Poems by George Pope Morris Part 42

I do indeed. You are in the right, my brave compatriots--for my advanced age and increasing infirmities admonish me that I shall be under the necessity of following your advice. But on the day of battle, you shall see me on horseback--ON HORSEBACK--and in the thickest of the fight! (Crosses the stage, as a BURGOMASTER enters, kneels, and presents a pet.i.tion.) What have we here?

BURGOMASTER.

Sire--the common council has imprisoned a citizen, upon an accusation that he has sinned against heaven, the king, and the right worshipful the common council. We humbly beg to know what Your Majesty's pleasure is with regard to the punishment of so unparalleled and atrocious an offender?

KING.

If the prisoner has sinned against heaven, and is not a fool or a madman, he will make his peace with it without delay. This is a Power (taking off his hat--all the characters make their obeisance) that kings themselves must bow to in reverential awe. (Resumes his hat.)

BURGOMASTER.

But he has also sinned against your high and mighty majesty--

KING.

Tush, tush, man!

BURGOMASTER (profoundly.) On my official veracity, sire.

KING.

Well, well, for that I pardon him--

BURGOMASTER.

And he has likewise sinned against the right worshipful the common council.

KING.

The reprobate!--

BURGOMASTER.

It is most veritable, Your Majesty!

KING.

Well, for that terrible and enormous offence, it becomes my solemn duty to make an example of so abominable a culprit and to punish him in a must exemplary manner.

Therefore--

BURGOMASTER.

Yes, Your Majesty--

KING.

Send him to the Castle of Spandau, to be imprisoned--

BURGOMASTER.

Your Majesty--

KING.

For at least--

BURGOMASTER.

Sire--

KING.

Half an hour (PEASANTRY laugh;)--and afterward he is at liberty to go to the devil his own way; and the right worshipful the common council may go with him, if they like!

(Exit BURGOMASTER. As he goes out, shrugging his shoulders, all the PEASANTRY laugh, until checked by a look from the KING, who crosses the stage to the Grenadiers, and addresses the CORPORAL, who has his watch-riband suspended.)

KING.

Corporal! (He advances and recovers arms.)

CORPORAL.

Your Majesty!

KING.

I have often noticed you in the field. You are a brave soldier--and a prudent one, too, to have saved enough from your pay to buy yourself a watch.

HAROLD (aside to CORPORAL.) You remember what I told you about a hawk's eye.

CORPORAL.

Brave I flatter myself I am; but as to my watch, it is of little signification.

KING (Seizing and pulling out a bullet fastened to the CORPORAL's watch-riband.) Why, this is not a watch!--It's a bullet!

CORPORAL.

It's the only watch I have, Your Majesty; but I have not worn it entirely out of vanity--

KING.

What have you worn it for, then? It does not show you the time of day!

CORPORAL.

No; bit it clearly shows me the death I am to die in your Majesty's service.

KING.

Well said, my brave fellow! And, that you may likewise see the hour among the twelve in which you ARE to die, I will give you my watch. Take it, and wear it for my sake corporal. (The KING gives the CORPORAL his watch.)

CORPORAL (with emotion.) It will also teach me that at any moment Your Majesty may command my life.

HAROLD (enthusiastically.) And the lives of us all. Long live the King!

(Flourish of drums. The KING acknowledges the salute.)

KING (to Grenadiers.) You, my brave fellows, are my own guards. I can rely upon YOU. There is no want of discipline here--eh, General? Notwithstanding all my annoyances, I am the happiest king in Christendom!

CHORUS (Grenadiers and all the characters) All hail the king!--Long live the king!

Our hope in peace and war!

With his renown let Prussia ring-- Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!

He is the pillar of the state!

Our sword and buckler he!

Heaven give to Frederick the Great Eternal victory!

(The GRENADIERS cheer. The OFFICERS close about the KING. Flourish and tableau.

The act-drop descends on the picture.)

End of the First Act.