[_He ponders_.]

NATALIE. What is it?

THE PRINCE. I'll know soon now what I shall write to him.

NATALIE (_painfully_).
Homburg!

THE PRINCE (_taking up his pen_)
Yes, dear. What is it?

NATALIE. Sweetest friend!
I prize the impulse that upstirred your heart;
But this I swear to you: the regiment
Has been detailed, whose muskets are to sound
At dawn the reconciling burial rite
Above the grave where your dead body lies.
If you cannot resist the law's decree,
Nor, noble as you are, do what he asks
Here in this letter to repeal it, then
I do assure you he will loftily
Accept the situation, and fulfil
The sentence on the morrow ruthlessly.

THE PRINCE (_writing_).
No matter!

NATALIE. What? No matter?

THE PRINCE. Let him do
What his soul bids. I must do what I must.

NATALIE (_approaching him frightened_).
Oh, terrible! You are not writing there?

THE PRINCE (_concluding_).
"Homburg!" And dated, "Fehrbellin, the twelfth."
So, it's all ready. Frank!

[_He closes and seals the letter_.]

NATALIE. Dear God in heaven!

THE PRINCE (_rising_).
Here, take this to the Castle to my liege!

[_The lackey goes out_.]

I will not face man who faces me
So nobly, with a knave's ignoble front!
Guilt, heavy guilt, upon my conscience weighs,
I fully do confess. Can he but grant
Forgiveness, when I contest for it,
I do not care a straw for any pardon.

NATALIE (_kissing him_).
This kiss, for me! And though twelve bullets made
You dust this instant, I could not resist
Caroling, sobbing, crying: Thus you please me!
However, since you follow your heart's lead,
I may be pardoned if I follow mine.
Count Reuss!

[_The footman opens the door. The_ COUNT _enters_.]

REUSS. Here!

NATALIE. Go, and bear the note I gave
Post-haste to Arnstein and to Colonel Kottwitz!
The regiment shall march, our liege directs.
Ere midnight I shall look to see it here!

[_Exeunt omnes_.]

ACT V

_Scene: a hall in the Castle._

SCENE I

_The_ ELECTOR, _scantily clad, enters from the adjoining chamber,
followed by_ COUNT TRUCHSZ, COUNT HOHENZOLLERN, _and_ CAPTAIN VON DER
GOLZ. _Pages with lights_.

ELECTOR. Kott