The Three Heron's Feathers Part 6

_Duke_ [_whispers_], Skoll, do not forget ... where are the others?

_Skoll_. Who knows?

_Duke_. But was there not a great feast to-night?

_Skoll_. Yes. But they flung us out just now.

_Duke_. Listen! And heed me well. As soon as that rascal has had enough and grovels in the dust, shout out with all thy might "Hail to King Widwolf!" Dost thou understand?

_Skoll_. Eh? Yes, indeed.

_Anna Goldhair_. Oh! dearest Lady, if I might speak I would beg thee to go. The sight of all the horrors that gather round us will shake thee sorely.

_Queen_. Who stays for me if I will not for him? And is it not fitting for an unhappy mother to protect the head of her child even with her own shattered arm? [_To the young_ Prince.] Listen, my darling. Thou must go. [_To_ Anna Goldhair.] Take him to my waiting-women. Without this sight his heart will all too soon burn with a thirst for blood.

_The Young Prince_. Ah, mother!

_Queen_. Nay, thou must. But nestle once again upon my breast, my dear one, so!

_The Young Prince_ [_running up to_ Prince Witte]. Please, thou strange man, be so good as to conquer for us!

_Prince_ [_smiling_]. If thou art good, my Prince!... How clear their glances sparkle! From those eyes a world of sunshine bursts; alas, I am not worthy of it! [_The young_ Prince _and_ Anna Goldhair _go out._]

[_The_ Chancellor _and a train of n.o.bles come up the steps. After them guards and two trumpeters. The_ Chancellor _makes obeisance and asks the_ Queen _a question. The_ Queen _a.s.sents silently and mounts, holding by the bal.u.s.trade, to the platform on which the throne stands, pushed to one side. The_ Chancellor _makes a sign to the trumpeters, and they blow a signal, which echoes below, then he raises the sword, which a page brings upon a cushion._]

_Chancellor_. Ill.u.s.trious Lady, honored Queen, as chancellor of thy appointed realm, I offer thee this sword whereon to take the oath: that in thy hand, so strong because so weak, what first prevailed as thy country's law, what now prevails, and what shall prevail again when violence and l.u.s.t cease to clutch after our soul's sanctuaries,--that law on which we have relied, so mild it was, because created by a free and happy fatherland--will be forever new and vigorous.

_Queen_. I swear it on the iron sword of my kingdom, and on the runes carved thereupon; though nature has denied it to a woman to avenge a violated oath with her own hand, yet I will never rest in my grave unless all is fulfilled that I have spoken. I swore it solemnly, and on this sword I will announce and reavow to you, that whosoever conquers in this fight may claim me for his wife when he desires.... Speak now, ye who cursed my mourning and my sorrow's backward glance: do I fulfill your will with shuddering? Do I not give ye the King ye seek?

[_The n.o.bles strike their shields with their swords in token of approval._]

_Chancellor_. Now to you who stand prepared to ring the throne and kingdom with the sharpness of your swords; before the land submits itself to the victor, give answer who you are!

_Duke_. Thou knowest me well.

_Chancellor_. Who knows thee not? Flames spread before thee hither like a banner, the vulture knows thee that shrieks after carrion, the auk knows thee on the blood-furrowed sea; yet custom demands, the which thou knowest not, that thou shalt name thyself at this hour.

_Duke_. I am the Duke of Gotland!

_Hans Lorba.s.s_ [_highly excited, pointing to_ Prince Witte]. He is the Duke of Gotland! [_Great disturbance and amazement._]

_Colestin_. We are groping here in a black riddle.

_Chancellor_ [_to_ Prince Witte]. Witness thyself.

_Prince Witte_. If there is a man here in whom dwells a spirit of sacrifice, a worship of the right, and not of power and b.l.o.o.d.y gain, to him I speak, as to a stem of that ancient race which still springs from Gotland's G.o.ds; I boldly say: "I am." But to that vicious misbegotten wight who cringes in the dust and worships tyranny if it but prosper him, to him I say: "No, I am not."

_Chancellor_. A lofty mind, bred in the bitterness which deep sorrow brings, speaks in thy words and gives them weight. But yet--we know not who stands before us as the Duke of Gotland.

_Duke_. It seems to me, my lords, that the sword will show.

_Chancellor_. True enough. If the Queen will.

[_The_ Queen _bows her head in a.s.sent. The_ Chancellor _gives a sign to the trumpeters and they blow a signal which is answered below in the court. The n.o.bles make their obeisances to the_ Queen _and go down the steps to the right and left._]

_Hans Lorba.s.s_ [_meanwhile_]. Remember that thrust I showed thee once: at the arm-joint where the leather is easily cut, thou canst--

_Prince Witte_ [_alarmed_]. Where are the feathers?

_Hans_. How--what--? That witch-work to distract thee now? Here is thy sword, and there the foe! Play with him, tickle him, stroke his beard, till he weeps blood out of his mouth, till--

_Prince_. They are quite safe.

_Hans_. Master!

[Prince Witte _goes last behind_ Duke Widwolf, _with a bow to the_ Queen _in pa.s.sing. She watches him in agitation and follows him with her eyes._]

_Queen_. How is the Prince?

_Anna Goldhair_. As children always are. At first he wept and tried to slip away. Then he lay still and had his playthings brought. Now he lies sprawling under a table, playing at dice, though he understands them not.

_Queen_. While we go to throw upon his life.

[_The_ Queen, Colestin, _the_ Chancellor, Anna Goldhair, _and the other women go out. The guards draw the curtains behind the throne. The applause of the people greeting the_ Queen _rises from the court. Then silence._]

_Skoll_. Well, my heart's brother, so we are alone again.

[Hans Lorba.s.s _without noticing_ Skoll, _tries to pa.s.s the_ First Guard _after_ Prince Witte.]

_First Guard_. Back!

[Hans _tries on the other side of the curtain._]

_Second Guard_. Back! The pa.s.sage is forbidden.

_Hans_. I am the Prince's servant!

_Second Guard_. That may all be; but hast thou not seen--

_Hans_. I counsel thee, take off thy hands!

_Skoll_ [_takes hold of his arm soothingly_]. Come, brother of my heart, be sensible, stay in thy seat; down below there is just a mob of women, and thou wouldst be no use at all.

_Hans_. True enough. [_The drums sound._] The third call! Now is the time!

_Skoll_. Now I can put my hands in my pockets and let them break each other's necks; if I only had something to drink, then--[_as_ Hans _clutches him by the arm in excitement at the first clash of swords sounding from below_] Ouch! Whew! The devil, what a grip thou hast!