THE PRINCE. Because of it! 
  No one, by heaven alive, would go so far
  Who did not have a pardon up his sleeve! 
  Even there, before the judgment bar, it was—­
  Even there it was, my confidence returned. 
  Come, was it such a capital offense
  Two little seconds ere the order said
  To have laid low the stoutness of the Swede? 
  What other felony is on my conscience? 
  And could he summon me, unfeelingly,
  Before this board of owl-like judges, chanting
  Their litanies of bullets and the grave,
  Did he not purpose with a sovereign word
  To step into their circle like a god? 
  No, he is gathering this night of cloud
  About my head, my friend, that he may dawn
  Athwart the gloomy twilight like the sun! 
  And, faith, this pleasure I begrudge him not!

HOHENZOLL.  And yet, they say, the court has spoken judgment.

THE PRINCE.  I heard so:  death.

HOHENZOLLERN (amazed).  You know it then—­so soon?

THE PRINCE.  Golz, who was present when they brought the verdict
  Gave me report of how the judgment fell.

HOHENZOLL.  My God, man!  And it stirred you not at all?

THE PRINCE.  Me?  Why, not in the least!

HOHENZOLLERN.  You maniac! 
  On what then do you prop your confidence?

THE PRINCE.  On what I feel of him! [He rises.] No more, I beg. 
  Why should I fret with insubstantial doubts?

      [He bethinks himself and sits down again.  Pause.]

  The court was forced to make its verdict death;
  For thus the statute reads by which they judge. 
  But ere he let that sentence be fulfilled—­
  Ere, at a kerchief’s fall, he yields this heart
  That loves him truly, to the muskets’ fire,
  Ere that, I say, he’ll lay his own breast bare
  And spill his own blood, drop by drop, in dust.

HOHENZOLL.  But, Arthur, I assure you—­

THE PRINCE (petulantly).  Oh, my dear!

HOHENZOLL.  The Marshal—­

THE PRINCE (still petulantly).  Come, enough!

HOHENZOLLERN.  Hear two words more! 
  If those make no impression, I’ll be mute.

THE PRINCE (turning to him again). 
  I told you, I know all.  Well, now, what is it?

HOHENZOLL.  Most strange it is, a moment since, the Marshal
  Delivered him the warrant for your death. 
  It leaves him liberty to pardon you,
  But he, instead, has given the command
  That it be brought him for his signature.

THE PRINCE.  No matter, I repeat!

HOHENZOLLERN.  No matter?

THE PRINCE.  For—­
  His signature?

HOHENZOLLERN.  By faith, I do assure you!

THE PRINCE.  The warrant?—­No!  The verdict—­