Poems by George Pope Morris Part 52

KING.

Your life shall answer for it if you fail. (To HAROLD.) Give orders that the hall of the castle be immediately prepared for the trial. Use dispatch, Harold! [Exit HAROLD.] (To the COUNTESS.) You, madam, I believe to be wholly ignorant of your son's treachery.

COUNTESS.

If he be guilty--

KING (sarcastically.) IF he be guilty, madam?

COUNTESS.

Yes, sire; if he has forgotten what Your Majesty has done for Poland, he is no son of mine!

KING.

I shall spare you all the reflections I have made on the subject, madam. Tyrant as I am, I shall not punish the innocent mother for the guilty son. But perhaps this gentleman [ALBERT] and you [WEDGEWOOD] recommended trial--

WEDGEWOOD.

Trial by jury! Your Majesty has said it! There's freedom in the very words!

KING.

How is it to be managed?

WEDGEWOOD.

Managed, Your Majesty? Why, according to law and justice.

KING.

Good!

WEDGEWOOD.

Twelve honest, upright, free, and independent men are empanelled to hear the case--

KING.

Good again!

WEDGEWOOD.

All the witnesses are examined, and all the testimony fairly summed up by learned counsel!

KING.

Excellent!

WEDGEWOOD.

Then the grave expounders of the law--the judges--charge the jury, who, upon their oaths, return a verdict--

KING.

A glorious inst.i.tution!

WEDGEWOOD.

The s.h.i.+eld and protection of the rights of man--the bulwark of civil and religious liberty--and the admiration of the whole civilized world! Democratically odd!

KING.

Well--well--well--so justice be done, I care not for the means.

WEDGEWOOD.

By jingo, he genuine porcelain! It's all right--fair, square, and above board--a clear field and no favor!

(Enter HAROLD.)

HAROLD.

Everything is in preparation. The judges are proceeding to their seats; the jury will soon be sworn, and the prisoners arraigned at the bar--

WEDGEWOOD (to HAROLD.) Who's the crier of the court?

HAROLD.

That office is not yet filled. [Exit.

WEDGEWOOD.

That won't do--Illegally odd!

KING.

Perhaps, Mr. Wedgewood, you would like the appointment yourself?

WEDGEWOOD.

If it is convenient.

KING.

I confer it upon you.

WEDGEWOOD.

Thank Your Majesty. By Jove, we're sailing with wind and tide--a smooth sea below and a clear sky above us!

KING.

Well, gentlemen, I wish you a prosperous voyage; but take care that you do not run your vessel upon the rocks of litigation, and founder among the quicksands of the law.

WEDGEWOOD.

No danger, Your Majesty, with such a pilot! [ALBERT.]--(Sudden and loud shouts and confused noise without. Drums beat to arms.) What is the meaning of all this commotion?

(Enter HAROLD, in haste.)

KING.

Out with it, Harold!

HAROLD.

The rumor of the treachery and ingrat.i.tude of the prisoners has spread like wildfire throughout the city--

KING.

Well!--

HAROLD.

The populace are in a ferment at the indignity offered to our beloved monarch, and demand the instant execution of the prisoners.

KING.

Well, well; say on.