHARLES.]
I want no coward son, yet be persuaded,
Charles, here's no place for honourable swords.
Enough the Emperor has his Hanoverians,
Bought by the hundred; shall a prince, a brave one,
Ay, and a dear, be thrown him at a bargain,
To complete the tale?
Charles. Mother, I would be gone.
The Elector is unjust—not even contented
With having robbed us of the inheritance,
He grudges at us. I'll build myself a throne
Of savage scimitars, or else I'll take them
In my appeased heart.
In truth I am sorry
Königsmarck will not join.
Persuade him, Madam.
[While he is speaking KÖNIGSMARCK approaches, conducting
the PRINCESS to her seat. The ELECTRESS beckons them to her.
Electress. [Indicating CHARLES.] My daughter, all our prayers,
Our prodigal persuasions, here fall barren.
Charles will go fight the Turks. God knows why fight 'em,
For none of us do. I am but his mother—
Have you no eloquence to turn his purpose?
Princess. All is exhausted, Madam, the Prince is adamant.
Electress. Then turn it elsewhere.
Count of Königsmarck,
Since our dear son, the well-beloved brother
Of a Princess to whom former benefits
And honourable friendship make you bounden,
Since he will go upon this dangerous business,
We pray you, a man older, more war-experienced,
Hardier than he, to accompany our prince.
Reap laurels for yourself, assist his youth
To reap them too, and above all, Königsmarck,
Bring him safe home again.
Königsmarck. [To the PRINCESS.] Do I understand,
Highness, you join yourself to this requirement?
Princess. I do, my lord.
Königsmarck. The more must be my sorrow,
Electoral Highnesses, that my private business
Renders it difficult, I may say impossible,
To obey commands which should command obedience.
Electress. At least consideration.
Königsmarck. Pardon me, Highness.
I cannot go.
Electress. You have permission, sir,
To retire.
[To CHARLES.] Your friend smacks of the savage North—
Esau, in a smooth Italian Jacob-skin.
Charles. 'Tis a mettled courser. He who'd manage Königsmarck
Must bear light on the rein.
Aurora. Nothing so becomes
A Königsmarck as anger. Philip, my compliments!
You are exceeding handsome.
Königsmarck. What? Damnation!
Your pardon, sister, I am a mere Northman,
One that was never apt to fawn and smile
Where he has had offence.
Aurora. Who has offended you?
Königsmarck. The Electress.
Aurora. How, dear brother?
Königsmarck. She commands
As easily as 'twere a ball-room compliment—
"Pick up my fan," or "Hand my scent-bottle——"
"Go to the Morea." I am not her subject,
No, nor the Elector's hired mercenary,
Following the honourable art of war
As 'twere a trade. I am a gentleman,
And one that very hardly owns allegiance
To any King who crosses him——
Aurora. Yet, brother,
Our shrewd Electress may have excellent reasons
For wishing you in the Morea, at Kamschatka,
Anywhere, in short. Your visits to the Princess
Pass unobserved of the world, you being accompanied
Always by a young Prince of known devotion
To her. Yet something may be perceptible
To this old, hard, well-judging woman.
Königsmarck. What?
Aurora. You adore the Princess, she——
Königsmarck. [Laughing bitterly.] Say that she loves me!
Aurora. I wonder that she should. What women see——!
Königsmarck. Love? That capricious, haughty, cold coquette!
True she has called me "friend," has let her gaze
Melt in my own an instant: that was Wednesday.
To-night she treats me like a dog. By Heaven,
I'll make no woman's pastime, were she Empress
Of the Indies!
Madame Platen. [Approaching.] Count, you have outshone yourself!
Not Flora, no, nor Venus' self were worthy
To tread the dance with Königsmarck.
Königsmarck. [Bowing.] Fair Countess—
Yet Venus did abandon Königsmarck
To-night for a weightier cavalier. By Venus,
It was unkindly done!
Platen. Flatterer!
Yet not Adonis to his divine lover
Was colder, Königsmarck, than you to a friend.
Well, we play high at Monplaisir. Young gentlemen
Of a prudent disposition do avoid us,
Having emptied a purse or two——
Königsmarck. Body of Bacchus!
I am not such. I'll treble all your stakes
To-night if you will——
Platen. Oh, 'tis a revel to-night!
God knows what you would think—
Königsmarck. For what do you take me?
A puling girl?
Platen. You have a girl's complexion.
Königsmarck. My looks belie my age and disposition,
If you speak truth. To-night, then, at Monplaisir.
Platen. Nay, softly, in your ear. Not at Monplaisir.
To-night we sup at the Castle behind the Mill,
I and some intimates. Do you know the place?
An old, grey, solitary tower, private
And homely. You will come?
Königsmarck. Madam, my sister
Rode hither in my coach——
Platen. Let her return
Without you. Come! I am alone in mine
And frightened in the dark.
Königsmarck. I will be with you.
Platen. [Aside to SCHULENBURG.]
What did I say? If Königsmarck is mortal
I win—I win—I win!
Schulenburg. But not my necklet.
I would not take your wager. Hush! They are going.
[The Electoral party go out, followed by the rest of the Court.
Platen. [To KÖNIGSMARCK.] Shall we go?
Königsmarck. [Offering his hand.]
To the Castle behind the Mill!
[They go out laughing. The hall is left empty except for lacqueys, who
begin putting out the lights. HILDEBRAND comes in looking for
KÖNIGSMARCK's lute, which is left in a corner of the hall. He takes it up

and sings. The lights are put out one by one as he leaves the hall singing—

Suddenly her heart began
To beat, for she saw the steps of a man.
Trembling from the ground she caught her
And followed them along the lonely sand.

They ended where a great stone
Like a ruined tower stood alone,
At the blind gate she marked more clearly
The track, for in every step was blood.

SCENE III.

The PRINCESS'S apartment, with windows opening on to a balcony. PRINCE
MAX, AURORA VON KÖNIGSMARCK and other ladies and gentlemen sitting and
standing round the window and in the balcony. KÖNIGSMARCK, haggard and

carelessly dressed, leaning over the balcony. The PRINCESS within the room,

half reclining on a couch. LEONORA VON KNESEBECK at her side. The noise of
an assembling crowd comes up from below.

A Young Lady. And shall we see Prince Charles at the head of all his
soldiers?
Prince Max. No my child, they will show us only the ones that are fit
to be shown. My brother is taking the ugliest men in Germany with him to
frighten the Turks. That is why Monsieur de Königsmarck and I are not
going.
Königsmarck. Diantre, Prince! How do you know Monsieur de
Königsmarck is not going?
Prince Max. Because you have a loose garter, a soiled ruffle, and your

cravat awry. This is the trim of a lover, but it is not one my father would
suffer in a Hanoverian soldier.
Königsmarck. I do not dress to please you or any other prince.
Prince Max. No, nor princess either—but to please the young, the
fair, the virtuous lady of Monplaisir.
A Lady. And of the Castle behind the Mill.

Enter PRINCE ERNEST.

Prince Ernest. Ladies and gentlemen, if you are not tired of waiting
yet you will be presently. There is some delay, God knows what, and Prince
Charles bids me tell you it will be another hour before the troops will be ready

to march. Meantime I would have you know there is a Frenchman here with the
prettiest performing dogs that ever I saw; and if you will do me the favour to
come to my apartments, where they now are, I promise you shall weep for
laughing. [Aside to the PRINCESS.] Sister, Charles desires one more word
with you before he leaves, and would not find you with company.
Prince Max. Well thought on, boy! To the dogs, to the dogs! Sister, you

must come too. This will be a cure for the migraine.
Princess. I thank you, brother, I will stay here. I am not well.
Prince Ernest. Indeed you do look pale. Gracious ladies, noble
gentlemen, I invite the whole company to my apartments.

SCENE IV.

The same. The PRINCESS on the couch. LEONORA VON KNESEBECK.

Leonora. [With solicitude.] Madam, can I do nothing?
Princess. Nothing, Leonora.
[LEONORA retires to an embroidery frame, and works. KONIGSMARCK
enters unannounced and stands beside the door. The PRINCESS opens her
eyes, sees him, then starts up on the couch.
Princess. You here? What do you want, my lord?
Königsmarck. A jewel
I have lost, Madam.
[LEONORA rises and goes on to the balcony, as though seeking for the

jewel. KÖNIGSMARCK remains standing by the door.
Königsmarck. [Suddenly.] By Heaven, I want no jewel!
I want one word of pardon.
Princess. Pardon, Count?
You sin, but who would dare affirm you sin
Against me?
Königsmarck. I could answer all my sins,
The ignoble common sins of all my life
Were against you.
There's answer more immediate.
You have an enemy: being ignorant of it,
I was her friend.
You have a mortal enemy. I—O treason
Mortal beyond her hate!—I am her lover.
Princess. Is this your news, my lord?
Why, it is old, older than yesterday.
Königsmarck. Yesterday? Older than a hundred years.
Were we not friends before?
Princess. Perchance we were.
Well-counselling Time brings us considered changes.
You do wisely,
Having to choose between my crowned nullity
And her substantial power, to set your fortune
Where it may most abound.
Sir, you do wisely.
I am a shadow, not a woman, a slave,
Or God knows what, for if I were a woman—
Young fair women
Are loved when first men marry them, but I
Was always hated.
It seems you have no affection for me. Well,
Why should you have? My father does not love me,
Or even pity now. Yet you remember,
Formerly he adored me.
My very mother has denied me mercy,
And God and man alike are grown incapable
Of care for one made a mysterious outcast
From those deep laws and charities of love
Which do protect our souls.
Farewell, my lord:
It is most natural that you also leave me.
Königsmarck. Madam—dear lady—
Pray you, most dear lady, be comforted.
Some of us have done ill. The unworthy Prince—
We are all unworthy—yet there's Charles, your brother,
And the Elector favours you——
Princess. The Elector
Is clay in Platen's hand: ay, the same Platen
Who is your mistress too.
Königsmarck. Highness, have mercy——
Princess. Mock me not with the terms of royalty—
Her prisoner!
I only asked reprieve.
The smart of wrong, the sleepless haunting passion
And ever-during madness of my misery,
Make me to fear. I ask a moment's shelter
From the storm and driving ruin of my soul;
The anodyne of an old quiet castle,
Home and familiar things.
But the wise, good Platen
Counsels I shall not go—and she's omnipotent.
She'll not consent I breathe an instant air
Untainted by her presence, live one hour
Forgetful of her and her friends.
What make you,
Königsmarck, here with me? Go, you have chosen,
You have done wisely, you are prudent.
Königsmarck. No!
I am a monster, but not prudent, no!
A madman happier bound and scourged with iron
Than free to his own madness.
Say I am infamous,
But never say of Königsmarck, "he was wise."
Princess. What else? You love this woman?
Königsmarck. Platen? Gods!
Princess. Yet you are Platen's lover. I cannot understand—
Königsmarck. Do not, my Princess.
Yet could you understand! O for some word
Sharper than knives, more strong than forked lightning
That tears the iron heart of the oak, so might I
Show you my naked soul, and you forever
Must apprehend it yours!
There's no such word,
Only such syllables as men have lied with
From immemorial time, and credulous women
Have brought into contempt.
I'll not defend myself.
I would die for you and know you'll not believe it.
Princess. O speak, and I will hear you!
Königsmarck. Shall I speak?
Then 'tis yourself, your all but perfect self
And the one blot on your brightness I accuse.
You are capricious past all privilege
Of womankind, your moods are more inconstant
Than the chameleon's colour, more deceiving
Than April sun, the sharp wind's playfellow.
Princess. I am capricious, proud, most blameworthy.
Königsmarck. I said so?
Princess. It is true.
Königsmarck. O what a villain!
Do not forgive me!
Never pardon me.
[The PRINCESS is weeping, KÖNIGSMARCK kneels beside her and

