The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries - LightNovelsOnl.com
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MARSHAL (_continuing_).
Takes station in the plain near Hackelwitz Facing the right wing of the enemy Well out of range of the artillery fire.
GOLZ (_writing_). Well out of range of the artillery fire.
[_The_ ELECTRESS _ties a scarf about the_ PRINCESS' _throat. The_ PRINCESS, _about to draw on a glove, looks around as if she were in search of something._]
ELECTOR (_approaches her_).
Dear little girl of mine, what have you lost?
ELECTRESS. What are you searching for?
NATALIE. Why, Auntie dear, My glove! I can't imagine--
[_They all look about._]
ELECTOR (_to the ladies-in-waiting_). Would you mind?--
ELECTRESS (_to the_ PRINCESS). It's in your hand.
NATALIE. The right glove; but the left?
ELECTOR. You may have left it in your bedroom.
NATALIE. Oh, Bork, if you will?
ELECTOR _(to the lady-in-waiting)_. Quick, quick!
NATALIE. Look on the mantel.
[_The lady-in-waiting goes out.-]
THE PRINCE _(aside)_.
Lord of my life? Could I have heard aright?
[_He draws the glove from his collar._]
MARSHAL _(looking down at the paper which he holds in his hand)_.
Well out of range of the artillery fire.
[_Continuing_.]
The Prince's Highness--
THE PRINCE _(regarding now the glove, now the PRINCESS)_.
It's this glove she's seeking--
MARSHAL. At our lord sovereign's express command--
GOLZ _(writing)_. At our lord sovereign's express command--
MARSHAL. Whichever way the tide of battle turn Shall budge not from his designated place.
THE PRINCE. Quick! Now I'll know in truth if it be hers.
_[He lets the glove fall, together with his handkerchief; then recovers the handkerchief but leaves the glove lying where everybody can see it.]_
MARSHAL _(piqued)_. What is His Highness up to?
HOHENZOLLERN _(aside)_. Arthur!
THE PRINCE. Here!
HOHENZOLL. Faith, you're possessed!
THE PRINCE. My Marshal, to command!
_[He takes up pen and tablet once more. The_ MARSHAL _regards him an instant, questioningly. Pause.]_
GOLZ _(reading, after he has finished writing)_.
Shall budge not from his designated place.
MARSHAL (continues).
Until, hard pressed by Hennings and by Truchsz--
THE PRINCE (looking over GOLZ's shoulder).
Who, my dear Golz? What? I?
GOLZ. Why, yes. Who else
THE PRINCE. I shall not budge--
GOLZ. That's it.
MARSHAL. Well, have you got it
THE PRINCE (aloud).
Shall budge not from my designated place.
[He writes.]
MARSHAL. Until, hard pressed by Hennings and by Truchsz-- [He pauses.]
The left wing of the enemy, dissolved, Plunges upon its right, and wavering The ma.s.sed battalions crowd into the plain, Where, in the marsh, criss-crossed by ditch on ditch, The plan intends that they be wholly crushed.
ELECTOR. Lights, pages! Come, my dear, your arm, and yours.
[He starts to go out with the ELECTRESS and the PRINCESS.]
MARSHAL. Then he shall let the trumpets sound the charge.
