The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 39

Give it me! Will you accept it, prince, instead of yours?

PHILOTAS.

Let me see! Ha! (_aside_.) Be thanked, ye G.o.ds! (_eyeing it long and earnestly_). A sword!

STRATO.

Have I not chosen well, prince?

ARIDaUS.

What do you find in it so worthy of your deep attention?

PHILOTAS.

That it is a sword!--(_recovering himself_.) And a beautiful sword! I shall not lose anything by this exchange. A sword!

ARIDaUS.

You tremble, prince!

PHILOTAS.

With joy! It seems, however, a trifle short for me. But why short? A step nearer to the enemy replaces what is wanting in the steel. Beloved sword! What a beautiful thing is a sword,--to play with and to use! I have never played with anything else.

ARIDaUS (_to_ Strato).

O the wondrous combination of child and hero!

PHILOTAS (_aside_).

Beloved sword! Could I but be alone with thee! But, courage!

ARIDaUS.

Now gird on the sword, prince, and follow me!

PHILOTAS.

Directly! Yet one must not know one's friend and one's sword only outwardly (_he draws it, and_ Strato _steps between him and the king_).

STRATO.

I understand the steel better than the workmans.h.i.+p. Believe me, prince, the steel is good. The king has cleft more than one helmet with it since his youth.

PHILOTAS.

I shall never grow so strong as that! But--Do not step so near, Strato!

STRATO.

Why not?

PHILOTAS.

So! (_springing back and swinging the sword through the air_). It has the right swing.

ARIDaUS.

Prince, spare your wounded arm! You will excite yourself!

PHILOTAS.

Of what do you remind me, king? Of my misfortune--no, of my shame! I was wounded and made prisoner. Yes, but I shall never be so again! By this my sword, I shall never be so again! No, my father, no! To-day a wonder spares you the shameful ransom of your son; his death may spare it you in the future!--His certain death, when he shall see himself surrounded again! Surrounded again? Horrible! I am so! I am surrounded!

What now? Companions! Friends! Brothers! Where are you? All dead?

Enemies everywhere! Through here, Philotas! Ha! That is for you, rash fellow!--And that for you!--And that for you! (_striking around him_.)

STRATO.

Prince! what ails you? Calm yourself (_approaches him_.)

PHILOTAS (_stepping away from him_).

You too, Strato? You too? O, foe, be generous! Kill me! Do not make me captive! No, I do not deliver myself up! Were you all, who surround me, Stratos, yet I will defend myself against you all--against a world will I defend myself! Do your best, my foes! But you will not? You will not kill me, cruel men? You only wish to have me alive? I laugh at you! To take me prisoner alive? Me? Sooner shall this sword--this sword--shall pierce this breast--sooner--before--(_he stabs himself_.)

ARIDaUS.

G.o.d! Strato!

STRATO.

King!

PHILOTAS.

I wished it thus! (_sinking back_.)

ARIDaUS.

Hold him, Strato! Help! help for the prince! Prince, what raving anguish----

PHILOTAS.

Forgive me, king! I have dealt you a more deadly blow than myself! I die, and soon will peaceful lands enjoy the fruit of my death. Your son, king, is a prisoner, and the son of my father is free!

ARIDaUS.

What do I hear?