kisses her hands. PRINCE CHARLES has entered, and stands looking at them.
Charles. Never on your life!
Put enmity, calumnious words, revenge
Between you, but not pardon.
To whom shall I speak?
Which of you entreat, saying, "Forbear to ruin
One whom I love so well?"
Königsmarck, my sister has no consolation
For all her sad youth, loveless, uncherished,
But innocence.
She has no arms against her mortal enemy
But innocence,
No spell to hush her own unquiet spirit
But quiet innocence.
Königsmarck. My Prince, you are in error, you wrong her Highness.
Princess. Brother, I protest——
Charles. Away with protestations!
I speak to you as a dying man, for certainly
I think I never shall return. The needle
Is drawn to the Pole, and I am drawn as surely
To some unvisited place my star looked down on
When I was born, saying, "Thou shalt have his blood."
Princess. Alas, dear Charles!
Charles. The time is very short.
I brought you hither, Königsmarck, I bid you
For friendship's sake, and for love's sake, depart.
Look, I speak plainly. Leave this honoured lady,
Your love dishonours, this unhappy woman
Your consolations kill.
Princess. Brother, how wildly
Do you mistake, imagining this man loves me,
Who is the Platen's lover.
Charles. Ay, that reptile,
That beast of fierce embrace and venomous mouth
Hangs coiled about him; your most deadly danger.
Ay, she is fatal, if Fate herself were other.
Königsmarck. Sir, not falsely
You judged, pronouncing that I love this lady.
I have loved her all my life, and dare to say so
Now that she'll not believe it. Nevertheless,
I come to bid farewell. I have determined
To march with you to the Morea.
Charles. Philip!
Well done! At last, well done!
Königsmarck. I will rejoin you
In two days' time.
Charles. Nay, the resolve was sudden,
As sudden be fulfilment. Hildebrand
Can follow with your gear, ay, Hildebrand
Knows all you need—but do you, Philip,
To horse and ride with me.
Königsmarck. Madam—farewell.
Princess. You will go instantly?
Königsmarck. Highness—farewell.
Charles. Adieu, my sister,
Heaven be your help, angels your comforters.
I have loved you well.
Princess. Brother, sweet brother, adieu! God speed you both!
Königsmarck—sir, adieu.
Leonora. Dear Highness, my lord Count,
Heaven prosper you!
Charles and Königsmarck. Ladies, all thanks. Farewell.
[PRINCE CHARLES and KÖNIGSMARCK go out.

SCENE V.

The same. The PRINCESS and LEONORA V. KNESEBECK.

Leonora. Loss on the heels of loss, grief upon grief!
Princess. Hush, Leonora!
All those black-winged sorrows
That preyed upon my heart, in a flight are gone.
Philomel sits there
Piercing the dark with strong melodious cries,
A triumphing grief
More exquisite than all sharp visible joys
That revel up the blue.
[A silence, during which the noise of the crowd without increases. There

is a sound of marching, words of command, and military music. LEONORA goes
on to the balcony.
Leonora. [Returning.]
Platen and the Elector, coming hither!
Princess. [Hastily rising.]
Some Barbary water for my eyes! The rouge!
Quick, child! Pin up these curls—the Alençon lace!
Tire me thus carelessly, 'twill lend a shadow
To hide the stain of weeping. Dost thou come
To witness my despair? Come, Jezebel!
Enter the ELECTOR and MADAME PLATEN, accompanied by ladies and
gentlemen.
Elector. Give you good day, Highness!
How goes it, daughterling? What? Sickly, sadly?
Diantre! but every prince goes once to the wars,
And why not Charles? Do him a world of good.
Do you want a man at mother's apron-string
The whole of his life? Do you or don't you, eh?
That's what I say to the Electress. She's a-bed,
Lest folks should see her weep.
Madame Platen. The Princess of Hanover
Is public in her grief.
Princess. For what cause, Madam,
Should I conceal it?
Elector. [Stepping into the balcony.]
Ladies, a brave show,
And will be braver presently.
Madame Platen. [To the PRINCESS.]
In your ear, Madam,
The world—be assured I do not credit it—
But the scandalous world whispers your brother Charles
Loves you much more than brotherly.
Princess. Your world
Of Monplaisir. Did I concern myself,
My world and I, with all the scandalous comments
Of yours, I must become like a waxen image
Carried at my burial—nor yet avoid them.
Truly the princes, all save one, do love me.
Poor fortuneless gentlemen! What would you with them
At Monplaisir?
Madame Platen. Madam, I say your grief
Is too great for the circumstance. I warn you,
Being experienced, as an elder sister might——
Princess. An elder, truly.
Madame Platen. Pfui! your easy jibe!
I keep no calendar, my years are counted
On a rosary of lovers' vows, and verily
It has lately lengthened.
[A loud burst of military music from without.]
Elector. Hasten, ladies! Hither!
[All crowd to the balcony and the window. The PRINCESS remains at the

back of the party, somewhat within the window. There is a sound of marching, the

rattle of arms, cheers and music.
Elector. Ay, my stout Hanoverians! There be soldiers!
Clockwork upon the march, stubborn in battle.
Look at their uniform! That's worth the money
The Emperor paid for the lot. Hang 'em, they're cheap.
I put the price too low. Yonder's Prince Charles,
A brave boy when all's said—my son.
Madame Platen. Your Highness,
The House of Hanover breeds heroes.
Elector. Soldiers.
A Lady. Königsmarck rides with him.
Madame Platen. Not Königsmarck!
Elector. 'Tis he. A sudden freak—the Prince desired it,
And the Electress, therefore I gave permission.
He goes with the Prince.
Madame Platen. He accompanies his Highness
To the coast?
Elector. He sails with him for the Morea.
Madame Platen. For the Morea? Königsmarck? Impossible!
Elector. I say the Morea. He is young, adventurous——
Yielded awhile perhaps to women's tears,
Now takes the key of the fields. [Taking snuff.
Upon my soul,
I admire him for't.
Madame Platen. I tell you it is senseless,
Incomprehensible, mad!
Give me my mantle!
Here's cold that freezes to the marrow.
[Returns to the room and draws the PRINCESS aside.
You!
Your doing! You send Königsmarck to the war,
Without one word, one farewell, you remorselessly
Doom him to die, to punish me——
Princess. Peace, Madam.
For shame! What influence have I on your friends?
Your loves do not concern me.
Silence! The Elector
Observes your conduct.

ACT II.

SCENE I.

The Hall of Knights in the Leine Palais. A large fireplace with a chimney-
piece supported by carved figures of Knights. A door opening into a corridor
which leads to the PRINCESS OF HANOVER'S apartments. The ELECTRESS
sitting beside the fire, BARONESS V. HEINEBURG in attendance. Enter
LEONORA V. KNESEBECK.

Electress. The Princess is awake?
Leonora. Madam, her slumber
Is deep as death. For many months her bed
Has been a place of tears, of moaning dreams
Nothing might dispossess. Now some three hours
She has lain in a motionless slumber, unprepared,
Fallen upon her couch. I dare not waken her,
And could not if I would.
Electress. Let her sleep, Knesebeck.
[LEONORA goes out.
Ah, youth, youth, youth! Such is thy privilege.
Poignant and long the anguish, but in the end
The physician finds thee. All our consolations,
Our anxious care, our pity are for thee,
Not for incurable, aged woe, irretrievable,
Naked loss.
O wisdom of the world, blinder than justice,
More to be praised, thou verily judgest well,
Leaving things remediless where Life and Nature
Leave them—to the obliteration of slow time
And quiet cure of Death.
Baroness. Highness, dear lady,
If you have lost a son, yet excellent princes
Remain to serve you and your country.
Electress. Mine?
My country is that England whose high throne
My blood, having no lower spring, aspired to
And must no more aspire. The child of Denmark
Lives to inherit folly——
Baroness. And a throne
Bloody and perilous.
Electress. Peace my poor Heineburg,
You chatter ignorantly.
Baroness. A score of years
I have served your Highness, nor have been found unfaithful
Or any way unworthy; but the Princess of Hanover,
Whom once you did abhor, is the sole creature
Whose comfort now pleases you.
Electress. 'Tis her sorrow
Pleases me.

Enter PRINCE ERNEST.

