HOHENZOLLERN.  The death warrant.

THE PRINCE.  Who was it told you that?

HOHENZOLLERN.  The Marshal.

THE PRINCE.  When?

HOHENZOLL.  Just now.

THE PRINCE.  Returning from the sovereign?

HOHENZOLL.  The stairs descending from the sovereign. 
  And added, when he saw my startled face,
  That nothing yet was lost, and that the dawn
  Would bring another day for pardoning. 
  But the dead pallor of his lips disproved
  Their spoken utterance, with, I fear it—­no!

THE PRINCE (rising). 
  He could—­I’ll not believe it!—­bring to birth
  Such monstrous resolutions in his heart? 
  For a defect, scarce visible to the lens,
  In the bright diamond he but just received,
  Tread in the dust the giver?  ’Twere a deed
  To burn the Dey of Algiers white:  with wings
  Like those that silver-gleam on cherubim
  To dizen Sardanapalus, and cast
  The assembled tyrannies of ancient Rome,
  Guiltless as babes that die on mother-breast,
  Over upon the favor-hand of God!

HOHENZOLLERN (who has likewise risen). 
  My friend, you must convince yourself of that!

THE PRINCE.  The Marshal then was silent, said nought else?

HOHENZOLL.  What should he say?

THE PRINCE.  Oh, heaven, my hope, my hope!

HOHENZOLL.  Come, have you ever done a thing, perchance,
  Be it unconsciously or consciously,
  That might have given his lofty heart offense?

THE PRINCE.  Never!

HOHENZOLLERN.  Consider!

THE PRINCE.  Never, by high heaven! 
  The very shadow of his head was sacred.

HOHENZOLL.  Do not be angry, Arthur, if I doubt. 
  Count Horn has come, the Ambassador of Sweden,
  And I am told with all authority
  His business concerns the Princess Orange. 
  A word her aunt, the Electress, spoke, they say,
  Has cut the sovereign to the very quick;
  They say, the lady has already chosen. 
  Are you in no way tangled up in this?

THE PRINCE.  Dear God, what are you saying?

HOHENZOLLERN.  Are you?  Are you?

THE PRINCE.  Oh, friend, I am!  And now all things are clear! 
  It is that wooing that destroys me quite. 
  I am accountable if she refuse,
  Because the Princess is betrothed to me.

HOHENZOLL.  You feather-headed fool, what have you done? 
  How often have I warned you, loyally!

THE PRINCE.  Oh, friend!  Then help me!  Save me!  I am lost!

HOHENZOLL.  Ay, what expedient saves us in this gloom? 
  Come, would you like to see her aunt, the Electress?

THE PRINCE (turning). 
  Ho, watch!

TROOPER (in the background).  Here!