HOHENZOLLERN.  No?

THE PRINCE.  No.

HOHENZOLLERN.  Then how can you be free?

THE PRINCE (after a pause). 
  I thought that you were bringing it.—­What of it?

HOHENZOLL.  I know of nothing.

THE PRINCE.  Well, you heard:  What of it? 
  He’ll send some other one to let me know.

[He turns and brings chairs.]

Sit down.  Now come and tell me all the news. 
Has he returned, the Elector, from Berlin?

HOHENZOLL.  Yes.  Yester eve.

THE PRINCE.  And did they celebrate
  The victory as planned?—­Assuredly! 
  And he was at the church himself, the Elector?

HOHENZOLL.  With the Electress and with Natalie. 
  The church was wonderfully bright with lights;
  Upon the palace-square artillery
  Through the Te Deum spoke with solemn splendor. 
  The Swedish flags and standards over us
  Swung from the church’s columns, trophy-wise,
  And, on the sovereign’s express command,
  Your name was spoken from the chancel high,
  Your name was spoken, as the victor’s name.

THE PRINCE.  I heard that.—­Well, what other news?  What’s yours? 
  Your face, my friend, is scarcely frolicsome.

HOHENZOLL.  Have you seen anybody?

THE PRINCE.  Golz, just now,
  I’ the Castle where, you know, I had my trial.

[Pause.]

HOHENZOLLERN (regarding him doubtfully). 
  What do you think of your position, Arthur,
  Since it has suffered such a curious change?

THE PRINCE.  What you and Golz and even the judges think—­
  The Elector has fulfilled what duty asked,
  And now he’ll do as well the heart’s behest. 
  Thus he’ll address me, gravely:  You have erred
  (Put in a word perhaps of “death” and “fortress"),
  But I grant you your liberty again—­
  And round the sword that won his victory
  Perhaps there’ll even twine some mark of grace;
  If not that, good; I did not merit that.

HOHENZOLL.  Oh, Arthur! [He pauses.]

THE PRINCE.  Well?

HOHENZOLLERN.  Are you so very sure?

THE PRINCE.  So I have laid it out.  I know he loves me,
  He loves me like a son; since early childhood
  A thousand signs have amply proven that. 
  What doubt is in your heart that stirs you so? 
  Has he not ever seemed to take more joy
  Than I myself to see my young fame grow? 
  All that I am, am I not all through him? 
  And he should now unkindly tread in dust
  The plant himself has nurtured, just because
  Too swiftly opulent it flowered forth? 
  I’ll not believe his worst foe could think that—­
  And far less you who know and cherish him.

HOHENZOLLERN (significantly). 
  Arthur, you’ve stood your trial in court-martial,
  And you believe that still?