Ernest. Where is the Electress?
Electress. Here.
Son, you bear news—'tis of your brother. Speak it
Immediately.
Ernest. My dearest, honoured mother,
Call up your resolution.
Electress. Charles is dead.
Ernest. Fallen in the front of battle, as became him,
Him and our illustrious House. I pray of Heaven
To die no worse.
Electress. Ay, thus it was reported,
And then another rumour. I'll have no rumours,
But certainty.
Ernest. Madam, a broken remnant
Of our destroyed army, landing at Venice,
Despatched a courier; but out-posting him
A gentleman, one that our Charles affectioned,
Königsmarck, has arrived.
Electress. So! Let him enter.
[LEONORA VON KNESEBECK enters while PRINCE ERNEST is speaking. He
goes out and returns immediately with KöNIGSMARCK, who is in a riding-
dress. He kneels and kisses the ELECTRESS'S hand.
Königsmarck. Your pardon, Highness!
Electress. For what offence, my lord?
Königsmarck. That I unworthy live, while one so noble On earth is

seen no more.
Electress. You were his friend;
'Tis to be well esteemed.
Some have reported
He was a prisoner.
Königsmarck. There were no prisoners.
Fierce, overwhelming, sudden was the onslaught,
I saw our amazed van reel, smitten backward,
Bear backward in a bloody wild confusion
Our deep arrayed host, until one leader,
One man appeared to arrest, bear up and onward
Our stream of war: the Prince.
Impetuous rivers
Thus for an hour dispute with waves of the sea
The barren empery of the blown sand
And long rock-edges white with rage of waters
Roaring right up to heaven. So I beheld
The tossed front of battle, smoke and steel,
Banner and turban of the infidel,
And still our leader;
Then one huge billow of wrath,
One roar out-bellowing tumult—and the end.
The Prince had fallen.
Electress. You—you found his body?
Königsmarck. Myself had perished there, but a faithful trooper
Swung me across his steed, bloody and senseless,
And bore me among shepherds, Christian folk
Hidden among the hills. They stealing down
To the battle-field, brought back the Prince's body
And there interred it. Madam, he sleeps well.
A priest hath blest his bed, holier in nakedness
Than robed prelates, the broader benediction
Of the watching hills that wait the gradual stars,
Holding their silence all the day, is o'er him,
And the sweet spare grey thyme.
For sentry in that mountain solitude
The brown shepherd stands leaning on his staff,
A motionless bronze: nothing appears to live
Except the climbing sheep. Thus I beheld it
Under the broad clear eye of the March morn,
And bade his rest farewell.
Electress. You have brought nothing
That was my son's?
Königsmarck. Highness, a lock of hair.
[He draws out a folded handkerchief containing a lock of
PRINCE CHARLES'S hair and gives it to the ELECTRESS.
Leonora. Alas, dear Prince!
Electress. Ever the dearest and the best are taken.
Baroness. A prince beloved by all that looked on him!
Electress. [To KÖNIGSMARCK.] You have our thanks for these
last offices.
Pardon me, Sir, I cannot think of much—
I would say more—but I am ill. Your arm,
Ernest. [She rises unsteadily.] Attend me to my chamber, Baroness,
You also, Knesebeck——
[The ELECTRESS goes out supported by PRINCE ERNEST and attended

by the two ladies. KÖNIGSMARCK leans by the hearth, in the shadow of
the chimney-piece. Twilight is falling. The PRINCESS OF HANOVER enters
hastily.
Princess. Where is the Electress?
[She advances looking round her.
Leonora!—What, all dark?
How long have you let me sleep!
Königsmarck. [To himself.] Dear God! Herself!
[He steps out from the shadow of the chimney-piece. The PRINCESS
gazes at him in silence, pressing her hand to her forehead.
Princess. No, it is not a dream, neither is it madness.
I have demanded this with incantations
Of deep heart-stirring groans and urgent whispers
In the black void of midnight.
Shall I now be afraid?
[To Königsmarck.] Yea, I have summoned thee, I have obtained thee,
Dragged thee at length out of the abyss, perchance
Disturbed thy rest—but O I had no rest!
I longed so much to say, "I pardon thee,"
To say, "I—" but what art thou, Königsmarck?
Do I dream? Art thou yet living?
Königsmarck. [Falling on his knee.] My—my Princess!
Princess. Thou livest—thou yet livest?
Königsmarck. [Rising]. And Charles is dead.
Princess. They told me Charles and all his officers
Were dead. Forgive me, I am mad with grief—
I take you for Count Königsmarck.
Königsmarck. I am he,
Touch me, I am a living man.
Why do you tremble
And fear this flesh who did not fear to summon
The unbodied ghost? I am he thou didst demand,
Compel from the vague bound and portal of Death
Back to the unquiet world.
Ay, it was thou!
What wouldst thou of me? Speak to the returned spirit
Here, in a narrow space, 'twixt life and death
Where we are poised a moment, unabiding
As thistle-down, as foam that winds of the sea
Drive ineluctably on.
Utter what is in thy heart, or being silent,
Never again either in flesh or spirit,
Living or dead, in the false antic day
Or true obscure night, call thou on Königsmarck,
For never will he come.
Princess. Ill didst thou do, O thou didst pierce my heart!
But I have pardoned thee a million times
And washed thee white with tears.
Königsmarck. My blood should pay them,
Drop after drop. Yet hast thou more to say—
"I pardon thee, I ——"?
Princess. Love thee, Königsmarck.
Königsmarck. Child, thou adored child!
Is it possible? Dost thou indeed love me?
Some day thou wilt be sorry.
Princess. Now I defy my fate, I have spoken this once—
Philip, I love thee.
It bursts out of my dark and hidden heart
More sudden, dear and fresh than the first flowers
Break from the wintry earth—
How I do love thee!
Surely 'tis sweet to hear, being to utter
Immeasurably sweet.
Königsmarck. So dear a word, so wonderful and rich
Past all imagined utterance, so angelical
Thou dost appear an angel speaking it;
Yet here devils will answer
And tongues of Hell echo it about the world.
Princess. I did believe you loved me——
Königsmarck. Do my pulses
Beat in the accustomed places? Do I breathe?
I have loved you all my life, so dearly well,
So much that were your words each mortal daggers
I'd take them in my heart and die rejoicing,
My blood singing your beauty.
Were we a dream, canopied by dim night,
I should go mad with rapture hearing you
And wake myself with weeping; but all's true
And a frosty fear——
Princess. How, Königsmarck?—a fear?
Königsmarck. Because I cannot fear or man or devil
I am afraid. Love, I shall be your ruin.
Princess. Ah no, no, no! Only this once
Shall I talk with you of love; never again
In all the lapse of time. We have much to say,
We who have waited so long, we who have wasted
Inestimable hours. One perilous moment
Wherein all must be told or pass unuttered,
Unguessed, unmourned down the deep gulf of Time!—
Yet I say nothing, and thou'lt never know
How well I could have loved thee had my stars Been pitiful.
Königsmarck. Give me your hands, your eyes—
What need of utterance?
I drink deep draughts of shining love.
Come hither, [Drawing her before the hearth.
Where I may feast my heart upon that face
And on the stuff of my mortality
Grave it too deep for death.
How beautiful thou art!
Princess. Love, I am glad.
Königsmarck. When didst thou love me first?
Princess. I cannot tell,
Sure a long while.
Königsmarck. Thou didst forbear to love me
A weary while, hard wert thou in the winning,
But when thou givest thyself 'tis done right royally,
Even as the prize is royal. When did thy soul,
Thy stubborn soul first own the mastery
Of sovereign Love?
Princess. 'Twas on a certain night
I am fain not to remember.
Königsmarck. That same night
You frowned on me?
Princess. Hush! There are many thoughts
Which slumber lightly here—do not awaken them,
For I would pack my recollection full
Of this one perfect hour, of this one moment,
And make it all my life.
I never was alive till now, and afterwards
I shall be dead, but in my sepulchre
Let me be hymning joy because I lived
Once, thus in thine arms.
Königsmarck. Live happily and longer than thou bodest.
Here will I charm away unhappy thoughts
With one touch of my magic on thy brow,
Thus with a little rain of tender charms
Forbid these eyes to tears.
[Sounds without the door. KÖNIGSMARCK stands away from the

PRINCESS.
Königsmarck. I know you, Madam,
Eager to hear the last sad history
Of our renowned Prince——
[Enter lacqueys carrying lighted candles in heavy silver candelabra.

They are followed by a Major-domo and LEONORA V. KNESEBECK.
Leonora. Count Königsmarck!

SCENE II.

The garden at Herrenhausen, as before. It is dusk on a warm summer evening. A

large moon is rising; the terrace and gardens are illuminated with coloured
lamps, and there is a distant sound of music. Bands of maskers in dominos, some

carrying torches, come along the terrace, descend the steps and pass out of
sight in the garden. They sing.

First band of maskers.
In the cool young dawn of the summer morn
Fresh buds open fairest—
Come away!—
But every scent that yields content
At eventide is rarest.
Come away!
Now the evening closes.

Second band.
Under the moon over petals strewn
Wander souls of roses,
In the alleys dim where the fountains brim
Softly they are sighing.
Come away!
Now the dusk is dying.

Third band.
Under the moon in a night of June
—Such a night as this is—
They are fluttering free from the red rose tree
And falling there in kisses.
Come away! Come away!

LEONORA VON KNESEBECK, in mask and domino, detaches herself from the
last band of maskers as they pass and waits under the terrace. A band of
revellers, without dominos, come in dancing. They bring music with them and sing

as they dance.

Viol and flute
No more be mute,
Come dancing, dancing, dancing!
Fa la la!
Mark the measure!
Here is pleasure!
Praise no longer love and wine,
Cupid's bow or Bacchus' vine,
I'd give them both for dancing!
Fa la la!
Topers you
Join not our crew,
Who trip and fleet
On airy feet
And wings of music dancing.
Fa la la!
Lovers who
Two and two
Wander lost in charmed gazing,
Not for you the flute is phrasing
Fairy calls across the dew.
Here no sighing fancy fools us,
Only merry music rules us,
Flying here and there pursuing,
Only true to music's wooing,
Side by side
We sway and glide,
Now we link and now divide,
We smiling serve,
And gaily swerve
From fair to fair in dancing.
Fa la la!
Lightly trip,
Hand on hip,
She who's featest
Shall be sweetest
Beauty's brows out-shining.
Now again
Link the chain
One with other swiftly twining,
Ring on ring
Wind and swing,
Slower now, round around,
Till our woven maze unwound,
Hand in hand
We revellers stand
And sing the praise of dancing.
Fa la la!

