Poems by George Pope Morris Part 53

HAROLD.

The mult.i.tude crowd every avenue to the palace, and the chateau of the countess; and the royal guards are under arms to preserve the public peace.

KING.

So, so, so, so--

COUNTESS.

O Heaven! what will become of us?

KING (proudly.) Have you not the king's protection? I will appear among my children, who are so apprehensive about my safety, that they sometimes forget themselves, and become a little unruly. They will be satisfied when they hear and see their father. (Seeing the COUNTESS look dejected.) Do not droop madam; your GUILTY SON shall have a fair and impartial trial. (Taking her hand--To ALBERT sternly.) Look to it, sir; for if you fail, you know what follows! (Exit FREDERICK and COUNTESS--Immense cheering and beating of drums without.)

WEDGEWOOD.

Bravo! He's a trump.--Bless me! a popular commotion!--No matter--I am crier of the court! Let me catch any of the little boys making a noise in the halls of justice--that's all! I'll make the king himself mind his P's and Q's, if he dares to interfere with OUR grave deliberations! I will act as becomes my station. His Majesty has a jewel in me, and I'll convince him that authority in my hands is a knock-down argument--so-fist-ically odd!

SONG--WEDGEWOOD.

That law's the perfection of reason, No one in his senses denies; Yet here is a trial for treason Will puzzle the wigs of the wise.

The lawyers who bring on the action On one single point will agree, Though proved to their own satisfaction That tweedle-dum's NOT tweedle-dee!

To settle disputes, in a fury The sword from the scabbard we draw; But reason appeals to a jury, And settles--according to law.

Then hey for the woolsack!--for never Without it can nations be free; But trial by jury for ever!

And for tyranny--fiddle-de-dee!

[Exit.

Scene the last.

Discovered. The whole stage is thrown open, and represents the Hall of the Palace at Potsdam, arranged as a court-room. On a carpeted platform is the royal seat of state, occupied by three JUDGES. On the right and left of them are cus.h.i.+oned seats for the KING and his retinue, and OFFICERS of state. In front of the judgement-seat is a large center-table, on which are various law-books and the Prussian Vase. Around the table are suitable places for the ADVOCATES in the cause. On each side are elevated benches, occupied by the GIRLS of the Factory, behind whom are stationed platoons of the ROYAL GUARDS. At the end of the benches on the right is the jury-box, with twelve JURORS, and the desk of the CRIER, on which is a small mallet. Around the whole stage is a large gallery, crowded with the CITIZENS of Potsdam.--The entire scene is intended to represent an English Criminal Court of Law of the olden time, in full costume, with scarlet robes, ermine gowns, etc.--The following CHARACTERS are discovered in their respective places: BARON ALTENBERG, the ATTORNEY-GENERAL and ADVOCATE for the crown; the WORKMEN of the Factory, as WITNESSES; the JAILOR, HANS, GERTRUDE, HAROLD, and CORPORAL; COUNT LANISKA, guarded, attended by the COUNTESS and FREDERICA; SOPHIA MANSFIELD, guarded, and attended by Factory-GIRLS; ALBERT, as ADVOCATE for the PRISONERS, and WEDGEWOOD, as CRIER of the Court; OFFICERS of state, LADIES of the Court, PORTERS of the Hall, and the KING.--This scene is accompanied by the ORCHESTRA.--Music as the scene opens--

CHORUS.

With mercy let justice To mortals be given, For Justice and Mercy Are twin-born in heaven!

(As BARON ALTENBERG rises, WEDGEWOOD says, in a subdued tone of voice, and very respectfully.)

WEDGEWOOD.

Silence in the court!

ALTENBERG.

May it please your lords.h.i.+ps, these facts are not denied: the inscription in the handwriting of the count; his free access to the factory; his frequent use of the word TYRANT when speaking of the king; his earnest interest in the Saxon maid; her love for the count, and her opposition to the will of our most gracious sovereign for allotting her to the overseer as his bride: and they all unite in establis.h.i.+ng their crime, the punishment of which is DEATH. Had not His Majesty chanced to wipe off, with his own handkerchief, the blue paint which concealed the word TYRANT, the vase would have been sent to Paris, the king and people disgraced, and the criminals safe in Saxony. Yes, gentlemen (to the JURY,) this splendid ornament, which is to be known to all future ages as "The Prussian Vase," is defaced with the treasonable inscription--"To Frederick the Great Tyrant."

KING (rising in excitement, and forgetting himself.) Yes, soldiers and subjects, friends and children, this word is applied to ME--to your FATHER--by these base ingrates here!--

CHORUS Shame, shame, shame!

Long live the king! etc.

WEDGEWOOD (in a commanding tone, and striking the desk with his mallet.) Silence in the court, or I'll put you in the stocks, juvenile delinquents and all!

What an odd people!

KING.

I beg the indulgence of your lords.h.i.+ps for my infirmities of temper. Let the cause proceed. (Takes his seat.)

JUDGE.

The case for the crown, gentlemen, is fully before you, and is submitted in the confidence that you will discharge your duty faithfully.

KING (again forgetting himself.) Ay, discharge your duty faithfully!

WEDGEWOOD (with great authority rapping on the desk.) Silence in the court, Your Majesty!

JUDGE.

Let the counsel for the prisoners now proceed.

ALBERT.

Place Karl in the witness-box.

(Enter KARL and HAROLD.)

SOLO and CHORUS.

KARL.

What outrage more, at whose command Am I thus shackled and restrained?-- What mockery's this? In this free land The subject's rights should be maintained.

CHORUS.

The traitor braves the king's command!

KARL.

Those whom the lion would ensnare, Should of his reckless fangs beware!

The forest-monarch, held at bay, Will turn and spring upon his prey!

CHORUS.

Thus bold will guilt full oft appear!-- The sword of Justice let HIM fear!

WEDGEWOOD (as KARL is placed in the witness-box.) Silence in the court!

CHORUS.

With mercy let justice To mortals be given; For Mercy and Justice Are twin-borne of heaven.

KARL.

Why am I summoned here against my will?

ALBERT.

You are here to answer, not to question, sirrah!