Poems by George Pope Morris Part 51

KARL (drawing his dagger.) You call in vain! Your doom is sealed!--Die! (As he is about to stab SOPHIA, WEDGEWOOD seizes his arm.)

WEDGEWOOD.

You lie, you infernal scoundrel!

KARL.

Ha! betrayed!--Have at you, then! (A struggle ensues between KARL and WEDGEWOOD, in which the former is overcome, and thrown upon the ground. SOPHIA rushes into ALBERT's arms in great agitation. HAROLD advances to the center of the stage, and aims his carbine at KARL. At the same moment, WEDGEWOOD, who has had a desperate struggle with KARL, exclaims--)

WEDGEWOOD Your dagger! your dagger! (Wrests it from him.) Now yield, or die!--(Rises, places his foot upon KARL, and holds the dagger up)--If it is convenient!

(Tableau.--Scene closes.)

[Exit.

Scene II.

Another cell in the Castle of Spandau.--Enter COUNT LANISKA and JAILOR.

JAILOR.

Count Laniska, you bear the king's commission, although a prisoner; therefore, while I leave you to examine these papers (hands papers,) received from Mr. Worrendorf, I rely upon your honor not to attempt to escape.

COUNT.

Your confidence is not misplaced, believe me. [Exit JAILOR.]--(Looks at papers.) My friend is unwearied in my cause. But I am a soldier, and have ever held my life at the disposal of the king. If Sophia were free and happy, I could look upon death with an undaunted spirit. (Puts up papers.) How like an angel she appeared when last I gazed upon her heavenly face--now glistening with the tear, now radiant with the smile of beauty!

SONG--LANISKA.

The gentle bird on yonder spray, That sings its little life away; The rose-bud bursting into flower, And glittering in the sun and shower; The cherry-blossom on the tree-- Are emblematic all of thee.

Yon moon that sways the va.s.sal streams, Like thee in modest beauty beams; So s.h.i.+nes the diamond of the mine, And the rock-crystal of the brine; The gems of heaven, the earth and sea, Are blended, all, dear maid, in thee!

[Exit

Scene III.

An Apartment in the Gallery of Paintings at Sans Souci. Enter ALBERT and WEDGEWOOD in haste, meeting the COUNTESS LANISKA.

ALBERT.

Have you seen the king?

COUNTESS.

His Majesty has not yet appeared.

WEDGEWOOD.

A crate of mouldy straw for your warlike government! (Snaps his fingers.) That for your soldier-like system of doing business! I wouldn't give a broken basin for it! Why, the commanding officer has only to say, "Hang me up that tall fellow like a scarecrow," and up he goes--tzck!--or, "Give me that short chap the cat-o'-nine-tails," and, whack, he has it--or, "Shoot me yonder half-dozen specimens of humanity," and bang, 'tis done!

(Enter FREDERICK, followed by HAROLD, unperceived, at the back of the stage.)

ALBERT.

If the king would but listen to reason--

WEDGEWOOD.

Ay, but he won't! I never saw such a resolute old curmudgeon; and then he's so proud, too! He's like a hard-baked stone jar--he won't bend anyhow. I know why he gave me his snuff-box: it was because I happened to help myself to a pinch out of the dirty old trumpery! If he, or you, or all of you, by any chance happened to live in England, or any other civilized country, this poor count, and the girl too, would have an impartial hearing before they were condemned.

COUNTESS.

But under this government we have blessings unknown to yours--

WEDGEWOOD.

But me no buts, madam! Give me the blessings of living under a government where no man can be condemned without a fair trail by jury, madam. To you Prussians, this is a matter of favor; but to us Englishmen, it is a matter of right!

COUNTESS.

Would to Heaven that my son and this poor girl could have such a trial!--

ALBERT.

And would to Heaven I might plead their cause!

(The KING, who has paid great attention to their conversation, walks down the stage, and suddenly stands in the midst of them. They all start, and fall back.)

KING.

On one condition you shall--

OMNES.

The king!

KING.

On one condition, young man, your prayer shall be granted.

ALBERT.

Name it, sire--

KING.

If you fail to convince the judges of their innocence, that you shall share their punishment. Do you agree?

ALBERT.

I do, and set my life upon the issue.