KÖNIGSMARCK is among the dancers. As they pass out he detaches himself
from them and remains behind. When all are gone except KÖNIGSMARCK,
LEONORA steps forward, removing her mask.

Leonora. Count Königsmarck.
Königsmarck. It is you, dear Confidante?
Leonora. Whom else might you suppose?
Königsmarck. My dearer lady.
Leonora. The Princess?
Königsmarck. Hush! Her name is Léonisse.
Leonora. How poorly do you think of Léonisse,
Who imagine her creeping disguised in the dark
To meet a midnight lover!
Königsmarck. She repents
That ever she did love me.
Leonora. She repent?
Ah, no, no, no! Unweariedly
As the nightingale echoes her own long cry,
Her everlasting passionate appeal
To enveloping night and the removed stars,
Thus would your Léonisse reiterate
Her dear denial.
Königsmarck. Tell her who yet loves me
Four words with her, only four little words
I supplicate, dream of like famishing men
Who dream of banqueting.
Leonora. A worthy lover
Of Léonisse would find in sheer obedience
And recollection feasts.
Königsmarck. A worthy lover?
The armed angels, Heaven's bright counsellors,
Michael and Gabriel are forbid to woo her;
Therefore her lover must be man. By God,
He were much less who'd bear these prohibitions,
These childish blank evasions!
Madame la Princesse
Plays at the princely tables; Königsmarck
Must every night be there, to bow and pass,
And pace the corridor, tearing his ruffles
For very rage—the Venice point ones, Madam.
Nay, but this passes jesting.
She talks with God knows whom, but not with me,
Smiles on the universe, but not on me,
Plunges those lovely looks in other eyes,
But not in mine.
Leonora. How answers Léonisse?
At morning she awakes, and hears the day
Beginning and is glad.
Your Léonisse
Says to her love: "How fair is the green earth
Because it holds thy heart!" Says to her love,
"How triumphingly the hours
Clamour from tower to tower, because they lead
In glad procession again the bridal hour
We meet, only we two in all the crowd!"
Königsmarck. Meet! Unendurable torture!
Leonora. Léonisse
Says to her love, "How beautiful is the world,
Because it holds our hearts!"
Have you no happy word for Léonisse?
Königsmarck. Tell her—your chains are cruel, Léonisse,
Heavy, cutting the flesh, say that I wear them
In mortal anguish, and unspeakable joy.
Stay, stay, Leonora! Tell, if one dare tell her,
Nightly I watch her window, blind and blank
And hopeless as my heart. But once in a dream
I saw a curtain suddenly drawn, I saw
A lamp in the window. Then with winged feet
I flew alone the way I went with Charles,
Up through the postern door, by the Hall of Knights,
And found the Princess. This was but a dream,
Yet should she need me—then remember it.
I am there and have the means to enter.
Say——
Leonora. [Replacing her mask.]
Dominos on the terrace! Let me hence!
Farewell, Count Königsmarck—I shall remember.
[KÖNIGSMARCK and LEONORA go away in opposite directions. While

they have been talking MADAME PLATEN has approached along the terrace above,

followed by MESBACH. Both are in dominos.
Madame Platen. Hush! Who is the domino yonder?
Mesbach. Who?
Dear Madame Platen, I am no magician!
Madame Platen. 'Tis not the Princess, Mesbach?
Mesbach. No, that's certain,
I'll swear to that.
Madam, you are obeyed.
I have easily obtained her Highness' domino
And gloves, thrown off, and left just where she flung them.
Madame Platen. A careless fool! I half suspected her
Of some deep plan. Ay, there's her domino!
Blue with a scarlet broidery, unmistakable
Even in the dusk. Her gloves, richly embroidered
With the arms of Hanover, the Prince's present
To his dear spouse. Fortune, my deity,
Be favourable now to thy rash votaress
But half an hour! So may we make innocuous
For all her days the insolent Frenchwoman,
The brat of Zell!
Mesbach. And this unmannered Swede,
This Königsmarck——?
Madame Platen. Will be well caught.
Speed, Mesbach!
The Prince is yonder, drinking in the pavilion,
Königsmarck's near, walking alone. Deliver him
A message in a feigned voice, this glove
[Giving MESBACH the PRINCESS'S glove.
Give him for token. Say a lady sent it
Who awaits him eagerly on the marble seat
Under the terrace. Then haste to the Prince,
Persuade him presently by some device
To walk with others on the terrace. There
I warrant they'll see sport, if you'll but carelessly
Rap with your cane upon the balustrade
When near enough to mark the scarlet broidery
On this loving lady's domino.
Mesbach. And if
Our Königsmarck swallow the bait.
Madame Platen. Begone
And do your part featly, as I'll do mine.
[MESBACH goes out. MADAME PLATEN takes off her domino and replaces

it by that of the PRINCESS OF HANOVER. She comes down from the terrace,
seats herself on the marble bench below it and puts on her mask. HILDEBRAND,
who has observed her, himself unobserved, passes in a domino, playing on the
viol.
Hildebrand. [Singing.]
At eve the spinners tell beside the doorway
Of evil spirits and their accursed love,
Fiercer than hate. Close well the curtains,
For the moon—and what beside?—is awake.
[He goes out singing in the direction whence KÖNIGSMARCK
presently enters, holding the PRINCESS'S glove in his hand.
Königsmarck. You have summoned me, Madam—and with all speed
I have obeyed.
[MADAME PLATEN sighs and remains silent.
With what commands——?
Madame Platen. [Holding out the fellow glove to that he has in his
hand and speaking in a whisper.]
You know it not,
The token?
Königsmarck. On the Electress' honoured hand
I have seen a glove——
Madame Platen. The Electress, Königsmarck!
You must be mad!
Königsmarck. Clearly mistaken, Madam.
Madame Platen. Some threescore years of frozen majesty
You flew to embrace——!
Königsmarck. Heaven be my witness——
Madame Platen. Hardly!
Is there no younger lovelier lady, Königsmarck,
May wear the arms of Hanover?
Königsmarck. I know one
That has adorned the arms of Hanover,
Whose white hand wields the power of Hanover,
Who therefore well might wear on that white hand
The coat of Hanover—Clara von Platen.
Madame Platen. Philip, you have guessed well. O my fond heart,
My vainly kind, impassioned, faithful heart!
Königsmarck. Madam, you have been too generous——
Madame Platen. To an unthankful man——
Königsmarck. For your own fortunes.
Consider and recall your wonted wisdom
And famed prudence. Let no imagined rivalry
Fanning to fire some cooled embers, cause you
Forget your real interests.
Why do I speak?
I am your jest, accomplished friend. You have heard—
Thought to discover me in folly, Madam,
And read me a friend's lesson. Well, I thank you,
Although I need it not.
Madame Platen. You judge me rightly.
Rumour affirms you have refused obedience
To a royal summons, bidding you return
To Sweden and your estate, or else stand forfeit
Of all your lands—this for a woman's sake.
Königsmarck. Do they say that?
True, I will not yield to the King and sacrifice
My liberty, light, and the whole dear world
To be mewed up in dark at his good pleasure,
Among mere savages. But—for a woman?
Madam, we of the court, can we believe
There lives or man or woman whose possession
Is worth to us more than prosperity,
Ambition, ease, riches and whole estate?
We fall not in such error.
Platen. Do we not?
Königsmarck. You, Madam, put a period
To our old brief amour when the Elector
Conceived but a suspicion.
Madame Platen. Nay, not I!
Were you afraid? O not my founded fortunes,
Which I with my own hand know to defend
Against all challengers, you so considered,
But for yourself you feared! Count Königsmarck,
You yet may find basely to have betrayed
A heart like mine more perilous to your fortunes
Than to outbrave the Elector.
Königsmarck. Lady, you are angry,
And talk beneath yourself.
Platen. O this hushed heat,
This brooding thunder! It plays upon the nerves—!
Count, you speak wisely.
[Listening, she hears footsteps approaching along the terrace above, and

a light rapping on the balustrade.
Women of the world
Accept and leave like partners in the dance
Their lovers, yet like partners in the dance,
Not without courtesies. The courtesies
Of love are kisses, Königsmarck, and thus,
[Flinging her arms round his neck.
For the last time and for remembrance sake
I kiss a mouth once dear.
[The PRINCE OF HANOVER, PLATEN and MESBACH have approached along

