The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 38

PHILOTAS.

Ah! a woman, too, may be listened to with astonishment.

ARIDaUS.

With astonishment, prince, and not without grief. Fate has destined you for the throne! To you it will confide the welfare of a mighty and n.o.ble nation; to you! What dreadful future reveals itself to me! You will overwhelm your people with laurels,--and with misery. You will count more victories than happy subjects. Well for me, that my days will not reach into yours! But woe to my son, to my honest son! You will scarcely allow him to lay aside his armour----

PHILOTAS.

Comfort the father, O king! I shall allow your son far more!--far more!

ARIDaUS.

Far more? Explain yourself.

PHILOTAS.

Have I spoken a riddle? O do not ask, king, that a youth, such as I am, shall always speak with caution and design. I only wished to say the fruit is often very different from what the blossom promises. An effeminate prince, history has taught me, has often proved a warlike king. Could not the reverse occur with me? Or perhaps the meaning of what I said was that I had still a long and dangerous way to the throne. Who knows if the G.o.ds will allow me to accomplish it? And do not let me accomplish it, father of G.o.ds and men, if in the future thou seest in me a waster of the most precious gift which thou hast entrusted to me,--the blood of my subjects!

ARIDaUS.

Yes, prince; what is a king, if he be not a father? What is a hero void of human love? Now I recognise this also in you, and am your friend again! But come, come; we must not remain alone here! We are too serious for one another. Follow me!

PHILOTAS.

Pardon, king----

ARIDaUS.

Do not refuse!

PHILOTAS.

Thus, as I am, shall I show myself to many eyes?

ARIDaUS.

Why not?

PHILOTAS.

I cannot, king, I cannot!

ARIDaUS.

And the reason?

PHILOTAS.

O, the reason! It would make you laugh.

ARIDaUS.

So much the better,--let me hear it! I am a human being, and like to laugh and cry.

PHILOTAS.

Well, laugh then! See, king, I have no sword, and should not like to appear amongst soldiers without this mark of the soldier.

ARIDaUS.

My laughing turns to joy! I have thought of that beforehand, and your wish will be gratified at once. Strato has the order to get your sword again for you.

PHILOTAS.

Let us then await him here!

ARIDaUS.

And then you will accompany me?

PHILOTAS.

Then I will follow you immediately.

ARIDaUS.

As we willed it! There he comes! Well, Strato!

Scene VIII.

Strato (_with a sword in his hand_), Aridaus, Philotas.

STRATO.

King! I came to the soldier who had taken the prince and demanded the prince's sword from him in your name. But hear how n.o.bly the soldier refused! "The king," he said, "must not take the sword from me! It is a good sword, and I shall use it in his service. I must also keep a remembrance of this deed. By the G.o.ds, it was none of my least! The prince is a young demon. But perhaps you wish only the precious hilt!"

And on this, before I could prevent it, his strong hand had broken off the hilt, and throwing it contemptuously before my feet--"There it is,"

he continued, "what care I for your gold?"

ARIDaUS.

O Strato, make good for me what this man has done!

STRATO.

I have done so. And here is one of your swords!

ARIDaUS.