the terrace and look down upon the pair.
Prince. So! Here's your pair!
[MADAME PLATEN, dropping the PRINCESS'S glove on the ground,
hastens away down an alley.
Prince. After the lady, Mesbach!
[He climbs over the balustrade and drops on his feet in front of
KÖNIGSMARCK.
Ha! Mille diables!
We have caught you, Königsmarck, ay, and caught her,
Though she bolted like a rabbit.
Königsmarck. I assure your Highness
You are most opportune, though sudden, by Bacchus,
In your arrival.
Prince. Curse your impudence!
She was in your arms.
Königsmarck. Would she had been in yours,
Electoral Highness!
Prince. Hell and damnation, Sir!
Platen, I say! Listen to him, friend Platen!
[COUNT VON PLATEN having descended from the terrace by the steps,
approaches the PRINCE.
He holds my wife in his arms, under my eyes,
I say he holds the Princess——
Königsmarck. How? The Princess?
Pardon me, Highness, that extreme of honour
Has not been mine. The Princess! Well, to-morrow
Your Highness will be sorry—or have forgotten
This freak of your French wine.
Prince. Insolent foreigner!
Platen, he denies it was the Princess.
Königsmarck. Diantre!
I do deny it.
Count v. Platen. Very naturally,
Inevitably, I may say——Be calm,
Highness, I implore. But, Sir, the domino
Was unmistakable. What lady of the court
Wears such another? Who would dare to take
Her Highness' domino?
Königsmarck. That, Sir's, a riddle
To which yourself may know the answer, I——
Do not.
[The PRINCE has picked up the PRINCESS'S glove, thrown down
by MADAME PLATEN, and examined it by a lamp. He holds it out to
KÖNIGSMARCK.
Prince. Here is proof positive. Look at this glove.
Your domino, your masked bona roba
Dropped it.
Königsmarck. A glove with the arms of Hanover,
Such as the Prince uses to give. Why, then
'Tis like some bona roba had it, which
Your Highness may decide.
Prince. Out, damned liar!
This glove I gave the Princess.
[Drawing his sword.
Königsmarck. Didst thou so?
Then did the Princess from a hand too white
To wear such soilure, thus contemptuously
[Flinging the scabbard from his sword] dismiss it.
Prince. I have done with words. On guard!
[The PRINCE and KÖNIGSMARCK begin to fight. COUNT
PLATEN endeavours to intervene without coming within reach of their swords.
Count v. Platen. Electoral Highness! Prince! Now in God's name
Down with your sword, cursed traitor!
Murderer! Help!
Prince. Peace, fool! I want no help.
[MESBACH comes in and throws himself upon KÖNIGSMARCK.
Prince. [Lowering his sword.] Mesbach, let go!
Count v. Platen. [Holding the PRINCE.]
Pardon my violence, Highness!
[To MESBACH.] You have found the lady?
Prince. Ay, what of the lady?
You overtook her?
Mesbach. No, she has disappeared
Utterly, Highness.
Prince. Disappeared! The domino
Has disappeared, Mesbach, but here's the lady,
The unabashed lady!

Enter the PRINCESS OF HANOVER and PRINCE ERNEST, without masks or
dominos.

Prince. [To the PRINCESS.]
Madam, you are bold; or else you are uncertain
Whether you were detected. Yes, we saw you,
Three of us recognised you plainly. Caught,
Madame la Princesse!
Princess. [To PRINCE ERNEST.]
What does his Highness say?
Methinks his wine babbles.
Königsmarck. Madam, let me answer.
A woman foolish or confederate
With your Highness' enemies, dared to assume
Your domino. After some compliments
As though in jest, she embraced me suddenly
And fled; just as by a most singular hazard,
The Prince and these obsequious gentlemen
Appeared to witness our endearments.
Prince. So!
You've got your story, Madam. Swear to it,
Or do not swear—'tis of no consquence.
Three of us marked you hanging on his neck.
Did we not, Platen? Mesbach?
Count v. Platen. Most unhappily,
And to our amazed grief.
Mesbach. It was the Princess.
I'll stake my honour on that.
Princess. M. de Mesbach
Has staked his honour!
Prince Ernest. When did this happen?
Königsmarck. Not fifteen minutes ago.
Prince Ernest. The Princess of Hanover
Has been unmasked, undominoed in my company
An hour by the clock.
Prince. A brave boy! Be her witness,
Perjure thy soul to spite thy brother——!

Enter the ELECTOR and MADAME PLATEN.

Elector. Quarrelling!
On this delightful evening! Shame, young people!
Prince Ernest. Highness and honoured Father, here's a conspiracy
Against our Sophie. The Prince dares to affirm
He and his hirelings saw her with Count Königsmarck.
Prince. We saw her in a domino, kissing Königsmarck
Here where I stand.
Elector. George, you are troublesome.
A kiss! To-night's a carnival of kisses,
And some one sure's kissing your Schulenburg
While you neglect her for the ungrateful business
Of spying on your wife.
Prince. Do I understand
Your Highness winks at infidelities——?
Princess. No, but he smiles to hear your lame inventions.
Grandfather, I have been in Ernest's company
Since we rose from table.
Elector. Yes, yes, daughterling.
Prince. Madam, whose glove is this? A glove from Flanders!
I gave it you and you carelessly flung it
At the feet of your inamorato.
Princess. This?
I left it in the orangery. Ernest,
Did I not leave my gloves and domino
In the orangery?
Prince Ernest. You did. A score of witnesses
Can vouch that we were there.
Mesbach. I saw their Highnesses
In the orangery. I also saw them leave it
Half an hour since.
Prince. Ay, there 'tis! Half an hour
You'll not account for!
Prince Ernest. Every moment of it.
We were at the great fountain to see the fireworks.
Prince. In the dark—unrecognised, of course.
Prince Ernest. I know not,
Nor care, by God. You have my word for it, brother,
And shall accept the same.
Prince. How if I will not,
Jackanapes? Do you touch your sword?
Elector. Peace, princes!
Sophie, when gentlemen begin to jar,
Ladies had best begone. Leave us, my daughter,
And leave in peace. Ernest defends your cause
And I am judge.
Princess. I obey, honoured Elector.
[She goes away. SCHULENBURG draws near.
Prince Ernest. I say we were by the fountain——
Prince. You say and cannot prove. Who was at the fountain
Beside yourself?
Schulenburg. I was, for one, my Prince.
I waited for you there.
Prince. Peste! I had forgotten.
Elector. Fair nymph, had you no other occupation
But waiting for a lag o' love?
Schulenburg. Yes, Highness.
I was eating caramels.
Elector. What! All the while?
Schulenburg. No, for I ate them all—[To the PRINCE]—my
silver box,
You gave me—full, and still you never came.
Prince Ernest came and helped me eat your caramels,
Did you not, Sir? [To PRINCE ERNEST.]
Prince. Then the Princess of Hanover
Was not in his company.
Schulenburg. Yes, but she was,
She was close behind. But for all that Prince Ernest
Chatted with me.
Elector. George, here is a witness
Not to be traversed.
Prince. Nay, 'twas not for long,
Cannot have been for long——
Schulenburg. It was all the time
I waited—that was hours.
What! are you jealous?
'Tis too much wine makes you so quarrelsome,
Besides forgetful.
Elector. Well, this matter's settled!
I pronounce judgement. The Princess of Hanover
Is proved not guilty. George, thou swinish fellow,
Thou shalt make ample apology to this lady
And to the Princess. Nay, thou owest excuse
To me for spoiling such an evening. Lord!
We were growing young again, were we not, Clara?
Here come the dancers. Tune up! Join them, all!
[Dancers rush in, with music. The ELECTOR offers his hand to
MADAME PLATEN, PRINCE ERNEST to ERMINGARDA VON SCHULENBURG, and all join
the dance except the ELECTORAL PRINCE.
The dancers [Singing]
Viol and flute
No more be mute,
Come dancing, dancing, dancing!
Fa la la!
Mark the measure,
Here is pleasure,
A fig for love, a fleer for wine!
Cupid's bow and Bacchus' vine!
I'd give them both for dancing?
Fa la la!
Topers you
Join not our crew,
Who trip and fleet
On nimble feet
And wings of music dancing.
Fa la la!

All dance off, leaving the ELECTORAL PRINCE alone.

SCENE III.

[Night. The PRINCESS OF HANOVER'S apartment. The ELECTRESS standing
wrapped in a hood and cloak, the PRINCESS still in the same dress as in the

preceding scene, her domino and mask thrown off on a chair. LEONORA VON
KNESEBECK in the background.

Princess. Your justice, Madam! The Prince of Hanover
Unpardonably insults—more, he conspires
With hireling knaves to ruin and defame,
To blacken me, his wife——
Electress. Pshaw! You are fanciful.
George is a boor, dull, destitute of feeling,
But for your conspiracy! I say 'tis folly,
And so does the Elector.
Princess. Ay, even the Elector.
Electress. Mere childish invention!
Princess. Is it an invention
That the Prince insulted me grossly, and you,
You and the Elector, Madam, are content
When he refuses all apology?
Electress. Content! Am I a fool to be content
With the Prince of Hanover?
But here's a scandal
Engendered by your indiscretion.
Princess. Mine?
Electress. Assuredly. What caused this amorous lady,
One of the Swede's so easy conquests, choose
Your domino for disguise?
Princess. What have I done?
Electress. Nothing almost; and yet a world too much
For one that wears your name. A month ago
In the palace garden, walking with your daughter,
You took her in your arms—with a score of women
To wait upon the Princess, you must carry her!
Princess. A mortal sin!
Electress. No, merely ridiculous.
The scandal follows. Königsmarck was observed
To approach your Highness with an obsequious haste,
And take the child; carry her princely Highness,
Walking beside you, up the steps of the palace.
Princess. Thus did Count Königsmarck? O horrible!
Electress. Do you laugh, unstaid girl? Do dignity
And the religious forms which rampart round
The power of Princes, move you but to laughter?
Let fear control you, then. You have enemies;
Your husband's one. Suppose you have done nothing,
That's not enough: you should say, smile, look nothing
Which hate or love might construe to a meaning
Beyond your thought.
Princess. So must you re-create me.
I am not such a thing, cold, calculating,
A mere machine of State; I am alive,
Young, and a woman.
Elector. There are many women
In the world: you are the Princess of Hanover.
Princess. Who dared to make me so? My enemies.
I was a child then—now I'd kill myself
Before I'd be your Princess.
Electress. Sophie of Zell,
Remember who you were, raised to what height
From dubious birth and obscure ancestry,
Made equal to what lineage, made the mother
Of Princes, even of monarchs—you to spurn
The illustrious House of Hanover!
Thou bastard!
Princess. 'Tis a false name! My mother is more honourable,
More dear to me than all the crowns of the earth
And all their pompous wearers.
Electress. The stroke of midnight!
And like a fool I rob my bed to wrangle
With a high-tempered chit.
Madam, good night—
And may your good night bring consideration
And due respect.
[The ELECTRESS goes out.
Princess. Consideration! Thou darest enjoin me
Consider! I will consider thee, thou enemy
Of my mother's honour, fraudulent bargainer
And robber of my life, my mortal only
Inestimable life, for what mean price
Bought, for what mockery sold!
Away, Electress!
Chide at your daughter of Prussia, bid her exercise
Discretion, count her lovers if you can
And mulct her if you may.
And thou, Discretion.
Thou slant-eyed sister of young Virtue, never
Twinned in your birth, come, I will entertain thee
To-morrow. But to-night, Madam and Highness,
Shall be a holiday. You have sent packing—
I thank you for't—the sharp unslaked Virtue
Whose fangs were in my heart, making me sacrifice
My sweet sole friend, put out irrevocably
The one light of dim life and quite abandon
My hope of human joy.
Extreme honour,
Indulgence and mild courtesy were nothing
To compensate that loss, but calumny,
Insult and scorn—! I thank you, House of Hanover!
My debt is paid, I am free.
Leonora. Weeping, dear lady,
Will balm our misery better than laughter.
Princess. Misery? I am mad with all the joy
Of all my years, my youth-consuming years'
Hoarded, unspent delight.
Say, Leonora,
Where are my wings? Do they not shoot up radiant,
A splendour of snowy vans, swimming the air
Just ere the rush of rapture?
[Without, returning revellers are passing by with music and laughter.
Hark! They know
And clamour out our joy. Look up, my Philip,
And see thy young star shine!
The lamp, Leonora!
Leonora. Highness! Honoured lady!
Consider—wait awhile.
Princess. O, I have waited
More years than now shall fiery moments fleet
Ere I embrace my joy!
[She seizes a lamp, and approaches the window. LEONORA endeavours to

restrain her.
How? Wouldst thou venture?
Nay, girl, but I am mistress.
Leonora. Madam, to-night
He is at Herrenhausen——
Princess. Or at Monplaisir?
No, he is there. A fire runs from his presence
And leaps into my blood, I need no question
Of eye or ear.
[She draws back the curtain, and places the lamp in the window.
Do now as I command thee.
Haste to the postern door, for though thou speed
He will outrun thee. Bring Count Königsmarck.
[LEONORA goes out.
Now shall the long, mad hunger of my heart
Be satisfied, now do I dare to look
On the face of Life before I look on Death.
And I wait for him here. Can it be I,
The poor sad prisoned girl, the soul shut out
For ever and ever from her heritage
Of love and happiness? Who could have guessed
That I should be so happy, I should love
And be beloved again?
[Presently KÖNIGSMARCK comes in alone. He pauses as though

in doubt for what reason he has been summoned. The PRINCESS flies to meet
him. My Königsmarck!

ACT III.

SCENE I.

A bosquet in the garden of the Castle at Zell. A fountain with a
statue of a faun. Moonlight. KÖNIGSMARCK is heard coming along an alley

towards the bosquet, playing and singing. He comes in singing.

Cover, O eve, the world with mist
Till we two shall have kist and kist!

Linger, O moon, in the western skies,
Till we have looked in each other's eyes!

Whisper, O wind! We shall not speak,
Heart upon heart and cheek to cheek.

Drown, wild dawn, the stars in fire!
We shall have had our heart's desire!
[The PRINCESS hurries into the bosquet.

Princess. Philip!
Königsmarck. It is thou!
Princess. Love!
Königsmarck. Is it possible?
Do I indeed hold thee, my heart's treasure!
Princess. How? Dare another storm thee so with kisses?
Königsmarck. Ah, my sweet Princess!
Princess. Now if delight could kill, should I be dead.
Königsmarck. Love, wilt thou swoon?
Princess. But I am strong, like a young lioness
Leaping upon her prey. Dost thou not fear me?
So, when I hold thee fast, my prisoner?
Königsmarck. Faster, beloved!
Princess. Now will I press the soul out of thy mouth!
How little dost thou love me?
Königsmarck. Léonisse!
Princess. Answer me not, for nothing will avail
To alter it. I am thine irrecoverably.
Königsmarck. Loose me a moment for my hungry eyes
Would have thy beauty.
Dear, art thou so pale,
Or does the envious moon dissemble thee,
Laying her lilies o'er the bravery
Of my carnations?
Princess. Pale? Ah God, my Philip!
Did I not tell thee I was worn with misery,
Ugly, and old, and wasted!
Königsmarck. Léonisse!
Princess. I am mad to love thee!
And madly do I love thee, my prince of the world.
When other eyes admire and tongues discourse
Thy beauty, praise a magic thou dost wear
Beyond discourse, or tell how thou art high
In the esteem of captains and of kings,
As of enchanted women—then my pride
Runs to illume these windows for my love,
And in triumphant scarlet dress my cheeks
For the unforgotten kisses. But, O me!
When I reflect in the long, lonely nights
How much thou art adored, how fairer women
Woo thee, and I absent, and I unworthy,
Then must I weep
And waste my little beauty, and with moan
And various torment, and incessant fear,
Post on to ugly age.
Königsmarck. Though all were truth
Which is, Heaven pardon thee, a wanton lie—
Yet do I love thee. Were this delicate sheath
Wrinkled, and all the mansion of my heart
Robbed of its exquisite ornaments—I love thee.
By what shall I swear? By this remembered haunt,
These verdured walls of ours, and branched roof,
By each long alley, by the immortal Loves,
The naiads and lithe fauns who listen for them
Quietly through the years. I do conjure
These whom no transitory seasons touch,
To charm away Time, which is here illusion,
Bidding old suns to warm, old scents revive
And the old summer sounds—and two who are lovers
Now and apart, unhappy, hand in hand
Run joyously, children.
Léonisse,
Child-love and lady-love, star of my youth,
And deep and perilous passion of my prime,
My ruin and despair, my soul's salvation,
The angel of my heart, how could another,
A mere beautiful woman be to me
As thou, beloved?
Princess. Philip, she must be nothing!
I claim thee mine, my own to the least shred,
Mine by the memory of passionate hours
These arms have been thy prison, mine, mine only
By sad uncounted vigils, the forlorn bed
Where some few letters whisper to me of love
Awhile and speak no more. My thronging kisses
Beat on them and my tears raining implore,
But they will speak no further.
Königsmarck. Answer her,
Dumb letters, tell her how her lover lies,
His midnight lamp hovering upon a face
Fair to enamour anchorites, and tell
How he in love is eloquent and crowds
A million kisses on a lady's lips
That smiling suffer them—but are more silent
Than my dumb letters. Child!—I mean your portrait.
Princess. Philip!
Königsmarck. Or I sleep and you wander through my dreams
Till I could curse the world-awakening dawn
That fleets away my joy.
Princess. You dream we are happy?
Königsmarck. Often—and yet—I have another dream.
Let me not think on't!
Princess. Ah, it is unhappy!
Königsmarck. Horrible. Yet I know not what it is.
Princess. It is a dream, a thing less than a shadow,
The child of memory fathered by a fancy,
'Tis born and dies in a moment. I will face it
Boldlier than thou, my soldier, will outface it
When I have seen its face.
Königsmarck. The face of Platen.
Princess. Then is it ugly.
Königsmarck. I would laugh at it
Could I but grasp the vision. When I wake
The sweat hangs on my hair and some half knowledge,
Mortal, and of unspeakable calamity
Freezes my blood, yet all's lost and forgotten,
Save where there drifts dim down the gulf of sleep,
That one sinister face.
Then like a woman
I weep and pray like one, battering the gates
Of inaccessible God, bidding Him smite
Where else He will, but spare, pardon, protect
Thee, thou adored child.
How much unhappiness
I have wrought thee, Léonisse!
'Tis I with my inexorable love
Have made thy life wretched and perilous
Which else might have been happy.
Princess. Happy, Philip?
Out of a sepulchre of souls still-born,
Didst thou deliver me, and I will thank thee
Always and even for the memory
Of what has been; for not in circumstance
Is love's evil or good, but in itself
And its own absoluteness.
Königsmarck. Dare you abandon
A hoped crown to wear the name of Königsmarck?
Princess. An empire.
Königsmarck. God! that it were possible.
But now are we both alike ruined and robbed.
Princess. Patience, beloved! My intolerable wrongs
Have won upon my mother——
[LEONORA comes in hastily.
Leonora. Madam, I beseech you
Come to your apartments. Once already the Prince——
Königsmarck. What Prince?
Princess. It is Max.
Leonora. Has hammered at your door,
Very importunate. The Duke your father,
Your mother and the rest have risen from play
And certainly will now visit your Highness.
These will take no denial.
Princess. Dear, I fly!
Königsmarck. Love, not so suddenly!
Princess. Follow me in a while
To the postern gate. If it be possible
When all our nightly ceremonious courtesies
Are done, Leonora shall descend and open—
Nay, but you know the private stair. Your patience
Needs exercise, Sir, and may chance to get it.
[The PRINCESS and LEONORA hasten away. KÖNIGSMARCK
paces the bosquet until he hears footsteps and voices approaching, when he
conceals himself. The DUCHESS OF ZELL and PRINCE MAX come in.
Prince Max. I heard it from the window, Madam, distinctly.
Duchess. A page practising the lute.
Prince Max. Then as I told you
This morning early as I went a-shooting—
I'll be shot myself if'twas not Königsmarck
Rode into the town, his face muffled in his cloak,
And Hildebrand behind him.
Duchess. Dame, good nephew,
If you are not Sophie's friend you surely should be,
Since 'tis her championship of you young princes
And your infringed rights has injured her
So greatly with the Elector.
Prince Max. Partly, Madam.
Do not mistrust my dear and brotherly friendship
For the Princess. Oh, I know how perilously
She stands and from her pride and indiscretion
I would protect her. The adventurer Königsmarck
Will be her ruin.
Duchess. I abhor the fellow,
Do from my soul regret Sophie's perversity
And anger find in him an instrument
To plague her husband with; yet I half pardon it.
His Electoral Highness all but strangled her
And beat her blue last month.
Prince Max. George is a villain,
And so is Königsmarck.
Duchess. A swaggering ape!
Sophie is most imprudent, yet she is virtuous,
That I will swear. True, she's a born coquette,
But cold as January and ever mocking
At love and at young gentlemen. What's Königsmarck
To change her disposition? I have heard her
Speak very slightingly of Königsmarck
When other women praised him.
Prince Max. Oh, undoubtedly!
It is not love but wrong and indignation
Throw her in the arms of Königsmarck.
Duchess. Never! She would as soon embrace a scorpion.
Prince Max. I am sure of it. I mean make her imperil
So much for him. He labours to entangle her
Merely to boast a conquest. Were't achieved,
He were gone already, vaunting it through Europe.
Duchess. Well, well! There's no one here.
Prince Max. Perhaps there has been.
Duchess. You are more suspicious than a husband.
Prince Max. Jealous
Of the honour of our House—and Sophie's happiness.
Duchess. 'Tis a chilly night for lovers. Let's within.
Prince Max. Willingly, madam.
Duchess. I warrant we find my daughter
In bed by now, waiting our nightly visit.
[They leave the bosquet. KÖNIGSMARCK emerges from his
concealment.
Königsmarck. My thanks, your Highnesses. Hurry! Despatch!
Linger not, lest a lover's maledictions
Turn your sound sleep to nightmare.
Nay, sleep sound,
Madame d'Olbreuse and honourable brother
Of our Electoral George, would-be consoler
Of his fair wife, you that do wish her happiness,
Sleep sound! Let the bright world be blotted out
Under the dim and gradual tide of sleep;
Only the pacing moon be vigilant,
Far on the crystal confines of the air,
And one white lady,
Moon of my joyous heart, awake for love,
Awake for infinite happiness, awake
In arms that holding her hold Heaven.
Good-night!
Good-night! Fair dreams attend your Highnesses.
[He leaves the bosquet.

SCENE II.

An ante-chamber in the Electoral Palace at Hanover. The lights are
extinguished except for one which a lacquey carries in his hand. He is in
attendance on MADAME PLATEN, who wears a hood and cloak.

Madame Platen. I say I will see the Elector.
Impudent rogue!
Dare'st thou refuse me?
Lacquey. Madam, your ladyship,
The Elector is asleep.
Madame Platen. Then must he waken.
Wake him I say, rascal!
Lacquey. Your ladyship
Will tell him 'twas her doing?
Madame Platen. Fellow, knock!
[The LACQUEY knocks timidly at a door. There is no reply.
MADAME PLATEN pushes him aside and knocks loudly. A voice answers angrily and

indistinctly from within.
Madame Platen. Clara von Platen. Let me in immediately.
[Again an indistinct voice from within.
I shall not go. I have matters of importance
Which will not wait till morning. Open, Highness!
[To the lacquey.
Light me the sconces yonder. So! Be off!
I must have private conference with his Highness.
[The LACQUEY obeys her and goes out. MADAME PLATEN waits
impatiently until the inner door opens and the ELECTOR emerges in a
dressing-gown, with a silk handkerchief tied round his head.
Elector. The devil, Madam! What possesses you
To invade my apartments at this hour? Potztausend!
I hate such indecorum. At my age
I'll not be made a laughing-stock and scandal——
Madame Platen. You are a laughing-stock, Sir, and a scandal
To all the world. The honour of your House
Is openly dragged in the dirt—but you say nothing,
You will do nothing.
Elector. To your business, Clara.
I am weary of such talk.
Madame Platen. Here is my business.
Königsmarck left his house half an hour since——
Elector. Königsmarck! The old story.
Madame Platen. Königsmarck
Is now in the apartment of the Princess. Haste!
Yourself be judge and witness——
Elector. May the devil
Devour all women! Madam, am I blind
Or, deaf, to be unaware yourself had hankerings
After this jackanapes? The Princess of Hanover
Has been perverse, thankless, undutiful,
We have our quarrel; but I'll not insult her,
Invade her chamber on the authority
Of a jealous woman——
Madame Platen. A trusty gentleman
Saw him, I say, enter——
Elector. Even that is possible—
Yet I refuse. For Königsmarck and she
Being of an old acquaintance, may desire
Most honourably to bid a long farewell
In privacy, unirked by scandalous tongues
And prying eyes. Do you not know the fellow
Is made a Marshal by the King of Saxony?
To-morrow he resigns, he leaves our service
And Hanover for ever. Understand me.
I want no scandal, Clara, and to-morrow
Quietly we close the page of Königsmarck.
Madame Platen. Do you imagine these lovers then to-night
Bidding a long farewell, bathed in their tears?
Bidding farewell! Oh innocent Elector!
Learn now the truth.
Locked in each other's arms, with insolent joy,
With scorn and mockery they plan defiance,
A sounding insult, an unheard-of outrage
On the crown of Hanover, the dignity
And honour of your House. Look at this letter—
I have more here, I speak not without book.
The Princess of Hanover means to escape.
To-morrow she will fly, all is prepared.
Whither will fly? To the Duke of Wolfenbüttel!
The man that but for you had been her husband,
Your Highness' enemy, the enemy
Of Hanover—the Duke of Wolfenbüttel!
Elector. The Princess fly? Bah! that's impossible.
She has not a gulden in her purse——
Madame Platen. She will have.
The sly d'Olbreuse, the scheming Frenchwoman,
Has conjured a new fortune, God knows whence,
And means to endow her daughter. Königsmarck
Not vainly revels with his King of Saxony.
Marshal he is, master of lands he will be,
And means under the nose of Hanover
To have and hold your Princess.
Elector. Give me the letters,
I'll see these letters.
[Reads papers handed to him by MADAME PLATEN
Damned audacious scoundrel!
And Sophie too! Traitors! To Wolfenbüttel!
She dares write to the Duke? Ungrateful drab!
So we are dirt, we of the House of Hanover,
Compared to Königsmarck! Ho, ho! we flatter,
Cajole friend Wolfenbüttel, count the hours
Till we can snap our fingers at Electors,
Safe with our Kings and Dukes. To Wolfenbüttel?
To hell with you!—Reach me some paper, Clara,
Ink, sealing-wax.
Königsmarck is in her chamber
To-night, you say?
Madame Platen. He was. You must strike quickly
If you would not miss your blow.
Elector. [Writing and handing her a sealed paper.]
You will take these orders
To the Captain of the Guard-room. Trusty soldiers,
Four of them, halberdiers, will accompany you,
Under your orders, to the Leine Palais—
No, Clara, not to the apartment of the Princess,
To the Hall of Knights. If Königsmarck be yonder,
He must needs pass out along the corridor
To the private stair, by the door that's opposite
The door of the great Hall. Well then, secure him.
Quietly—no bloodshed! Nay, the villain's handsome,
You will deal tenderly with him. For the Princess,
With her you shall not deal. I will follow you
When I am ready. Secure your prisoner,
And wait until I come to you.
Madame Platen. Your Highness
Shall be instantly obeyed. [She goes out.
Elector. To Wolfenbüttel!
Heartless, ungrateful girl! Sophie, I renounce thee.

SCENE III.

The Hall of Knights in the Leine Palais, dimly lighted by a lamp. A door is
open, leading into a corridor, and showing another door opposite. Four
halberdiers stand in the hall. MADAME PLATEN is in the corridor, engaged in

cautiously turning and removing the key of the opposite door. She then comes
into the Hall and addresses the halberdiers.

Madame Platen. Here, under the great chimney-piece, in the shadow,
Await my signal. The man who makes your business
Will come stealthily along the corridor,
He will try that door, wondering to find it locked,
Which he left open—then, I raise my hand.
First Halberdier. Your ladyship would have us strike him down,
Or take him prisoner, using him with respect?
We are soldiers, Madam, we know how to obey,
But we want our orders.
Madame Platen. Have I not told you, fellow?
You must take him prisoner. If he should resist—
And being a gentleman and fully armed,
Surely he comes well-armed, he will resist—
Why, use your weapons, men, strike to some purpose,
What's primary is he does not escape.
Secure the man, unhurt, but should he struggle
Be not too scrupulous, strike as you may.
First Halberdier. We'll carry out your ladyship's commands,
If we have understood them.
Madame Platen. Now stand back.
[The HALBERDIERS hide themselves under the great chimney-piece,

in the shadow of the carved knights. MADAME PLATEN goes to the door and
peers cautiously down the corridor.
Madame Platen. [Muttering to herself.] And still he does not come.
A long love-tryst, ay, and a long farewell.
Adventurous fool!
How dares he linger? Nay, her arms are about him
And will not let him go—yet some few kisses!
[She paces the Hall once or twice, then returns to her post of
observation. Two o'clock tolls from the bells of the town without.
It is two o'clock. Listen! No, I hear nothing,
Nothing except the wind shaking the doors.
The nights are short, and soon the stealthy dawn
Creeps in. Dost thou forget to count the hours,
The swift short hours? Are they so sweet, Königsmarck?
Hurry those long kisses, for I, I too
Would keep a tryst with thee.
[She approaches the chimney-piece under which the HALBERDIERS
are lurking, and speaks to them.
Should he resist,
Fear nothing but to miss your capture—kill him.
[She returns to the open door and again peers cautiously down the
corridor, listening. At length a door is heard opening and closing in the
distance. She moves stealthily back into the Hall and speaks to the Soldiers.
The man is coming. You have your orders. Kill him.
First Halberdier. We shall obey your ladyship's orders.
[KÖNIGSMARCK is heard walking carelessly along the corridor. In

a minute he is visible through the doorway carrying a light, dressed in a
riding-suit and armed only with a very small sword. Finding the door opposite
that leading into the Hall locked, he places his light on the ground and kneels

to examine the lock.
Madame Platen. [To the Soldiers.] Kill him.
[The HALBERDIERS rush upon KÖNIGSMARCK, who leaps to
his feet.
First Halberdier. Yield yourself prisoner.
[KÖNIGSMARCK draws his sword and endeavours to defend himself.

He is struck down by the HALBERDIERS.
Madame Platen. Hold! O, Jesus, Jesus!
Königsmarck. Cursed assassins!
Madame Platen. God! You have murdered him.
See, see! He bleeds!
First Halberdier. Yes, we have killed the man,
According to your ladyship's orders.
Madame Platen. Is he dead?
First Halberdier. No, but he will be presently.
Madame Platen. Bring him in.
[The HALBERDIERS lift up KÖNIGSMARCK and bring him into

the Hall.
Lay him here on the ground.
Now Heaven be thanked, he breathes!
'Tis a small wound——
Königsmarck. Killed like a rat in a trap!
My God, the Princess——!
Madame Platen. She brought you to this.
Why were you false to me? Philip, my Philip,
I hate thee not, wilt thou not look on me?
'Twas but a moment's anger—it is the Princess
Has been thy ruin. Philip! O look up!
Merciful God, he is dying! Courage, love,
'Tis but a little wound, it cannot kill thee;
No, I'll not let thee die.
Fetch a physician!
Run for some help!
First Halberdier. Lady, the man's past help.
We have done his business.
[KÖNIGSMARK opens his eyes, raises himself somewhat, and without

observing MADAME PLATEN, addresses the HALBERDIERS.
Königsmarck. Men, I charge you solemnly,
You that have murdered me, do no worse murder,
Kill not my testimony, but bear witness,
I, Philip of Königsmarck, here dying,
Declare the Princess innocent. The Princess
Of Hanover, I say, is innocent.
Remember—she is innocent.
Madame Platen. The Princess!
She who has brought thee to this bloody end,
Lured thee, fond wretch——
Königsmarck. Platen! Is it thou? She-devil!
O my poor lady,
Left to this monster's mercy! My dying curse,
Platen, my dying curse——
Madame Platen. I will not hear it!
[She stops her ears and stamps upon KÖNIGSMARCK'S mouth. He

drops back with a groan.
First Halberdier. She-devil, said he!
Other Halberdiers. Now, God pardon us!
A devil's dam!
Madame Platen. Fellows, I slipped in his blood—
And trod by accident—God how he groans!
Merciful God, he groans——!
First Halberdier. Rattles in his throat.
Second Halberdier. He is all but dead.
Third Halberdier. Would he were buried.
Madame Platen. Dead?
Philip, I never meant it—No, not dead!
How couldst thou dream I hated thee? I loved thee,
I love thee to despair, to madness, Philip,
Look up, adored, beloved, speak, pardon me—
Nay, torture if thou wilt, reproach, revile,
Swear that thou lovest her, only come back—
Not dead—dead—dead!

Enter the ELECTOR in his usual dress.

Elector. Eh! What's all this?
What's wrong with him?
First Halberdier. He is dead—if that be wrong.
Elector. Hell and damnation! Dead! You blundering fools,
I said, secure the man.
First Halberdier. We had our orders
And have obeyed them. Let your Highness ask the lady.
Elector. Come, Madam, come! Stand up and stop your snivelling,
Though you may well be grieved. A sorry business!
Madame Platen. I never meant—Dear God, how could I mean
To kill him? Hear me swear——
Elector. You knew my wishes;
To avoid scandal, noise and violence,
And you murder me a man here on the threshold
Of the Princess's apartment. Man, say I!
Kill me a Marshal of Saxony.
God be with us!
Here is a foul deed and a foolish.
Madame Platen. Sir,
Pardon me, do not reprimand these men,
These honest men, whose zeal has made their error.
They would have seized him, but he fought; your Highness
Knows him not easily overmatched, a fighter
Fierce and impetuous—thus it chanced in the struggle,
It happened he was hurt, mortally hurt.
An evil chance! Oh, I call Christ to witness,
If but these heavy tears were my heart's blood,——
Elector. Yes, you are bitter sorry; but whether you meant it,
And why you should have meant it—that God knows,
And you perhaps. For Königsmarck himself
I am not so much concerned. He had outrun
A long lease of indulgence, and cold steel
Was all in his trade.
Ay, thou fine piece of flesh,
What wouldst thou with this woman's ware of beauty?
Thou had' else been a good soldier.
'Twas ill done
For him, for me whom all my enemies
And his too powerful friends will hold accountable
For your so bloody deed.
[To the HALBERDIERS.] Listen, you men!
All you have done and seen and what you shall do
This night is silence. There's no penalty
So hard, not even death, but I'll inflict it
On the man who breathes a syllable. For the rest
A well-lined purse is better satisfaction
To men than gabble.
'Tis an awkward business,
This of the corpse. Folks will be stirring shortly
Outside the palace. Diantre! I think I have it.
There's a disused stairway, a blind entrance
Near this, under an arras. There we'll hide it
Till further counsel.
First Halberdier. May it please your Highness,
The weather's hot. Some noses would scent blood
Long before noon to-morrow. There be masons
Working about the palace and their stuff
Stands just without. This fellow and myself
Have been of the trade; I warrant in an hour
We build yon carrion up past all discovery,
If so it please your Highness.
Elector. What? You can?
Fellow, thou bear'st a brain. Take up the body
And follow me. Some of you before morning
Must wash this blood away. Though it be little,
It will tell tales.
[The HALBERDIERS take up the corpse of KÖNIGSMARCK and
follow the ELECTOR out of the Hall.
Madame Platen. This corpse they carry
Is Königsmarck; I have looked my last upon him
For ever and a day. Soon wilt thou know it,
Soon wilt thou suffer, Clara: not to-night.
This blood is the heart's blood of Königsmarck,
And I have willed it so. Nay, that's extravagant
Beyond the edge of nightmare, laughable
For the madness of it. I kill Königsmarck?
Yet will I shift the light, I'll see it no more
For fear of recollections.
[Looking down the corridor.]
Princess of Hanover,
'Tis thou hast murdered him, not I, 'tis thou
Hast damned my soul to everlasting torment,
Thou and thy mad kisses.
Shall I suffer alone?
I have made all smooth for thee, thou'lt weep awhile
And then walk virtuously and wear a crown;
But I shall suffer. No! There shall be some woe,
Some punishment, vengeance shall overtake thee!
[The ELECTOR returns.
Elector. A dark, ill-omened room!
Come with me, Madam,
Seek your apartment, we must make pretence
To sleep. Pray God this matter go no further!
Madame Platen. What of—the corpse?
Elector. There we are fortunate.
Tools are to hand, bricks, mortar, handy fellows,
And the blind stairway. If there be none wakeful
To note the noise they make building him in,
By morning that your bloody handiwork
Will lie concealed for ever.
Madame Platen. Thus? No burial?
Some will surmise——
Elector. The Princess—yet she dare not.
Madame Platen. What of the Princess?
Elector. Let her enemies
Deal with the Princess. I'll not stand her friend.
A curse on her and you! A curse on women!
There's Death and Silence yonder, say Amen.
God! what a tumbled heap of grinning death
Stares at them yet awhile! An hour ago
This was a man, and full of insolent life,
Amorous and brave, courted, a friend of kings;
Now like a dead rat mouldering in a wainscote,
He's left till Judgement Day.
Madame Platen. Till Judgement Day.
[They go out. The lamp flickers and dies down.

SCENE IV.

The same. The Hall is in darkness. The PRINCESS comes in carrying a
candle, and followed by LEONORA, who is laden with papers. As they talk the

grey light of dawn begins to steal into the Hall.

Leonora. See, there is wood on the hearth, good dry wood
Ready for kindling.
[She kindles the fire.
If your Highness will sit here
And choose out what's to burn, we'll make a bonfire
To celebrate the end of your captivity,
Though it be some hours too soon.
Princess. No, not a moment.
Already I am air. They might as easily
Hold a white mist-wreath which the mounting sun
Spirits away up the unceiled blue!
[She seats herself, and while they talk she sorts out papers which

LEONORA burns.
Leonora. I am glad your Highness
Is of so good a courage. Yesterday
You were otherwise.
Princess. Yesterday, Leonora,
Was a blank day, mere blank. I had not seen him,
Seen how fair Fortune and high courage sit
Throned on his face.
Leonora. This time to-morrow morning
We should be jogging through the dark to Wolfenbüttel,
I would all were well over.
Princess. So it will be
This time to-morrow morning.
Leonora. I pray God!
Hush! Do you hear that noise?
Princess. Poor Leonora!
You are grown so fearful that a rat in the wall
Can make you shudder. Faithful and dear friend,
One day you shall be recompensed for all,
Meantime be not afraid. In this adventure
Is not more peril than we have encountered
Often enough before.
There's not a point
Is unprepared for us in all the journey,
And you know well how easily we two
May slip away unnoticed.
Leonora. Forgive me, Madam.
I am overwrought. Listen! Those sounds again.
I marvel what they mean.
Princess. Builders at work.
Leonora. At dead of night?
Princess. The night is almost over,
Soon will the topmost towers discern the day.
The day! The day! O last of all the days
I have spent in extreme penury of joy,
In garish misery, unhelped wrong,
And in unpardonable dishonour. God,
Who never granted me so much of happiness
As Thy least bird in May, grant to our love
This final brave escape! Let us cut loose,
Loose from the tangling years, the coil of circumstance,
And stand free before Thee, free to each other.
Grant it and we have sworn by no transgression
Again to offend, to serve Thee all our lives—
Only grant us to-morrow!
[A slight crash without, as of a brick falling.
Leonora. Hush! What was that?
Princess. 'Twas here he held me first upon his heart,
With little kisses lighter than a child's,
He kissed me here, who with far other kisses
Has bound me since to him; and sweet was love
But ah, how new! And yet more strange than sweet.
What did I know of happiness,
As now I know it, of long, intimate love? Leonora!
Shall I say that also in the time to come,
When this to-morrow is the yesterday
Of our new life, when we, husband and wife,
Under what stars I know not nor consider,
Spend our unprisoned days?
Shall I not wonder how these two poor lovers
Imagined themselves to have known happiness?
But we shall know it,
Calm, perfect happiness.
Up lingering dawn!
Why dost thou creep so pale, like one afraid?
I want the sun! I want to-morrow!
Leonora. Madam,
There was a hand on the door. What can these builders
Be doing here at this hour?
Princess. Why, they're building.
What does it matter? Let them build all night,
I warrant they'll not build a wall so high
Love cannot overleap it.
Leonora. May Heaven prosper us!
Let us to bed and sleep and never dream.
[They prepare to leave the Hall.
Princess. Leonora, bring the light. Do you see? A stain
Here on the floor, here on my dress, dark red.
Leonora. What can it mean?
Princess. O God! What can it be?
Answer me, girl!
Leonora. Blood, Madam.
Princess. Blood!—Whose blood?

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